John Legend's Iconic Piano Sound from 'Ordinary People' Now Available on Splice
John Legend is bringing the iconic piano sound from his Grammy-winning breakout single 'Ordinary People' to Splice, the company announced on Thursday. This move marks a significant collaboration between the renowned musician and the leading music production platform.
Splice, known for its innovative music production tools, recently launched its virtual instrument platform, Splice Instrument. This launch comes just two weeks after the company introduced Splice Instrument and approximately six months after acquiring Spitfire Audio for a reported $50 million. The acquisition of Spitfire Audio further solidified Splice's commitment to providing high-quality audio resources.
In collaboration with Spitfire Audio, Splice meticulously captured recordings from John Legend's Yamaha C7 baby grand piano, which he played on 'Ordinary People' in 2004. The recording process involved using the same microphones and signal chain as the original recording to ensure an authentic and raw piano sound. Legend's statement emphasizes the appeal of acoustic instruments, particularly pianos, for their natural and raw sound.
'Sometimes people just want that natural, raw sound of an acoustic instrument, and pianos are truly unmatched,' Legend said. 'These piano-recorded songs have become an integral part of my artistic identity. I hope producers will connect with the music that inspired this sound and use it to create their own unique stories.'
At launch, Splice Instrument included presets from renowned artists like Philip Glass and Paul McCartney's drummer, Abe Laboriel Jr. However, John Legend's addition to the platform is particularly notable due to his high-profile status and distinct musical style. Splice plans to expand its high-profile instrument downloads in the coming months and also enhance its AI capabilities in the new year.
'Combining John's artistic brilliance, the exceptional quality and precision of Spitfire Audio's recording technology, and Splice's innovation has been truly remarkable,' said Splice CEO Kakul Srivastava. 'This collaboration marks a new frontier in music creation and sets a precedent for how creators can collaborate with the artists they admire. It's just the beginning of what we can achieve.'
John Legend's partnership with Splice coincides with the 20th anniversary of his debut album, 'Get Lifted,' released in December 2004. The singer is currently on the North American leg of the 'Get Lifted' anniversary tour, performing in Houston on Thursday. The tour celebrates the enduring impact of his music.
'John's piano sound possesses a timeless quality, rich in soul, vibe, and emotion,' said Paul Thomson, co-founder of Spitfire Audio. 'Offering a signature sound like this was a crucial part of our plan for Splice Instrument. Producers will find inspiration in playing the sound that has defined iconic songs and shaping their own stories with character and depth. The positive response to Splice Instrument has been encouraging, and we have an exciting roadmap of features to introduce.'
This collaboration between John Legend and Splice not only enhances the platform's offerings but also provides producers with a unique opportunity to access the iconic piano sound from 'Ordinary People.' As Splice continues to innovate, it promises to empower creators and artists to collaborate and create music that resonates with audiences worldwide.
