The instruments recorded for the Abbey Road Keyboards ReFill all have a unique history of their own.
A majority of the instruments captured here are the actual instruments used on numerous classic Abbey Road recordings. In a few cases where the original instrument had gone missing or simply weren't for hire, identical instruments similar in age and tone were used.
Steinway Upright - the Mrs. Mills piano
A bright, wonderfully out-of-tune upright piano with lacquered hammers that give it a distinct, tack-piano sound. Its very special tuning, or lack thereof, adds a natural chorus effect to its tone. Purchased by Abbey Road in the 1950s, this piano has been played by many famous hands.
Audio examples - Mrs. Mills
Mrs. Mills sample 1
Mrs. Mills sample 2
Challen Studio Piano
Studio Two's slightly mellow, warm sounding upright has a dark tone and incredible sustain. Built in the 1930s, this piano looks just as old as it sounds. Which is downright beautiful.
Audio examples - Challen
Challen sample 1
Challen sample 2
Hammond RT-3
This Hammond RT-3, property of Abbey Road since the 1960s, is similar to the classic Hammond B3 organ, only bigger in size and packing more features. The majority of the featured RT-3 patches were recorded through a king-size Leslie Model 122 speaker, for that true Hammond sound.
Audio examples - RT-3
Hammond sample 1
Hammond sample 2
Mannborg Harmonium
An entirely acoustic, manually powered reed organ which uses pedal driven air pumps to generate sound. The Harmonium has a soft attack and swelling, drone-like sound.
Audio examples - RT-3
Harmonium sample 1
Harmonium sample 2
Schiedmayer Celeste
An orchestral keyboard instrument with a warm, bell-like tone. Although played using mallets, the Celeste is a surprisingly quiet instrument. Recorded properly, however, it can sound amazingly expressive. The Schiedmayer Celeste is one of the oldest instruments in the Abbey Road arsenal.
Audio examples - Celeste
Celeste sample 1
Celeste sample 2
Mellotron M400
The Mellotron, a tape based version of todays digital sampler, was popular among fearless experimental musicians in the 60s and 70s. Sampled here are the Flute, Cello and String tape banks, as used in Abbey Road's Mellotron in the 1960s.
Audio examples - Mellotron
Mellotron flute sample
Mellotron cello sample
Mellotron strings sample
Mellotron combi sample
Premier Tubular Bells
An orchestral percussion instrument made up of hollow metal tubes mounted on a frame. Tuned and laid out like a keyboard instrument, these bells will add a distinctive 60s feel to your tracks.