Solo Piano

jdvmi · 2nd October 2007

Can anyone describe the mixing chain they like to use for solo piano? Particularly after it has been tracked. What plugs, if any, do you like to use on a solo piano track to get it full and up front? Any tips and tricks for a solo piano piece would be great. Thanks!

fifthcircle · 2nd October 2007

Get it right in tracking and you won't need much in mixing. (of course you can say that about most recording).

In all seriousness, though, I try to record everything at as high of a quality as possible. While recording, if I'm thinking about how XXXXX plug will help the sound, I'm probably doing something wrong and it is time to move/change the mics/preamps.

The placement and choice is very much dependent on the style of music that I'm recording. If it is classical, I usually reach for either Schoeps or DPA omnis and place an A-B pair 4-6 feet out from the piano. If it is jazz, perhaps Microtech Gefell M930's inside the instrument, either back from the hammers or as an interior ORTF pair. Pop work may add a 3rd mic at the tail of the instrument... It just depends...

--Ben

jdvmi · 2nd October 2007

Thanks Benjamin,
I can see where the tracking would be very important. Unfortunately I don't have a "real" piano just yet I'm mostly working with piano plugs and also the piano sound from my s90ES which is a really good piano. When dealing with piano plugs do you usually put a limiter across the 2 bus to get the levels up to a competitive level. I understand there is no substitute for a good mastering engineer, but if your just trying to get close to a finished sound from a demo of a solo piano what would be the recomendation?

Here is an example of the results I'm currently getting and to me it just feels like I might be missing something.

fifthcircle · 3rd October 2007

IMO, no plugin is going to make any sampled piano sound real... Sorry. Acoustic instruments sound the way they do for a reason.

That being said, listening on my crappy computer speakers, your sample isn't bad, but could use a touch of EQ. Probably a relatively bright reverb will help open it up a bit, but there isn't much in the way of harmonic content. If it ain't there, nothing you can do will bring it in.

Don't think about making it loud. Make a mix that can stand on its own and don't worry if you have to turn it up. Too many albums are ruined by compression.

--Ben

2nd October 2007	#1
jdvmi Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 157 Thread Starter	Solo Piano Can anyone describe the mixing chain they like to use for solo piano? Particularly after it has been tracked. What plugs, if any, do you like to use on a solo piano track to get it full and up front? Any tips and tricks for a solo piano piece would be great. Thanks!

2nd October 2007	#2
fifthcircle Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3,323	Get it right in tracking and you won't need much in mixing. (of course you can say that about most recording). In all seriousness, though, I try to record everything at as high of a quality as possible. While recording, if I'm thinking about how XXXXX plug will help the sound, I'm probably doing something wrong and it is time to move/change the mics/preamps. The placement and choice is very much dependent on the style of music that I'm recording. If it is classical, I usually reach for either Schoeps or DPA omnis and place an A-B pair 4-6 feet out from the piano. If it is jazz, perhaps Microtech Gefell M930's inside the instrument, either back from the hammers or as an interior ORTF pair. Pop work may add a 3rd mic at the tail of the instrument... It just depends... --Ben __________________ Benjamin Maas Fifth Circle Audio Long Beach, CA http://www.fifthcircle.com

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3rd October 2007	#4
fifthcircle Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3,323	IMO, no plugin is going to make any sampled piano sound real... Sorry. Acoustic instruments sound the way they do for a reason. That being said, listening on my crappy computer speakers, your sample isn't bad, but could use a touch of EQ. Probably a relatively bright reverb will help open it up a bit, but there isn't much in the way of harmonic content. If it ain't there, nothing you can do will bring it in. Don't think about making it loud. Make a mix that can stand on its own and don't worry if you have to turn it up. Too many albums are ruined by compression. --Ben