recording piano

serfx · Post by **serfx** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 10:36 pm

hello friends, it has been a while since i've done anything involving a piano.
where would be the best possible locations to mic it and what kind of mics?
i was thinking overheads..
it is a similar style piano to this:

but not that one.. (i don't have a camera with me atm)

thoughts? ideas?
advise? aside from get new microphones, and don't record the piano like i record my voice on the shortscale comps..

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 10:44 pm

you'll want two mics in order to pick up all the strings, and put them round the back.

like so:

you might have to experiment with distance, but i think 12-18" is ballpark.

James · Post by **James** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 10:46 pm

It's called an 'upright piano'. Do a google search for 'recording upright piano' and you get plenty of results to get you started.

James · Post by **James** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 10:47 pm

I've not seen this site before but it seems useful.

http://www.wikirecording.org/Guide_to_Recording_Pianos

serfx · Post by **serfx** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 11:20 pm

stewart wrote:you'll want two mics in order to pick up all the strings, and put them round the back.

like so:

you might have to experiment with distance, but i think 12-18" is ballpark.

considering the back is currently up against a wall, and not much chance of me being able to convince my folks i need to move it so i can record some dooney off beat piano..

serfx · Post by **serfx** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 11:20 pm

James wrote:I've not seen this site before but it seems useful.

http://www.wikirecording.org/Guide_to_Recording_Pianos

thanks James.
much appreciated

johnniespring · Post by **johnniespring** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 10:41 pm

serfx wrote:
stewart wrote:you'll want two mics in order to pick up all the strings, and put them round the back.

like so:

you might have to experiment with distance, but i think 12-18" is ballpark.
considering the back is currently up against a wall, and not much chance of me being able to convince my folks i need to move it so i can record some dooney off beat piano..

not necessarily. you don't have to follow accepted wisdom. an alternative is to find a place that the piano sounds good and put a mic there. record it and see if it sounds good. a mic somewhere near the players head can sound good, but like acoustic guitar the sound of the instrument, the mic used and the song you want to record can make or break the sound.