Lo-budget upright piano miking for live jazz trio!

[brianwflood]

I'm going to record a jazz trio and it'll be my first ever miking of an upright piano.

In a nutshell, I'm using my only stereo mic for the whole "image" so to speak.. capture all of the instruments in the space, the ambiance, a little crowd, etc. I did a trial recording and was pleased, considering. (As did the bandleader.) The cymbals were loudest, bass and piano were tied for second. Will close-mic snare, bass and stereo mic the piano. Possibly the kick. Here's the pickle....

For piano, my only other stereo option is my pair of Audix F90 clip-on condensers! I've only ever used them on my blues junior (it sounded fine, to be honest.. the clarity was there but they weren't ballsy.)

What do you slutz think.. F90's on piano total waste of time? or definitely give it a go?

[jnorman]

if that's all you got, use them. however, for a jazz trio like this, you will still want to use the main stereo mic as probably 80% or more of the final mix, and just bring up enough of the piano mics to add a bit if enhancement and clarity in the top end. i do not see any reason to spot mic the drums you mention for a jazz project. if the bass is acoustic, spot it. if bass is electric, no spot needed. talk to the drummer about the cymbals, and discuss the need to allow the group to balance themselves for this type of recording. often drummers have a hard time hearing them selves well in relation to the rest of the group, so running a headphone mix for the drummer might help him control his volume.

[7rojo7]

if you can, stereo drums and piano (piano=3 mics, L.C.R) (drums 3ft over snare, 3ft over ride and solii
amp the bass and mic that

[trompetfreak]

It's better than nothing and any mic can sound great, aspecially if you only have to support it next to your main pair.

Give it a try, see if it's workable. That's the only real way to find out.

[VCA-MAN]

Try AKG C 411 contact mic's..

Cheers

[brianwflood]

Thanks everyone. Trompetfreak sort of confirmed what I suspected, so thanks. My trial recording has a decent amount of piano already in it I won't have to rely on the 90's hugely, just reinforcement.

I'm close-miking the kit because the snare and kick have too much room reflections embedded in them. I'd like to combine that with a more direct sound. The cymbals are a bit washy and rough around the edges but are kind of pleasing in a way.

[pan]

Put a PZM in under the lid where the strings cross.

[jabney]

I'd track the Audix pair as a stereo mic' and then align it with the main pair.

best,

john

[7rojo7]

actually
lift the cover over the pedals on the piano and 1 mic should be good enough under there, lots of iso, same for the drums and 1 on the bass. mix bass in the middle, drums and piano a little to the sides. You'll have control over the volumes and you'll use only 3 channels and no one will ever be able to tell. I mic drums and piano in mono often and never find it displeasing. bleed on the bass will be the biggest problem

[Barnabas]

Originally Posted by 7rojo7

actually
lift the cover over the pedals on the piano and 1 mic should be good enough under there, lots of iso, same for the drums and 1 on the bass.

Great place to mic an upright. Bring along a can of WD-40 in case the pedals squeak.

[7rojo7]