micing grand piano

[deepwater]

Micing Grand Piano

I need to record a grand piano and accustic guitar. Would the Rode NT5s and MXL603s be good mics. I don't want to send over $300.00 and would like to have something well rounded. Like the NT5s and 603s.

I can get the NT5s for $275.00 or the MXL 603s for around $150.00

Is there a bid differance in the two?


Then there's the Shure KSM 109

 

[deepwater]

I know somebody's done this before

 

[Han]

Yep, and there has been quite some discussion on the subject, even recently.

That's why forums have a search function in the upper bar.

If you have specific questions, please do come back.

 

[BrettB]

It depend on the style of music.

For a more classical approach, I would go for two Large membran condensors left-right panned (one on the lower part of the piano, on at the upper part) and an extra small membrane condensorr at the end of the wing.

The closer you get to the hammers, the more rock/honkey-tonk it will be, don't set them to close if you want a more classical, room sound.

 

[Han]

Don't forget that the grand piano is one of the most difficult instruments to record and indeed much depends on the sound you're after.

Many classic piano recordings suck big time, soundqualitywise that is.

 

[deepwater]

I found this on a search and the recording sounded wonderful. Do you think I could get the good result w/ 2 AKG3000b's that I have or a pair Rode NT5s.


Here's what works for me, most of the time:
Using 2 mics, (in this case it was a pair of TLM 103's)
One mike was set about 15" behind the pin block and about 8" above the strings around 1-1/3 octaves below middle C. The other was about 9" behind the pin block and about 4" above the strings around 1-1/3 octaves above middle C. The mic faces were angled in about 12 degrees toward each other. The lid was in the full up position.

 

[Han]

You can make decent sounding piano recordings with a pair of C3000's, not great, but decent.

If you have to make the piano cut through a dense mix, you'll need another sound than when recording a classical piano nocturne by Frederic Chopin.

The latter will have to sound like the piano in the room. You will need a great sounding piano and a great sounding room. If you have that, you will have to make a choice out of AB recordings with hi quality omni mics, an MS pair of hi end mics, an ORTF pair of hi end SDC's like Schoeps, a DIN or NOS placement with the same SDC's.

You will understand that it needs a lot of experience and skill to make a killer sounding recording of a really great grand piano.

If youhave to make a recording for a rock song, start with the method as you pointed to in your last post (with the TLM103's) and do it with the C3000's.

An ORTF pair of 603's right behind the hammers at a foot high will be a good starting point too.

 

[deepwater]

Thanks, I'm going to purchase a pair of 603s or Nt5s. For the money will it make a differance. I'm going to record some accustic guitar too.


I think the Joemeeks version of the 603 rumored to be a little better than the 603s

 

[Treeline]

Here's the other recent grand piano thread.

http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=122878