On Thursday, Splice announced "the release of the John Legend: Ordinary People Piano, bringing the piano sound at the heart of Legend’s celebrated ballad “Ordinary People” to Splice INSTRUMENT. Known for its warmth, intimacy, and soul, his grand piano has been a cornerstone of John Legend’s canon. For the first time, music producers everywhere can play this distinctive sound and shape it into their own musical stories."
“Sometimes people just want that natural, raw sound of an acoustic instrument, and pianos, they’re undefeated,” said John Legend. “These songs I’ve recorded with the piano have become an iconic part of my identity as an artist. I hope when a producer loads this piano sound, they’ll feel connected to the music that inspired it, and that it inspires them to create their own story.”
Splice CEO, Kakul Srivastava commented: “Being able to combine John’s artistry, the quality and precision of the Spitfire Audio recording technology, and Splice innovation has been powerful. This is a new frontier in music creation and a model for how creators of all expertise can collaborate with the artists who inspire them, and it’s only just the beginning.”
"Splice employed Spitfire Audio’s award-winning recording techniques to capture the same piano heard on the chart-topping hit 'Ordinary People,'" a statement reads. "Working closely with Legend, the team recorded and mixed using the same vintage mics, classic studio desk, and signal chain as the original release. Each multi-sampled preset is a faithful recreation of Legend’s signature tone. A total of six—Close, Ultra Close, Pop Close, Ribbon Mics, Room Mics, and the Ordinary People Piano are available to Splice INSTRUMENT subscribers."
“John’s piano sound has a timeless quality, rich in soul, vibe and emotion,” said Spitfire Audio Co-Founder Paul Thomson. “Being able to offer a signature sound like this was always an important part of the plan for INSTRUMENT. Producers will find inspiration in being able to play the sound that has defined so many iconic songs, and shape their own stories with the same character and depth - using the same magical signal path. The reaction to INSTRUMENT so far has been incredibly encouraging, and we have an exciting roadmap of features to come.”
"The release comes as John Legend begins the North American leg of his 'Get Lifted 20th Anniversary World Tour,'" they continue. "The tour showcases a set list celebrating the entirety of his groundbreaking debut album Get Lifted, which garnered eight nominations and won three Grammy Awards at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for 'Ordinary People,' Best R&B Album for Get Lifted, and Best New Artist."
Included in the John Legend: Ordinary People Piano Pack (directly from Splice)
- Ordinary People Piano: The definitive blend of all mic perspectives, EQ’d and compressed to recreate the iconic sound of “Ordinary People”
- Ultra Close: Intimate and detailed, captured with tube condenser mics on the hammers through vintage preamps for a warm, tactile response.
- Pop Close: A bright, punchy close mix using vintage tube mics to capture the stereo field and classic ribbon mics under the lid for modern pop clarity.
- Ribbon Mics: Smooth and vintage-sounding, blending vintage bi-directional ribbon microphones both outside and under the lid for natural warmth and softness.
- Room Mics: Open and spacious, with the highest-quality condenser mic placed three metres from the piano for an airy, full-bodied ambience.
"The launch follows Splice’s debut of INSTRUMENT, built on Spitfire Audio’s technical and sonic innovation. INSTRUMENT combines professional-quality recordings, an intuitive interface, multi-sampled presets, and full MIDI playability in a dynamic, ever-evolving experience."
"To celebrate the launch of John Legend’s Splice INSTRUMENT and the Get Lifted 20th Anniversary Tour, Splice will host a social competition encouraging creators to craft a musical tribute video inspired by Get Lifted for a chance to win a VIP package and Meet & Greet at upcoming tour dates in November and December."
The John Legend: Ordinary People Piano pack is available now for Splice INSTRUMENT at splice.com/instrument/signature-artists/john-legend
