Comments on my shopping list

[fingerbreaker]

I've narrowed down some tentative choices for gear to do home recording of solo piano. I'm looking for any feedback, but particularly with respect to what the weak links are. For example, if I'm driving a Lexus with Sofia Vergara in the passenger seat I don't want a Spandau Ballet CD playing.

Style of music: a variety ranging from softer ballads to upbeat jazz to downright rowdy ragtime
Piano: 7' Schimmel grand
Mics: 2 AKG C414 XLS and 1 AKG C3000B
Preamp: Studio Projects SP828
Recorder: Zoom R16

I already have the C3000B (and the piano). Basically the thought process with the rest of the wish list was that the mics were proven and flexible, the zoom is a good value and allows for simultaneous track recording and can interface with a DAW on my pc for mastering. At that point I made the realization that the preamp I already own ( nady pra-8) is junk and that a good preamp is quite expensive, so I picked the SP828 more based on budget than anything.

Is the SP828 going to hold its own in this chain, or for that matter the zoom recorder? I know the zoom has 2 pre-amp channels: am I better off just using the 2 C414's to the zoom directly at this point and leaving the C3000B out of the equation?

Thanks,
fingerbreaker

 

[CrowsofFritz]

2 mics on the piano is good for me. As for the preamp you suggested, that's really less than $100 per channel. I would go for a two channel preamp around the same price range. The piano's sound, I've noticed, changes quite a bit with different mic placements. So you might want to look into what the best mic placement positions are for the genre your playing.

 

[stevieb]

Ditch the Schimmel and get a Pianosaurus.

 

[Murdersgalore]

Ditch the piano and learn guitar.

 

[cobaltaudio]

You've got a decent budget there. I wouldn't expect to need the c3000b on a piano at all. the 414's should be more than good enough!
In terms of mic amps and recording, why don't you look at the rme fireface 400 for two channels or the 800 for more?
The pre-amps and A to D's in those two are absolutely crystal clear, I wouldn't hesitate to pair them up with a grand piano.

There are other options to consider, here's an overview of a few multichannel interfaces but you'd be hard pushed to beat the fireface for value and quality.

 

[stevieb]

Seriously, the Zoom R16 can record up to 8 channels simutaniously, just hook up all three mics to the pre-amp and have a go at it. Mix and ditch as needed.