Piano Mic Help!

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wookieecrisp

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Hello everyone,
I'm a pianist and would like to record classical music on my grand piano. I've looked around on the net and found some cool things, but would like some good advice before buying.

This little guy:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/AMT-Electronics-AMT-M40-Acoustic-Piano-Microphone-System?sku=270985
is designed for piano and looks awesome! Thoughts?

hr-faq.org recommends 2 of this mic:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/339802-REG/Studio_Projects_B1_B1_Studio_Microphone.html
Thoughts on this one?

Also, I will need something to connect these to my laptop (17-inch macbook pro). I've been looking at the presonus firebox: http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail.aspx?ProductId=4
Thoughts on that?

Thanks!
 
I've used a mic like that first one to record a piano in a class at UNR once - sounded pretty good. Can't for the life of me remember what it's called when it has the little soundboard below it (if that's what it is). Had it sitting on a music stand and it had a pretty bright sound. I have had the best luck using a large diaphragm condenser to cover the mid to low end and a pencil condenser, one you might use as an overhead drum mic for the high end. These pencil was in the opened top of the piano and the LD down toward the bottom left of the piano in front of the screen maybe a foot and a half up from the ground. This was of course on an upright. you'd have to rethink it if you have a grand/baby grand.
 
+1 on the firebox. Can't speak for the other pieces of gear on the list since I've never used them before. I did record a piano piece for a relative of mine, and the only equipment I had was 2 MXL 991's and the Firebox. It wasn't spectacular, but it did the job just fine.
 
I'd be inclined to use a matched pair of small diaphram condensers. The notion that larger diaphrams are good for bass and smaller diaphrams are good for the top end is somewhat of a myth, and the majority of classical recordings tend to favor a matched stereo pair of sdcs in a coincident or near-coincident array anyways.

I'm in the process of doing some location work with a friend who is performing (among other things) the Goldberg Variations this coming weekend. We've done a few preliminary sessions in the hall using a pair of Beyer MC930s and have been very happy with the results. Signal chain was Beyers - SCA C84 preamps - Edirol UA101 - laptop. I've also used them as the main pair on my classical guitar trio. I'd heartily recommend the Beyers if they're within your budget.
 
wookieecrisp said:
Hello everyone,
I'm a pianist and would like to record classical music on my grand piano. I've looked around on the net and found some cool things, but would like some good advice before buying.

This little guy:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/AMT-Electronics-AMT-M40-Acoustic-Piano-Microphone-System?sku=270985
is designed for piano and looks awesome! Thoughts?

hr-faq.org recommends 2 of this mic:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/339802-REG/Studio_Projects_B1_B1_Studio_Microphone.html
Thoughts on this one?

Also, I will need something to connect these to my laptop (17-inch macbook pro). I've been looking at the presonus firebox: http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail.aspx?ProductId=4
Thoughts on that?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

It is impossible to give any recommendation, as you don't give any specifics, such as what is the room, what is the instrument, what is repertoir, etc, etc, etc. You see, it is one thing to record a Steinway D in a large hall with beautiful acoustics, and completely different matter to record say, Shimmel in a small room.
Most definitely, for example, Bach has very different recording techniques than say, Rachmaninov.

In any case, as a starting point, a couple days ago there was a thread on classical piano recording. Please have a look:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=290082

Best, M
 
Hi

wookieecrisp said:
Hello everyone,
I'm a pianist and would like to record classical music on my grand piano. I've looked around on the net and found some cool things, but would like some good advice before buying.

This little guy:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/AMT-Electronics-AMT-M40-Acoustic-Piano-Microphone-System?sku=270985
is designed for piano and looks awesome! Thoughts?

hr-faq.org recommends 2 of this mic:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/339802-REG/Studio_Projects_B1_B1_Studio_Microphone.html
Thoughts on this one?

