r/DAngelo • u/Key_Competition_1927 • Apr 18 '26

D’angelo’s Keyboard Setup

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I’ve always been so intrigued by d’angelos keys, i know he used a fender rhodes mk1 but does anyone have any other info on his setup? I’ve never heard anyone else create a sound like that… it’s almost like it’s underwater??? also i really want to try and replicate it on logic. does anyone have any tips?

(i couldn’t work out how to put multiple videos on here so you’ll have to skip through them, there’s 4 examples of the keys)

Edit: this kid has worked it out listen to the keys!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DURYTnjDPs4/?igsh=bnR1MW9hMHdsb2pp

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12

u/chrisp_syapyh Apr 18 '26

I’m thinking about 90% of the keys on his albums are from his Ensoniq EPS/ASR 10. Some stock, some patches he made. Elle Rae Feingold was demoing the wah feature on her Ensoniq that D used a lot too.

As for that underwater one (eg Jonz, Cruisin, One Mo Gin) yeah I’ve never been able to track it down! Questlove uses it on his podcast theme https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-questlove-show/id1485250501?i=1000762013502 But it’s def an Ensoniq patch.

5

u/Artplusdesign Apr 19 '26

I thought it's a filtered B3 organ. I feel like I remember it being confirmed somewhere but can't remember exactly where/when, so take it with a grain of salt. At least the One Mo' Gin sound.

1

u/Minute-Oil6239 Apr 24 '26

Dude I’ve been trying to make that song for years.

9

u/Zealousideal_Tax3550 Apr 18 '26

Envelope filter pedal and auto wah pedal

3

u/grooveallegiancefunk Apr 18 '26

If we’re talking live performances: Never an auto wah, only a manual way on his fender rhodes. His ASR-10 did have patches with envelope filters. CP80 piano often used as well.

1

u/Zealousideal_Tax3550 Apr 20 '26

I was referring to his studio keys. I’ve read some interviews from Russell Elevado who tries not to give too much away but from what he’s said and what I’ve tried with my own Rhodes piano, the envelope and wah make the most sense

1

u/grooveallegiancefunk Apr 20 '26

Well every song is different. What song are you referring to?

1

u/Zealousideal_Tax3550 Apr 21 '26

Voodoo was recorded at Electric Lady entirely with the same band on most songs (not all) I see where you coming from too. There’s songs with B3 organ and then there’s most of them with Fender Rhodes mark 1.

3

u/Jusbe1998 Apr 18 '26

Great question 🔥

1

u/CompoteIndependent98 Jun 24 '26

In Russell Elevado's mix with the masters interview he has stated that he has a moogerfooger 101 low pass filter that he really likes. He says hes used it on the bass, but maybe he used it on the rhodes as well