Applying Harvery's Guitar Advice To A Piano?

[ghetto3jon]

hello. in the gerst pdf, he discusses the difference of micing an acoustic guitar for a solo performance, and when the acoustic is going to be part of a band...basically, in order for an acoustic guitar to stick out in a rock mix, it has the be very bright and mic'd at the bridge...which may not sound the best on it's own, but it cuts in the mix.

this weekend i'll be recording a piano in a very dense rock song (think flaming lips, or some of the heavier wilco material..and it's an overdub, so isolation is not an issue). now i'm wondering, should i take the same approach to the piano in order for it to cut in the mix? perhaps mic the through to top (mxl-603), we're i've heard is a very bright spot? i'm using a friend of a friends piano (which is a very well maintained upright), and i won't have a lot of time to experiment...so i'm doing as much research as i can before i get there. also, since it is a remote recording environment, i'll only be using one mxl-603 through a single channel strip (tube preamp, compressor) into a powerbook...i know one mic is not ideal, but i don't have tons of time with the piano, so i'm bringing a simplified setup.

thanks!

 

[Alexbt]

Yup, you're correct.

I've only miced a grand piano before, but doing an upright is basically the same but in a different shape.

If you're only using one mic, yes, you should probably place it above the piano in the middle with the top open. It should be close to the opening, but not in the piano, unless that's what you're looking for.

Play around with placement a bit to get the sound you want, but be warned, many upright pianos (or at least the ones I've dealt with, which is majorly Kawai) are not as bright as grand pianos and lack attack.

If by chance you can get a second channel going, a stereo pair would be ideal, and do an XY/either side of the top.

Good luck!

 

[ghetto3jon]

i have another mxl-603, but because it is a remote session, it's tough. i don't really want to unrack any preamps or compressors from my studio, but i do have a single channel strip thing with a preamp and compressor in one...so one mic is a piece of cake...but going stereo would involve bringing a lot more gear. and also, i'm really looking for a bright, mono piano sound that would cut in a dense mix...so i'm not that concerned with stereo imagery, or accuracy.

thanks for the advice.