Microphones & Grand Pianos

  • Thread starter Thread starter Michael Jones
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Michael Jones

Michael Jones

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OK, here's the task:
How do you mic a grand piano, and come away with a "Stellar" sound??

Now, Here's where I'm at and what I have done:

Equipment:
1 - 6'-2" Boston Grand Piano
2 - Neumann TLM-103 mics in an "X-Y" config. splayed at 120 degrees, and placed above and behind the center of the harp about 22".
1 - Shure SM81 set off in the room and pointed at the wall to capture reflections.
1 - ART Pro MPA Microphone preamp.
1 - Yamaha O1v digital mixing console.
All of this runs to PC where I use "Steinberg's" Nuendo recording software to record at 24 bit.
Except for the effect of the tubes from the ART, everything is recorded more or less dry. All this in an acoustically treated room thats about 22'x24'.

To listen to a sample of this recording using the above equipment/technique, go here http://michaeljones.iuma.com
and listen to "Seeing You".

After recording, I add just a small amout of reverb.

The biggest problem I seem to be having, is poor definition in the low end.
Should I consider different mic's, is my technique poor, do I need to consider compression, eq,,,,,or have I simply choosen a very difficult instrument to record?

Any advice would be appreciated. It just seems like with the quality of equipment that I have, I should be able to walk away with some stellar recordings.

Thanks in advance.
 
I didn't listen yet to your mp3.


If you feel a need for more low end then don't use the XY. Although it has a full sound when placed well, there less control over the low to high ends.

You can try an XY but placed facing into the piano at the edge with the lid open.
What I would try is the 2 mics placed about a foot apart each mic behind the hammers one amied at the treble part and one at the bass part - about 6-8 inches above the strings.
Now.... move them slowly apart if you feel the need for more bass-treble.
Check this out in mono and make sure it doesn't sounds thin (phase problems).
I didn't hear your song but in general a thinner sound (less low end)
tends to fit in a mix better. The low end held by the bass and kick drum.

Leave Eq for the mix. Compression for solo work is not a great idea. For a rhythm section - keep the ratio low as well as the reduction (3dB).
With a fast song I tend to forget about the reverb to keep the piano tight and punchy.
If you add reverb keep it short and try a room or a drop of plate.
 
As shailat said - You won't get that zing bottom end out of a 6' 2" piano. You can emphasis the bass by putting an additional mike over the bridge of the bass notes (bridge as in the equivalent to the guitar bridge where the strings pivot off)and EQ some high mids into the mike to give the bass notes more attack.

Cheers
John
 
Shailat:
Thanks for the advice, I'll employ those techniques and see how it comes out.


John:
What do you mean "....not from a 6'2" Grand Piano".?
I know it's not a Concert Grand, but it's bigger than a "baby grand".
The piano sounds incredible in the studio, why can't I seem to capture that on tape?
Thanks for the input too, I'll experiment with your suggestions.
 
mic the bottom (under) of the piano..worked for me.
 
ametth, thanks for the advice. I have tried micing from the bottom, seemed to me like it picked up more hammer noise. An undesireable effect for my style of playing.
 
John, thanks for the link.
Maybe one day.... a 7'4"......(Sure would be nice!!)
 
I use 2 pzm attached to some pexi-glass so you get the whole piano. After that it's really easy to eq because it's balanced really well.
 
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