Recording the piano

  • Thread starter Thread starter Goose
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Goose

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I would like to be able to record my daughter playing the piano, and have purchased some "how to" books, but I'm still confused on what direction to go.
Please point me in a direction that will help me achieve my goal.

GOOSE
 
hi goose....what kind of equipment do ya have so far?..a condensor mic would be nice...actually two of em...

spin
 
Thanks for responding to my question. I don't have any equipment yet. What should I buy?
 
hi goose....how much do ya wanna spend?..how great do ya want it to sound..i looked around this web site and couldnt seem to find anything on micing pianos....so try this...(http://recording.hostway.com)...and look for the micing areas..theres a pretty good article there...good luck

spin
 
Thanks Spin

What do you think I should be thinking about?A cassette deck or what kind of recording device? Also, where do you buy stuff like this. It's hard to find from your regular sources.

Thanks
Goose
 
Let's keep it simple, of very easy use and of high quality.

How about a portable minidisc recorder with a good external stereo mic? Just plop the pocket sized recorder on the music holder, and place the external mic on the top of the piano. Press play/record and off you go. Bad cuts can be eliminated and the medium will physically last for a very long time with far superior recording qualities than a cassette deck.

Experiment with placing the stereo mic in different positions.
The portable minidisc/stereo mic combo is so small and easy to use you can record public recitals and concerts with ease. No hassle at all. No one will even know that you are recording the show.

price: minidisc recorder $350 Cdn
external stereo mic ? perhaps $100 Cdn but I do not know.

also the hostway website can be better accessed through www.recordingwebsite.com

Though that site has been acticg up lately.
"Forbiden!" etc.
 
Fantastic!!

Now we're getting somewhere. I had no idea that the minidisc recorders had mic jacks.
One question: Would the recorder have to have two mic inputs, or what's the status of the stereo mic? Also, where can I get a recorder with a mic input? I've looked and haven't had any luck yet.

You've been very helpful.


Goose

[This message has been edited by Goose (edited 10-25-1999).]
 
hey goose..SN is gonna definitley have to take it from here cause i know next to nothing about minidisks....or recording in general for that matter haha....good luck

spin
 
I've always recorded piano by opening the top and positioning a mic a little ways inside and dead center as far as left to right (you'll need some sort of mic stand to do this, and i'm talking about an upright piano by the way.)If you had two mics you could put one on the left and one on the right for some stereo effect. I definately recommend a condensor mic, but this will require a mixer with phantom power. Other options for recording media besides mini disc are your vcr or your computer. If you look around the site you should be able to find what you need for either of these methods.

-Nate K
 
The portable minidisc will have one stereo 1/8" mini-plug. It will also have one optical digital in and one stereo 1/8" mini-plug line in. Though the last two are being combined into one on the newest models.

To find these portable stereo minidisc units go to the specialized electronics stores downtown. They have stuff like this.

Stereo mics vary. Look at the options and listen to the recording quality. They will be small for these kind of units, and have two mics at an approx 90 degree angle joined together within a plastic case.

Sony, Panasonic, Kenwood, JVC and perhaps more make these little units. Some use recharable AA batteries some use specialized batteries. All come with an AC/DC wall plug adapter and some tiny cheap headphones.
 
If you're just into the concept of recording a performance, rather than trying to get the particular sound of a "real" piano, you may also wanna consider the possibility of buying a relatively inexpensive "piano keyboard" with weighted keys and a sustain pedal (or also purchase the full set of plug-in pedals). Most of the simpler versions aren't that expensive (though, in a piano shop, rather than, say, Best Buy, you can expect to pay a few grand and get a lot of features you won't need!). This would have direct quarter-inch outs, which you could then plug direct (get youself a couple of quarter-inch to RCA cables) into your recording device. The sound will be great, no mics needed, and no unwanted sounds, either. Just a suggestion ... :)
 
Thanks to everyone for responding so quickly and with so much good info. I took everything into consideration, logged on to Ubid and bought a minidisc recorder for about $200 ($100 less than in the stores).I'll give this a shot and let everyone know how it worked out. Thanks again everyone! Great site!!!!

Goose
 
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