Also, I will need something to connect these to my laptop (17-inch macbook pro). I've been looking at the presonus firebox: http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail.aspx?ProductId=4
Thoughts on that?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I started studying home recording about three months ago. I also want to record myself at home, on my Steinway B. Everything hinges on how good a recording you want to make and how far you are willing to go. There are many knowledgable and helpful peolple on this site, but probably one of the best people to speak with is Marik, since he is both an accomplished classical pianist and audio engineer, both. He will understand your very particular situation. As far as recording, there are many possibilities and choices to be made. Your budget will be a main factor, and after that, what exactly you are after and how much you are willing to invest yourself. Good Luck!!
 
Thanks guys! I'm recording a beautiful Steinway "O" in a living room of about 14x17x8 (LxWxH), which is connected openly to a dining room of 12x15x8 (LxWxH). I will be recording a large variety of repertoire. The budget should be under 1000 [mic and everything else (besides computer)] Thanks again!
 
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wookieecrisp said:
Thanks guys! I'm recording a beautiful Steinway "O" in a living room of about 14x17x8 (LxWxH), which is connected openly to a dining room of 12x15x8 (LxWxH). I will be recording a large variety of repertoire. The budget should be under 1000 [mic and everything else (besides computer)] Thanks again!
Click to expand...

That's a coincidence. I have a Steinway B in a room with exactly the same dimensions and layout as yours. I don't work with a computer and not familiar with how that set up works, so I'm not sure how much I can help. I'm using a microtrack digital recorder with premaps, and experimenting with mics and mic postioning. The type of mics you use and their postion makes a huge difference in the sound you get. Over the next few weeks I'll be buying better quality preamps as a front for the microtrack. One set of mics, the studio projects C-4's were recommended to me by Marik and I am going to try them out (in spaced omni position.) Have you researched recording online? There are many helpful and instructional articles to be found on absolutely everything pertaining to recording and home recording. It's all extremely interesting (and exciting!) It's a HUGE field, I previously had no idea.
 
Thank you everyone. Marik, I read the first thread you gave me, but I do not know what "MS" is. (sorry i'm a beginner) I am not sure what software I'm going to use, as now I'm leaning a bit more over to a PC. Thanks!
 
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Sorry that I'm quadruple-posting, but can somebody please help?
 
Im micing up a 9'2" Bosendorfer teusday...Ill be using 2 AT3035 mics through an API 512.

One pointed straight down at the strings 2' back from the hammers...the other one foot back...6" from the strings near the middle pointed to the highest string Inna will be playing.
 
wookieecrisp said:
Sorry that I'm quadruple-posting, but can somebody please help?
Click to expand...

Be patient Wookie. It's the weekend and people are busy.

Also understand that many of the regulars on this site are sound professionals. There are certain members who are good enough to offer help to "newbies", but sometimes you will have to decode what they mean and sift through their disagreements with eachother, and their differing opinions. You are going to have to do a lot of the research yourself in conjuction with the feedback. A solution to your problem is not instant.
 
Technically there is not a solution per say. All gear has flaws. It really depends on which flaws are good enough for you and your budget.

Piano is a tricky one. It takes up a lot of realestate. It covers many octaves of related sounds. And many of them don't have digital outs, requiring the use of a microphone. Where the room, atmospheric pressure, humidity, and other things affect the results.

If you have a bit more info. Want to sound like ???. Have this, but want that. It could help. No need to recommend a Neuman, if your content with a Rode. Unless you're an employee of either.
 
I'll take a pair of EV CS15E's over any of the budget mics that are available new today - on any signal source. The physical design might not get you excited but the sound certainly should. I keep 4 in-house at all times. I've PM'd you about this already.
 
Well that mic is now discontinued.

http://archives.telex.com/archives/EV/Microphones/EDS/CS15 EDS.pdf

What happens when you break / lose one? Or if you need a perfectly matched pair? 141dB is nice. Frequency response, not so much. Noise floor, not so much. According to historical specs. It seems to have a pretty common mention in inventories. Although the used street price is kind of discouraging ($125 - $200). In reference to a budget mic anyway.
 
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