Hey

I have listened to a lot of the live ELton John stuff and Elton’s piano has a very clear sound with amazing dynamics.

Would anyone be able to advise me how to maybe tweak one of my existing presets to achieve the Elton John sound?

The track attached will you give you an idea of what im looking for.

Thanks

17 - Sad Songs - Elton John - Tour 2010 - Live in Linz - 19.06.2010.mp3  (File Size: 12245KB - Downloads: 1387)

sorry you can’t get this piano sound because is patented.

Yamaha advised me to ask through motifator

Nick W - 18 August 2010 12:43 PM

Hey

I have listened to a lot of the live ELton John stuff and Elton’s piano has a very clear sound with amazing dynamics.

Would anyone be able to advise me how to maybe tweak one of my existing presets to achieve the Elton John sound?

The track attached will you give you an idea of what im looking for.

Thanks

Roland MKS20 + Acoustic Piano.

Elton John is playing a Yamaha acoustic piano for his 2010 tour. It’s either a CFIIIs or a C7 (more likely). You already have the CFIIIs in your XS. Now obviously you won’t be able to get it to sound exactly the same as there is A LOT of other things going on besides just miking up the piano but you should be able to get pretty close. The easiest way is to start with a voice that has a similar characteristic and work from there. If you’re just familiarizing yourself with the Motif then you’ll have to study up on what makes a voice a voice. There are a number of tutorials located in the articles section of this site that will help you better understand the architecture of the board. You can start with this one:

http://www.motifator.com/index.php/support/view/motif_xs_full_concert_grand

and this one:

http://www.motifator.com/index.php/support/view/learning_to_customize_piano_voices_to_your_playing_style

Thanks very much mate

Well, actually Elton sound is very difficult to achieve, but not impossible.

That punchy sound you hear in the concerts doesn’t come from the acoustic piano he carries (a well-known CFIII). This sound (very rock sound) comes from two main systems: Roland MKS-20 piano module and from a Motif (or Motif ES)rack. Obviously, EQ’s and other effects are in there as well, and maybe that’s the most complicated part to achieve… that’s why sound engineers exist ;-)

I have this module, and in combination with FullConcertGrand from my ES, you would say that it’s Elton playing in your room (except for the piano skills :-) )

The Yamaha CFIII acoustic piano you see in the concerts is actually MIDI-ed and is used as a Master Controller for the two main modules. No sound comes directly from it. I can assure you that. (Have you ever seen micro’s plugged to his piano in a Elton John concert… never!)

Before Motif rack was released, Elton (or Elton team) used to have an Alesis NanoPiano module plus Roland MKS-20 module. Always that Roland piano is present. It has a very characteristic sound and I personally love it.

In 1992 Elton John DVD concert in Barcelona, you can clearly see that Elton is playing a Roland RD-1000, which is the Piano version of Roland MKS-20.

Just a recommendation: for THAT particular Elton John sound, you NEED the Roland MKS-20 module. In the final mix, I would say that 70% of the sound is coming from MKS-20 and the rest is coming from the Motif rack.

And you’ll notice that instantly if you try it! For sure!

very interesting thanks

Just listen to this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNqF64zveAo

A Roland MKS-20 mixed with Motif ES piano voice. Doesn’t it sound so Elton?

Just get the Yamaha Elton John’s Signature Red Piano.

http://www.yamaha.com/red_piano

bit expensive for me haha

That does sound like him! make me that patch haha!

DmitryKo - 18 August 2010 02:45 PM

Just get the Yamaha Elton John’s Signature Red Piano.

http://www.yamaha.com/red_piano

Again, even though he buy this piano, he would never get that sound, just because the simple fact that the sound is not coming from any acoustic piano.

Alejandro, ever heard about the concept of humor, better known as ”humour” in the Land of the Prince-Tyrant? :)

Yes, of course… :-)

My intention maybe was only to emphasize it, just in case someone missed something.

No probs. ;-)

alejandro - 18 August 2010 02:33 PM

Just a recommendation: for THAT particular Elton John sound, you NEED the Roland MKS-20 module. In the final mix, I would say that 70% of the sound is coming from MKS-20 and the rest is coming from the Motif rack.

Alejandro:  I also use the MKS20 with my Motif XS for the Elton sound.  So you mix it about 70%/30% MKS20 to Motif...would you be willing to share with us the EQ and Chorus settings for the MKS20 patch you use (I assume you also use Piano 1 patch on the MKS20).  These settings make a huge difference in the MKS20’s sound.  Many thanks!