Recording an electric piano ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jovi
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Jovi

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so here's a picture similar to the piano I have -

Google Image Result for http://www.thepianogallerystore.com/images/catalog/category47.jpg

I am wondering how I should record it ? Where should I place the microphone, the speaker(s) is/are under the keys, above the pedals if you can see.

I'm recording with an AT4040 mic and I was told it's good for all around purposes. I also have a Line input recording through a different channel. I took one take of the song I wanted to record, and for some reason the line recording is sounding better ? ... I think it's suppose to be the other way around. I was thinking of mixing and blending the both together to get a natural sound.

But It just doesn't sound as full as I want it to. I could probably mess around with eq and such, but any tips on how to do this BEFORE I add in any effects?
Thanks - Jovan
 
The line output of a good sampled piano has the sound of a properly miced instrument. The speaker in your piano isn't really adding anything useful.
 
I've had good results with miking the speaker of an electric piano. It just depends on the sound coming out of it. Combine that with a room mic, if you're in a good room, and it can sound very good.
 
well it was 8000 $ like 5 years ago, I guess that counts as a good sampled piano ?
 
Jovi said:
well it was 8000 $ like 5 years ago, I guess that counts as a good sampled piano ?
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I should hope so. Now if it were a Rhodes suitcase I would certainly mic the speaker, but your line out should be pretty close to perfect. Not that it isn't worthwhile trying some microphones on it.
 
Jovi said:
for some reason the line recording is sounding better ? ... I think it's suppose to be the other way around. I was thinking of mixing and blending the both together to get a natural sound.
Click to expand...
why would you think that?

The speakers in those things are limited, if for no other reason that space constraints. Can't get a large cab in there so the low end isn't going to be full.
I don't personally see any reason at all to try to mic the speakers. IF there were no line out then fine.
But there is a line out and that's gonna pretty much always allow you to get a better sound than the built in speakers..
It's not like a guitar/a,p combo where the amp is a significant part of the sound. In this case the amp/speaker is a limiting factor.
 
IK Obi said:
Sarcastic, but seriously it probably would! I bet the keys feel awesome.
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I wasn't being sarcastic, honestly. I've played just about every consumer digital around over the years (showroom goofoff). Doesn't matter how much you spend - I've never heard any yamaha that comes close to let's say - the best of the east/west piano libraries. The key is to get a good controller. Technology, sample libraries and time marches on. .
 
chuckduffy said:
I wasn't being sarcastic, honestly. I've played just about every consumer digital around over the years (showroom goofoff). Doesn't matter how much you spend - I've never heard any yamaha that comes close to let's say - the best of the east/west piano libraries. The key is to get a good controller. Technology, sample libraries and time marches on. .
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Very true. It is hard to find a real piano feel midi controller.
 
IK Obi said:
Very true. It is hard to find a real piano feel midi controller.
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I ended up purchasing a Yamaha consumer digital piano, turned the volume all the way down and connected to my daw with midi. It has nice action - way better than any of the fatar/studiologic stuff that I played. I actually like it better than my It was under a grand on a closeout@ Sams. I tell people to keep their eyes on Sams/Costco cause every once in a while they blow out last years models very inexpensively.
 
No lie, I wanted to do something like that but haven't yet for fear of buying a bad one. I'll have to keep an eye out after Christmas or early next year to see if I can find one!
 
You should put quality mic on top of the electric piano, and then point that mic at a real acoustic piano.
 
IK Obi said:
No lie, I wanted to do something like that but haven't yet for fear of buying a bad one. I'll have to keep an eye out after Christmas or early next year to see if I can find one!
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Yeah a while back Sams was blowing out these for $450 with wooden stand and stool.

Yamaha P-95 | Sweetwater.com

The action is *very* good. The only drawback is they are not really 'road hardened' - but I don't gig anyway.
 
if it were me i would record the signal dry straight out of the piano, then get it wet with a bit of verb to add more depth and space. you can do a lot with reverb and panning alone to add life to a dry signal.
 
chuckduffy said:
Yeah a while back Sams was blowing out these for $450 with wooden stand and stool.

Yamaha P-95 | Sweetwater.com

The action is *very* good. The only drawback is they are not really 'road hardened' - but I don't gig anyway.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but I'd leave it at the studio and use another board for the road. That would have been a GREAT deal with the stand and stool. I see them from time to time at Costco on sale right after Christmas. I may have to check one out next year.
 
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