Svengali
hey, I have been doing research on mic'ing piano. It seems in conjunction with my Yamaha AW16G recording workstation and considering I'd be recording classical music, ambient room recording would be the simplest, most cost effective way for me to go. An omnidirectional, large diaphragm condencer should then be my choice of mic. I have a friend who reps for Samson and I figured he'd get me a good deal on a C02 (with switchable pattern) and it got good reviews mentioning piano specifically albeit there seems to be a rather high noise floor. No I've stumbled on a chance to lay my hands on a RODE NT-2A for a thousand bucks extra. Anyone t who knows these produccts can help me out with an opinion!
AlanRatcliffe
There are a lot of dynamics in classical piano, so the noise floor is quite important. To be honest, I don't know the Samson, but the NT2A is a tough mic to beat on a budget - quiet, capable of a wide range of dynamics and pretty neutral and natural sounding. It does have a subtle presence boost, but in a good way.
Averatu
Personally I'd use an Earthworx QTC40, and the DPA would give exelent results as well.
Svengali
thanks for the prompt replies, guys. As always, I got a bee in my bonnet when I get an idea in my head. I really need a lot more education in this field. I plan to study next term as a later than usual post-grad (36) who shied? away from anything technical thus far, but wanting to catch up with the 21st. Thinking of starting work on a sort of digital portfolio incl, videotaped performamces, etc. The conservatoire has some good grand pianos in rooms with reasonable acoustics. I don't have a limitless budget, but at the same time, I want something semi-professional and also versatile (maybe recording some of my pop/rock stuff). I see something looking like a bargain someplace, I jump at it. Maybe I should invest more time in research but I value every opinion as I know very little.
Aleks
Also a friendly word of advice : When you record the piano, it's a good idea to have 2 mics, one closer t the piano, and then one ambient to pick up that powerful tone that pianos are known for. If the noise floor is too high, you should reduce the volume at which the mic(s) pick up noises. ?
Good luck!
Soundinmind
Hey,
Probably a bit late here on this post. If you can afford it, try get 2x sE mics, like the pencil ones for example the sE2 or sE4. The very good mics and well priced in some places. Reason being, they'll catch the highs really well compare to the options you looked at, the large mics are nice but cause they cheaper designs they not that great at the highs, a paino really needs all it can get and its highs content is something you want, its where the harmonics come in. In case I mixed you up, highs is high frequencies.
The other thing is that two mics on pianos always works best as Aleks mentioned. You can use these sE2 etc in stereo pair if you wanted and you'll get a good sound, especially if you youtube some stereo miking tricks. Other side is alot of people apply the 3 to 1 rule and then have the first mic inside the piano to capture the close up sound and then they blend it with the other mic which will be for capturing the room sound of the piano, this is great if you have a lively room. You'll probably find yourself adding reverb to the piano if you dont do this in order to create a room for it, however the catch here is that unless you spent some good $ on the reverb plug in, you gonna get a not so nice sound reverb. Rather try capture the room if you can and if it sounds good.
Recording trip: Take the advice we give you, try it out and if it doesnt sound right then try something else, if it does then all is good. In short: Pick a mic, place a mic, listen to the mic and smile to move it to another place. My rule: If it sounds good, its good ?
Averatu
Soundinmind wrote:
Hey,
Probably a bit late here on this post. If you can afford it, try get 2x sE mics, like the pencil ones for example the sE2 or sE4. The very good mics and well priced in some places. Reason being, they'll catch the highs really well compare to the options you looked at, the large mics are nice but cause they cheaper designs they not that great at the highs, a paino really needs all it can get and its highs content is something you want, its where the harmonics come in. In case I mixed you up, highs is high frequencies.
The other thing is that two mics on pianos always works best as Aleks mentioned. You can use these sE2 etc in stereo pair if you wanted and you'll get a good sound, especially if you youtube some stereo miking tricks. Other side is alot of people apply the 3 to 1 rule and then have the first mic inside the piano to capture the close up sound and then they blend it with the other mic which will be for capturing the room sound of the piano, this is great if you have a lively room. You'll probably find yourself adding reverb to the piano if you dont do this in order to create a room for it, however the catch here is that unless you spent some good $ on the reverb plug in, you gonna get a not so nice sound reverb. Rather try capture the room if you can and if it sounds good.
Recording trip: Take the advice we give you, try it out and if it doesnt sound right then try something else, if it does then all is good. In short: Pick a mic, place a mic, listen to the mic and smile to move it to another place. My rule: If it sounds good, its good ?
The sE's sound good for about a month, just like the Behringer stuf.
theantirockstar
Have you had a look at the AKG stuff?
Svengali
Thanks again. You guys are narrowing down some search options for me at least. A friend of mine adviced me to hold out on buying anything just yet, he reccomend that I rather go all out professional. I was thinking of going budget, but in so-doing have something ready on the go, i.e. being able to just press the record button on random occations in order to be able to catch that one rare moment when everything comes together. Heaven knows I'm nervous enough as it is when I know I have a couple of takes to get it right (thechnology frightens me far more than would an auditorium packed with thousands of people).
This friend who's got a home studio reckons I should get my pieces performance-ready and then we hire some pro level job-specific mics for a day or so and do it one time. This will put MUCH more presure on me, but it sounds like a good enough plan. I will still educate myself (using you guys' pointers) as I find it an interesting field (piano recording specifically)!
Soundinmind
Good advice from your friend, if you just want to capture stuff quickly then get a USB mic from Samson, they super cheap, easy setup and simple... dont sound great but you'll get what you wanted on record and then one day you can capture it for real.
Soundinmind
RE: AKG, they worth looking at, the distributor in SA made them a good price so they actually not too pricy
Averatu
theantirockstar wrote:
Have you had a look at the AKG stuff?
Not a bad option if you go for the higher spec products.
DrGonzo
Averatu wrote:
Averatu wrote:
Personally I'd use an Earthworx QTC40, and the DPA would give exelent results as well.
theantirockstar wrote:
Have you had a look at the AKG stuff?
Not a bad option if you go for the higher spec products.
Dude! Its quite clear the OP is on a budget! Your suggesting he opts for Earthworks and DPA? That should set him back about 15k! ??? ?
But yes, would definately be a fantastic choice indeed. ?
The Rode is a decent mic for the money so might be a good choice, but would personally suggest going with 2 cheapish decent small condensers in a stereo configuration as Soundinmind suggested! might be a combined price of a little more than the single Rode LDC but you will rpob get a better sound and will have more control over your recording...
Svengali
Replies noted and thanks expressed. I'm still looking into this. My first project will be in Nov. I will let you guys know how I went about and how I find the results.
