Recording a grand piano tomorrow with two mics..how?

[Royalston]

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.

[gsilbers]

open the grand piano and position the mics a few feet away on the side of the open top so both point at the sound board. one mic for the front (58) and another for the back/bass NT4.

try that 1st as it will capture the sound of the piano but if u want more detail then close in the mics to the keys.

for a soundtrack id go for a more roomy/verby feel rather than a close mic situation. as u trying to create the mood.

its a way, still there many forms to record a piano. just google ; recording piano techniques, im sure there is tons of info.

[Martin Kantola]

You have never recorded a grand piano before, but I'm pretty sure you have an idea of what it would need to sound like. The best position depends a lot on the style of music, the piano, the room, the pianist etc...

With an open mind and an extra 15 minutes of soundcheck, you have a good chance of finding a spot for the mike that sounds great to you. Just make sure you listen through something you know well, speakers or headphones.

Trust your own ears.

Martin

[erosconpollo]

That NT4 is a stereo mike, right? That's all you would need then. Open-stick, a couple or three feet back, mike(s) positioned somewhere above (not necessarily very high-up) and pointing toward the "works" -- find what sounds decent and go with it.