Keane Backline Q&A

What is the You Haven't Told Me Anything rhythm synth?

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:53:01 +0000

What kind of synth or hardware does Richard use to play the electronic rhythm part of You Haven't Told Me Anything at the beginning and end of the song when playing live?

What types of vocal mics does Tom use?

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:38:26 +0000

What type(s) of vocal mics does Tom use, both in the studio and for live shows?

What organ sound did Keane use for Hamburg Song?

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:13:17 +0000

I'm a fan from Chile and I like to play Keane's songs in my Yamaha PSR-E403. In Hamburg Song (album version or live versions), what kind of synth did they use to make the organ sound?

What wireless system do Keane use for their guitars and bass?

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:57:00 +0000

Do you know what kind of wireless mic system Tom and Jesse are using for their guitars and bass?

What settings do Keane use on their Yamaha CP-70 when playing live?

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:44:45 +0000

I recently got a Yamaha CP70 electric piano and I'm interested to know what would be suitable settings for live performances. What settings and effects do Keane use (e.g reverb, chorus)?

What kind of stool does Tim use at the CP70?

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:31:59 +0000

Possibly not directly related to gear, but what kind of chair does Tim sit on it when he playing live?

Which piano provides the distorted sounds during A Bad Dream live?

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:30:00 +0000

Which piano is used to play the distorted solo sound during live performances of A Bad Dream - Tim's, Tom's or both?

Why has Richard switched to using Zildjian cymbals?

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:15:00 +0000

I've noticed that Richard has switched some (all?) of his cymbals from Sabian to Zildjian. Do you have any insight as to why he made the move?

What model of Telecaster does Tom play?

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:14:00 +0000

I know that Tom's electric guitar is a Fender Telecaster, but do you know which type/model he's using?

How does Tim get the distorted sound out of his piano?

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:40:00 +0000

I've been wondering how Tim gets the distorted sound out of his piano in A Bad Dream, Is It Any Wonder? & Crystal Ball. What sort of pedal is he using?

What were the laptops used for during the Under The Iron Sea tour?

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:46:00 +0000

What exactly did the laptops do during the UTIS tour? I always saw them on-stage but wasn't sure what they did because Tim never touched them or pressed any keys - were they there for show only?

Are Keane really playing everything live?

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:01:00 +0000

The band have recently said that they're finally ditching the laptop and playing every song the old fashioned way - on their instruments. But I'm a bit unsure about this - for instance, how am I still hearing bass guitar when they perform Spiralling live? Neither Jesse nor Tim seem to be responsible for playing it - is this some big farce?

Where does the sound of the Rhodes piano come from?

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 11:07:19 +0000

During 2004 and 2005 live concerts, I knew that Tim used a Yamaha S90-ES for the Rhodes piano sound. I'd like to know if the Rhodes sound used on songs like Sunshine, Try Again and She Has No Time is the factory preset sound of the Yamaha S90-ES, or if it is a sampled Rhodes sound via MIDI using Kontakt? If so, do you know what kind of Rhodes sample library Tim is using?

What soundcard and speakers does Tim use for the laptop?

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:55:43 +0000

What kind of soundcard does Tim use for audio playback from the laptop and what kind of speakers does he use?

What does Jesse play live during Spiralling?

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:51:17 +0000

I was just wondering what instrument (or device) Jesse was playing when Keane played Spiralling live on the Jonathan Ross show?