Spitfire Audio Launches Château Piano Plugin Featuring Iconic Steinway B

Spitfire Audio has introduced a new audio plugin, the Château Piano, which captures the renowned sound of the 1901 Steinway B piano from Strawberry Studios. This legendary instrument, favored by music icons such as Elton John and David Bowie, can now be accessed by musicians worldwide from their digital audio workstations (DAWs).

The Château Piano plugin meticulously samples the iconic Steinway B, recorded on-site at the historic Le Château d’Hérouville, home to Strawberry Studios. This location, known for its 18th-century architecture and rich musical history, adds an authentic touch to the sound. The sampling took place in the studio’s George Sand live room, utilizing a blend of valve and condenser microphones, including the highly-regarded Neumann U67 condenser mics. These were positioned in the same way as during Elton John‘s original sessions for hits like “Rocket Man,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” and “Candle in the Wind.”

Unique Features of the Château Piano Plugin

The Château Piano plugin offers users the ability to blend eight individual signals, allowing for a versatile sound palette. Musicians can experiment with various effects, including analogue tape processing, compression, chorus, and high and low-pass filters. Additionally, the plugin features 37 presets, catering to a range of sonic preferences from gritty, overdriven textures to warm, lush tones.

This plugin not only reproduces the sound of the famous Steinway B but also captures the essence of the studio itself. Thierry Garacino, the owner of Strawberry Studios, emphasizes the significance of the location, stating, “They all told us, if they had made this record elsewhere, it wouldn’t have been the same. They wouldn’t have written these arrangements – it was the Château that inspired them.”

With a history steeped in the creativity of the 1970s music scene, Strawberry Studios has been likened to “France’s Abbey Road.” Both Bowie and John recorded several albums at this iconic location, with John even naming his 1972 album, “Honky Château,” after the studio itself.

Availability and Pricing

The Château Piano plugin is currently available for a promotional price of £103, which will soon increase to £129. It is compatible with both macOS and Windows, making it accessible for a broad range of users. As Garacino notes, just a few chords played through the plugin evoke the unmistakable sound associated with Elton John, promising to inspire a new generation of musicians.

Spitfire Audio’s latest offering not only pays homage to a rich musical legacy but also empowers modern creators to harness the unique character of a legendary instrument from the comfort of their own studios.