Nils Frahm's warm piano sound - Our Own Roof

[mewthree]

https://open.spotify.com/track/5s1XCybLuPVdF1XgQgFtoB

I know describing it won't help so here is a link for you to listen to. This small, warm piano sound. How do you get this?

Also i like the vibe of the song. What is that instrument in the background? A cello? Violin? What's the technique it uses? It's like it has lots of reverb on. What do you think? I'm especially keen on piano.

[mcbpete]

Here's the soundcloud version for those like me without spotify:

https://soundcloud.com/erasedtapes/nils ... r-own-roof

The piano itself is close mic'd to the keys hence them being the major part of the piano sound - then rounded off nicely with that lovely bass pad. But yeah the technique of the violin is Ponticello or Sul Pont (I think) i.e. bowing near the bridge:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDEwJXPl01w

Lovely track, Nils Frahm is just mmmmmmm !

[mewthree]

thanks for providing the soundcloud. for some reason i've failed to find the link you've given.

another example of such piano sound: https://soundcloud.com/dnonkong/sets/so ... s-table-s3

[imrae]

No idea if it's the same setup as that recording, but I found this photo of Nihls interesting:
https://twitter.com/maryannehobbs/statu ... 7435118592

So the grand piano is being close-miked with a spaced pair of large condensers, but also an SM57 pointing at the metal frame? Is that a common technique? I suspect that microphone will give some control over boxy warmth, but would have to try it to be sure!

[enroe]

... this photo of Nihls interesting:
https://twitter.com/maryannehobbs/statu ... 7435118592

Maybe the warmth comes from the toilet brush?

[Chris-S]

Definitely.

Also Nils is known to do a lot of processing/FX to the piano sound.

[imrae]

He's mastered a fair number of records as well https://www.allmusic.com/artist/nils-fr ... 49/credits. I suspect he has a decent grasp of EQ by now

[AstroCastro]

I was hearing a harp the whole time and waiting for piano to starts playing...