Recording a grand piano with two mics...?

Royalston · 16th November 2007

Hi
Im recording a grand piano tomorrow, for a soundtrack ive written.
Ive never miked a grand piano before...

I have:
an sm58 clone
a rode NT4
a fireface 800
a powerbook.

Where should I put the mics? (obviously placement may be affected by the roon the piano is in...but general pointers would be much appreciated

Thanks
Royalston

ps. I may post this in other forums too to maximise my chance of getting a reply before tomorrow. Sorry if this offends anyone.

TheRealRoach · 16th November 2007

I don't think the SM58 clone would do you any good, as a real 58 probably wouldn't do you any good. Compared to your NT4 anyway.

Seeing as the NT4 is a stereo mic already you're in good shape. I'd take the lid off entirely and place the mics somewhere directly over the piano pointing down at the strings. I wouldn't put them any closer than 3 feet. This all has to do with the room of course. The better the room the more forgiving it will be, but if you have a small room with bad reflections then you'll need to get in closer. The important thing with miking anything for the first time is to record a test run, and check out the playback in the mix. If it's not sitting very well with other elements then change the position until it sounds good to your ears. If there are no other elements (i.e. solo piano), then make sure you have a close listen to what the piano actually sounds like in the room with your ears and try to get as close to that as you can.

People are often to eager to set up the mic and jump into the control room without listening to the instrument live in the room.

Royalston · 16th November 2007

thanks - great advice

R.

Stevil · 16th November 2007

i miced up my first babygrand a few months back. came with a room I scored in vegas.

i used an AT2020, CAD.E100 & sm57 into a Fostex vf-16. (cuz it's what i had)
aimed the AT @ over the strings & CAD @ the lid.
here are the audio results: GVR - babygrand

i'll be going stereo pair next time i get this kind of opportunity (maybe 2 pairs as i now have 2 each of the condensers above). the 57 track wasnt as useful. i could see using it for a dirty Tom Waits type of feel but otherwise kinda useless compared to the fullness of the condensers.

Alexi · 16th November 2007

place the nt4 right behind the player, facing the piano.....

cheers

alex

16th November 2007	#1
Royalston Gear Head Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 38 Thread Starter	Recording a grand piano with two mics...? Hi Im recording a grand piano tomorrow, for a soundtrack ive written. Ive never miked a grand piano before... I have: an sm58 clone a rode NT4 a fireface 800 a powerbook. Where should I put the mics? (obviously placement may be affected by the roon the piano is in...but general pointers would be much appreciated Thanks Royalston ps. I may post this in other forums too to maximise my chance of getting a reply before tomorrow. Sorry if this offends anyone.

16th November 2007	#2
TheRealRoach Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,043	I don't think the SM58 clone would do you any good, as a real 58 probably wouldn't do you any good. Compared to your NT4 anyway. Seeing as the NT4 is a stereo mic already you're in good shape. I'd take the lid off entirely and place the mics somewhere directly over the piano pointing down at the strings. I wouldn't put them any closer than 3 feet. This all has to do with the room of course. The better the room the more forgiving it will be, but if you have a small room with bad reflections then you'll need to get in closer. The important thing with miking anything for the first time is to record a test run, and check out the playback in the mix. If it's not sitting very well with other elements then change the position until it sounds good to your ears. If there are no other elements (i.e. solo piano), then make sure you have a close listen to what the piano actually sounds like in the room with your ears and try to get as close to that as you can. People are often to eager to set up the mic and jump into the control room without listening to the instrument live in the room. __________________ Mike Rocha http://www.mikerocha.ca http://www.riverworksmusic.com

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16th November 2007	#3
Royalston Gear Head Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 38 Thread Starter	thanks - great advice R.

16th November 2007	#4
Stevil Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,193	i miced up my first babygrand a few months back. came with a room I scored in vegas. i used an AT2020, CAD.E100 & sm57 into a Fostex vf-16. (cuz it's what i had) aimed the AT @ over the strings & CAD @ the lid. here are the audio results: GVR - babygrand i'll be going stereo pair next time i get this kind of opportunity (maybe 2 pairs as i now have 2 each of the condensers above). the 57 track wasnt as useful. i could see using it for a dirty Tom Waits type of feel but otherwise kinda useless compared to the fullness of the condensers.

16th November 2007	#5
Alexi Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Hamburg Posts: 1,222	place the nt4 right behind the player, facing the piano..... cheers alex