Micing Piano

[packratlouie]

Here is my situation

Condenser or Sm57>Tube Pre>Compressor(not so good)>computer

I am trying to mic a somewhat noisy piano. Noisy in the sense that the mallets like to make clicking sounds. With the front cover left on the piano , I am able to block out most of the clicking but lose alot of the tone, and with it off, it sounds like a mess. I have only tried recording it with my condenser which is an Electrovoice Pl76A (i dont know if thats good or what). I can do dual micing as well, but I was wondering if anyone had an suggestions for pre or post editing. Anything to clean up the sound and make it sound less distant and less like a tape recorder. Even mic placements, or compressions techniques. Thanks

 

[Chibi Nappa]

What kind of song? If it is loud rock, you probably won't even hear the percussive piano noise in the mix. If it is a classical solo piano, you're screwed.

If the piano is noisy, is it also out of tune?

I wouldn't use an SM57 on piano....

Is there any way you can use a better piano in a better room? Local high school or rich friend or something? The piano itself and the room it is in are the most importants aspects here.

 

[BrettB]

Use the condensor, no doubt about it.

It is normal to use two and pan them, but you can get the job done with one.

I would try to leave the clicks in! really, I recorded a piano a few weeks ago and you could here the pedal go up and down. What seemed irritating in the beginning sounded natural libvely in the mix!

'Bout placement: Close to the strings will give you a more honkey tonk and in your face sound. If you only have one mic, keep in mind that low notes have longer waves so leave a leave an inch or two between your mic and the lowest piano string

 

[Michael Jones]

Is this an upright or a grand?

 

[packratlouie]

its an upright piano, its mostly in tune, its in a bare room facing the wall, hardwood floors etc. I am playing a song with moderate dynamic changes in regards to volume, nothing too difficult. I just find that no matter how close I bring the condenser it gives me a really weird sounding output. It is going to be in a mix with some acoustic guitar, bass etc. Basically soft rock kinda stuff. Mostly the pino will be there to give overtones, not a piano solo heh. Thanks again guys

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

I wouldn't use an SM57 on piano....

A couple of years back, John Sayers posted a clip of a piano mic'd with a 57 -- and it sounded amazing. (Obviously, you have to be using a good pre with it...)

 

[Michael Jones]

Yeah. I'm no John Sayers, but I used a pair of SM57's on grand piano, with an API 312 pre, and..... well, I thought it sounded pretty good.
http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=1656&alid=-1

If you're trying to eliminate hammer noise, get that piano out away from the wall, and mike it like this:

Except, in "position A", set the mike so that its pointed upwards instead of downwards as shown in the picture. What this will do, is put the mike off-axis from the hammers where its rejection is greatest.

If you only have 2 mikes, use them both at position A, one set around C2, pointed slightly inwards and upwards. Set the other around C6, pointed slightly in wards and upwards.
Season and mix to taste.

 

[In Tune Audio]

I'm a piano technician, and I do recording on the side.
If all of the keys are clicking, chances are the your hammers are worn out. So not only are you getting clicking, but your getting next to no tone from the piano. Look at the part of the hammers that hit the strings, and see how much felt is left, or if you can see the wood.

But if its not a solo piano song, the clicks might blend in as a percusive sound in the final mix.

One thing to try, I've had reasonable success with, but it depends on the piano, is mic the bottom of the piano. Take the panel off and put the mic down in the piano. You will get a less percussive sound, and more harmonics rather than just the fundamental pitch where the hammer hits the strings. Especially if the piano is rather bright or tinty, that way the sound can develop and resonate against the sound board before getting to the mic. However, you will need to make sure that there is absoulutely no squeeking from the pedal, and that you don't thump the pedal when you play it.

Like I said that works with SOME pianos. Let us know how it works out.

 

[Chibi Nappa]

A couple of years back, John Sayers posted a clip of a piano mic'd with a 57 -- and it sounded amazing. (Obviously, you have to be using a good pre with it...)

Well.....This is why the "never say never" rule exists.

Still, if I was a recording newbie I would put in some time learning to mic a piano with a condenser before tackling the task with a dynamic.

 

[packratlouie]

wow guys, good reponse. Im glad to get all of these suggestions. I will sure try out these new techniques, I'll keep you posted. I think I might have to do some piano maintenence on a squaky pedal though. Thanks a bunch.

 

[In Tune Audio]

Be incredibly careful about fixing the squeeky pedal. Don't just go spraying grease in there. If you get any at all on the strings, they will need to be replaced.

Want you'll want to do is loosen the pedal trapwork (the mechanism at the bottom) and clean out any guck or crap that has built up. You can put some lubricate in with your finger just no srpays, and clean it out first or the lubricant will just trap more guck in their, and in a month the pedal will squeek worse than before.

If you hear the squeeking at the top of the piano (in the action) this will be a little more major, and not something you will want to tackle on your own, find a good technician, not just a tuner.