Solo Acoustic Concert - Piano, Guitar, Voice

[4score]

I'm performing a benefit concert for Relay for Life at Georgetown University in DC next week, and have recently learned that I have to run my own sound. This is not a problem, but I figured if I'm going to lug equipment down there, I might as well record the show, so I wanted to get your advice on the best way to set things up.

First, the format of the show:
Solo acoustic. For anyone who has seen one of Jackson Browne's solo shows, it's pretty similar to that. One vocalist (me) playing acoustic piano (Yamaha C7) and acoustic guitar.

The room is a set up as an auditorium/small concert hall. The acoustics are decent, and the room seats about 150 people. The piano carries REALLY well in the space, so the only things that would require amplification would be the voice and the DI'd guitar, and the levels can be kept fairly quiet.

In terms of mics, these are what I have at my disposal:
(1) Shure SM58
(1) Sennheiser e845s (which I typically use for vocals)
(1) Rode NTK
(1) Audio Technica ATM250
(2) Audio Technica AT2020
(1) MXL 990
(1) MXL 991

Nothing phenomenal, but hopefully decent enough that I can improve in my DAW (Sonar Producer Edition). I have an 828MkII for an interface, and if need be, a Yamaha mixer for some additional preamps.

Since the guitar is DI'd, I can just run that through the 828. Or I could send both the guitar and the voice to the Roland AC60 amp and take a feed that way, which would limit my ability to mix the guitar songs but most of the show would take place at the piano anyhow so I would retain independence of the vocal track for the majority of the show. As it's an acoustic show, I'm not too concerned with limiting dynamics, and I typically have plenty of headroom in my DAW.

My main concern is how to get the best piano sound with the equipment outlined above. How many mics to use, which ones, and where to put them? I've never had to record acoustic piano on my own before. Is it okay to keep the lid on or should I try to take it off?

If the performance is good enough, I would like to try to use it as a live album. Should I mic the audience, and how?

Lastly, a question about vocal ambience/delays. My voice is a tad biting and benefits from slight reverb or delays. I have an Alesis Quadraverb at my disposal. Any recommended settings?

To give you an idea of the sound I'm after (or as close as I can get to it with the above-mentioned equipment)

YouTube - Elton John Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word live
And for the voice, what would get me in the ballpark of this sound? Reverb types, decay, feedback, EQing, etc - my previous attempts are too heavy-handed YouTube - Elton John-Tiny Dancer live 1971(solo)


I know this is a lot to ask, so I appreciate your advice on any or all of this. Thanks!

[4score]

bump

I'm more interested in how you would mic the piano with a combination of the mics I have access to than I am about the reverb settings. Any suggestions for a pop/rock sound with good stereo imaging?

Is it better to do high/low? Coincident pair near the hammers? LDC or SDC (is it worth tracking down another 991 or 603?) that kind of stuff.

[boojum]

I'd like to tell you what to doi, and I would if I knew. Piano mic'ing?? Well, DPA has ideas: DPA Microphones :: Miking a Grand Piano - a Super Audio CD by DPA Microphones

I would start there. Also check this book: Recording music on location ... - Google Books

This is my standard "go to" text. Well written in simple language for guys like me. ;o)