Recording Piano in 5.1 Surround

[Jan_M]

Just wondering if anyone here has done any surround recordings of classical piano.

I've got a project coming up in May and am starting my research.

At this point I'd like to keep the discussion more about technique than gear.

Oh, and if anyone has some recommended surround piano recordings to listen to that would be great.

Thanks.

[Andraes]

Hi Jan, Kindly read SOS january UK version (or it's online equivalent). Spot-on!
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[Jan_M]

This is part of the question.

The repertoire is classical so the approach will be for more natural reproduction but the question of imaging is definatly an important point to bring up.

The piano is more of a single point source than say an orchestra or even a string quartet so getting it across on the speaker in 5.1 naturally seems to be a bit of a challenge. I am definatly interested in how people are dealing with the centre channel for piano.

[mpdonahue]

Originally Posted by Jan_M

The piano is more of a single point source than say an orchestra or even a string quartet so getting it across on the speaker in 5.1 naturally seems to be a bit of a challenge. I am definatly interested in how people are dealing with the center channel for piano.

Jan,
I would respectfully disagree with the comment that a piano is a point source.
We've done a whole bunch of surround piano recordings, including an entire Beethoven Piano Sonata cycle in SACD surround. The things that really separates the surround from the stereo is not the sense of the hall ambience, but rather the sense of dimension and size of a concert grand piano.

All the best,
mark

[Jan_M]

Perhaps I made my previous post unclear...it just seem to be more single point than orchestra but then again I guess that is all a point of perspective from where you put the mics.

I think for the perspective I'm looking for you are right. I was thinking from far away.

Care to share your approach?

[dspan]

In 1999 I recorded a Gershwin CD that was intended as a surround release. The Rhapsody in Blue and the four Preludes were recorded in a concert venue (1000 seat hall) using 7 channels. I like to capture the hight information for my surround recordings. To keep this short and simple.... the mics were (front L/R) Soundfeild ST250 (MS) {1&2}, (Rear L/R) AKG C 422 in MS {3&4} and the Center and hight were 2 AKG C 414 {5&6}. I also had a (then) B&K 4006 under the piano to add more bottom {7}.
The CD was mixed and shelved for a few years then released in 2004 as a SACD.

Happy to give you more information if you wish.

Best,

Dave