Recording a grand piano

  • Thread starter Thread starter dkland
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dkland

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I have been lurking around this site for several days trying to find some information that will allow me to record a Steinway grand piano that will sound something like the original sound when recorded to a CD.

For a low cost sytem looking at many of the posts I would like to know if one of the "experts" could comment on the following components:
Microphones (2) ECM8000's in an x-y configuration.
Preamp/mixer Behringer MX-802A
Both of the above can be purchased for about $160. However I will wait until someone comments on these components.

I have a SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 card in the computer. Should I go for a higher quality unit. I have recorded LP's to CD's using this card and Roxio's CD creator utilizing the pop and click removal. They don't sound too bad.

In addition to the Roxio program I have PowerTracks ProAudio 8 and Magix Music Studio 5. I think the Power Tracks is the better program, but would like confirmation of this.Thanks
 
Reproducing a Steinway grand as it is considered to be a big challenge to most of the recording engineers. Thats why most of the piano sounds suck in keyboard synths. Anyway, You dont have to compete with those engineers. What you are looking for is a basic setup, You have selected the economical solution for the recording. Which is good, If you need more quality.... move up for a little upgrade, I am not talking about hundreds of dollars, but instead of SB live if you use a M Audio audiophile 2496 it would make a real big difference in the recording and it is much reliable. In the microphones you can use a better instrument mic. Remember ... a microphone quality is very very important. Then concentrate on the placement and positioning of the mics until you will get good results. Good Luck!
 
You have a functional system there, certainly one area you would eventually want to improve on is to get a sounc card that is better than the SB.

The xy configuration is usually used with cardoid mics. XY pairs get their stereo image from the fact that they are directional and pointing in different directions. For omnis how they are pointing is irrelevant. If you use an xy coincident pair with omnis you might as well just use one mic. Usually when omnis are used to mic a piano they are separated and placed at different points near the piano, with carefull adjustment so that phase problems are minimized. Another concern about omnis is that they pick up room noise just as much as they pick up what they are pointing at. Fortunatly most stineways are in rooms worthy of having a stineway in them, so you will not be having the problems of recording in a garage or carppy club. On the other hand if the hall is tuned for being occupied it will be livlier if you are recording when it is empty, and the omni will pick that up.
 
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