Ribbon microphones for steinway

[newatthis]

I have a couple of beyer m260 microphones but one is not working properly. I am considering getting them the Sank mod. I hear they truely sound like 77dx's but have no experience with the sound of this mod. Should I be looking for a pair of something else to better suit my 1923 Steinway 5'11" grand piano. $400 for the mod seems high but will be alot less then a new pair of something else. Iwould like to make the best choice and not have to try out many various pairs. I do have a pair of km84's that sound pretty nice on this piano but would like a second pair that would offer something alittle different maybe more extended response. Any suggestions or comments?

[Corran]

If you are interested in ribbons on piano you should check this thread out:

Ribbon Madness....Some Comparisons

Some interesting samples and comparisons. The files might be down right now though, not sure.

[themaidsroom]

coles 4038

[TheBSper]

Just be careful with the lid on the piano. Try to get it as open as possible because reflections off it into the backs of the figure-8 pattern of the ribbon can cause phase nightmares.

[ArcCirDude]

Originally Posted by TheBSper

Just be careful with the lid on the piano. Try to get it as open as possible because reflections off it into the backs of the figure-8 pattern of the ribbon can cause phase nightmares.

If you stick the mic in that far....

[MrVelvet]

Originally Posted by TheBSper

Just be careful with the lid on the piano. Try to get it as open as possible because reflections off it into the backs of the figure-8 pattern of the ribbon can cause phase nightmares.

Ditto here... I try to take the lid off whenever possible. It's also easier to move the mics for stereo placement then

Depending on the sound you're after - if it's THAT stereotypical clean Steinway sound, I'd try Royer SF-1's. They soften the highs in a very nice way, but otherwise don't colour too much compared to other ribbons. While it sounds very high quality, I find that combination smooth but not "exciting" or special in the sense of a ribbon at all.

For the ultimate vintage vibe I'd love to try 4038's as themaidsroom suggested - still have to do that. Tough I think there's pianos more suited for the vintage flavour than a Steinway

R121s or R122Vs might be a little dull sounding with a really full bodied piano (I've had great success with R122V's with pianos that didn't have a fulminant bass response).

For a Steinway, I'd rather try some nice tube mics instead of ribbons first, like something in the U47 vein or maybe a Horch RM2J. For a room mic far away when bass proximity is no problem, I'd think that an R84 could have a very interesting sound.

[ocianic]

Originally Posted by themaidsroom

coles 4038

+1

[drBill]

Guys, take a minute to check out the thread Corran linked to in the second post. I did that session and posted those clips.

I chose the Modded Joly 205's over the Coles and AEA's. As did my second and the solo piano artist. The coles are great - no doubt about it, and I could see why someone would choose them - especially if the playing was delicate and soft spoken.

But for this solo piano, with this artist, I chose the 205's. The coles just got too honky when he would "get on it!". And although voiced very similarly to the coles, the modded 205's had an extra octave on the bottom with more air up top.

I could live with either though.

Oh, and if you scroll down a bit, you'll see my somewhat unorthadox micing method in pics. I didn't have (and usually don't) any problems with the ribbons and piano lid. I could have pulled it. But I didn't find the need. Everyone was happy with the results - either 4038's or 205's with the lid on. Again, with a pretty unorthadox micing method.

Ribbons yeild a beautiful, natural, non hyped sound. The artist has recieved so many kudos on the sound of his recordings it always astounds me when I read the reviews. I guess a lot of guys must be using close mic'd condensers.

Check it out!

Ribbon Madness....Some Comparisons

Leave your thoughts on the thread if you have them!

Cheers,

bp

[Corran]

Yeah that thread is awesome! You did good work.

It's of course relative to the situation and piano, but I think it's awesome that the winner was the cheapy modded mic!

BTW, SDCs can get good sounds too...I have used both for different reasons. In a couple of weeks I'm recording a critical solo piano recital and I'm going to have a Blumlein ribbon pair and a little farther back a pair of Oktava 012 SDCs.

[seaneldon]

A Sank Modded M260 will not sound like a 77DX. If you don't like the sound of the M260 on this particular piano then try another microphone. If you like the M260's on this piano, get them fixed and get back to your regularly scheduled programming.

For a darker, mellower Steinway (is it an L?) where ribbons are great but lacking articulation in higher frequencies, I like a Crowley & Tripp "Studio Vocalist" to carry on where another mic left off, but still retain the velvet and resonance of the instrument.

[newatthis]

This is an Steinway L and it is somewhat mellow in the top octaves which is why I have been thinking about lacquering the hammers abit. The hammers are only a few years old and really haven't been played too much since they were installed. The low and middle regesters are louder and very euphoric where the top is somewhat softer. The km84's sound great for some styles but I was thinking ribbons might be the way to go for solo Jazz and classical. I'm not floored by the m260 that works fine but I was thinking that the Sank mod might be the answer. Thanks for all the great responses so far and I'm looking foward to more suggestions.

[newatthis]

Any other m260dx users out there that could share their experiences.

[warhead]

I love the BLUE Woodpecker on piano, used on a Steinway B and was blown away.

War

[ArcCirDude]

Originally Posted by warhead

I love the BLUE Woodpecker on piano, used on a Steinway B and was blown away.

War

Agreed. I had an acoustic session this past weekend and used a pair of Woodpeckers on my Steinway. Both myself and my client were very pleased with the results.

[David R.]

I've never used a 77dx on a piano. Is this something I should try? I have a piano session in a few weeks and I was going to use a pair of Sony C48 mics. I have a pair of 77dx, maybe I should try? Problem is not much time for fooling around, I need to set up quick and hit record.

Oh that we have such problems!

[ArcCirDude]

You didn't state the style of music but I own a 77 and I'd use the Sonys unless you really wanted to dampen the overtones of the piano. The highs really begin to take a nosedive after 10khz with the RCAs.

[David R.]

Jazz.

And I know that about the high end. That is why I was surprised to hear people using them. My recording is going to be piano and vocal.

Sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread, it is all related.

[ArcCirDude]

Use both. Stereo Sonys and stereo 77s. Make the pick in the mix. Maybe a blend of the two? Increase your options.