Stereo Piano Mic

[Martin]

I do so much piano recording its not funny, mostly with a semi-portable rig (two avalons, 24/48k etc)

At the moment i usually experiement on each piano with xy or spaced pair, not much MS at this point, MS would be an option but i don't have many fig8 or omni mics in my kit so that means buying 3 rather than 1...... which brings me to my next err... point..

[i]Anyone have any favourite piano mics? stereo mics perhaps? [/i]

over $2k is too much, but under that amount and it will pay itsself off rather quickly

[Ausrock]

Martin,

I haven't used one, but have you considered looking at the Studio Projects LD Stereo mic.

[Martin]

thanks for the tip ausrock, looks the goods! would prefer something like that over an NT4, which was the only other thing i could think of... large diaphragm and multi pattern are a plus

[Ausrock]

I would imagine (maybe incorrectly) that the ability to rotate one capsule in relation to the other could be handy over a piano.

BTW, watch for a PM.

[Martin]

he wasn't on TV...

[Ausrock]

I think he's in Pakistan but anyways, check you Private Messages :-)

[Simon B]

I assume you mean for a grand or baby grand piano? I dont know anything about dpa mics, but from the ads in audio tech they look like they are designed purely for piano micing.

[Chris H]

The Rode K2 is a good option at around $1000 each for the large diaphram option softer sounding mic
For a stereo mic i often use a shure VP88. It's a fantastic mic to have in your kit for many varied applications. It has a fantastic stereo image

http://www.shure.com/microphones/models/vp88.asp

A1 Audio's price is $1895
http://a1audio.com.au/products.php?acti ... uct&id=333

The price in the US seems to be ariund $750-$800 US

[Martin]

thanks for that, i already often use to NTK's, which are quite similar to a K2 (just no variable pattern i think)... looking for good phase relationship and detailed sound over soft and fluffy

will check out those two, i figure im going to have to spend well over a grand to get the kind of sound i'm after

also i think its coming down to the room in a big way now, the piano itself is great, the room not so much... its a 6ft grand by the way

[Martin]

here's a piano i recorded today, + a vocal...

this is the kind of sound im getting from it at the moment, not the most fantastic player but gives a good indication of the kind of sounds im getting..

How? 2 x rode NTK's, 2 x Avalon 737's, 002 @ 44.1/24bit... bit of reverb bit of vocal compression

http://members.iinet.net.au/~martinm/blessingpiano.mp3

2mins 192kbps MP3

[Adam Dempsey]

For upright pianos, how many of you use the trick of moving it away from the wall (it should start to sound better anyway) & mic it from behind the soundboard itself (find a sweet spot) or combine that with overheads?
Try it - even with just a dynamic, nice & close at the back facing the soundboard with stereo overheads for a full tone.

[Jason]

I use Gefell M300's alot of the time as a spaced pair. Or, a M300 on the top and a 70.1s on the bottom up close works good for somethings.

[Kris]

I'd suggest a pair of Earthworks.

Check here:

http://www.earthworksaudio.com/34.html

[Martinez]

I wanted to suggest earthworks but I havent used them myself.

Kris have you used them?

I've only heard the A/B comparison cd.

they seem to sound pretty good to my ears.

[norm]

We use a pair of Royer ribbons up front and a Neumann 184 set further back. The best value for money stereo mic is the AKG c34. You can pick them up for under $500 second hand and they are awesome. Regards Norm

[Chris H]

Some nice mics there Norm. A bit beyond my budget exept the AKG. I might check that one out although the risk factor in 2nd hand can be a worry.

[wez]

i'll second the C34... i was going to mention it but i thought it was out of your price range. $500 on ebay, really? no way, that's like a $4000 mic, surely? anyway, i used one extensively for a few years and they're pretty nice on a lot of stuff.

but for piano i'd be looking at the b&k (dpa) 4006, i like the earthworks idea, i even like the old sennheiser ME80 for something different. point being that i think you want a pair rather than a stereo mic, sooner or later you'll want to do the spaced omni thing, or similar. so much more flexible.

[norm]

Hi Wez, I picked my c34 off ebay about 18 months ago from the UK, I paid just short of $500 all up plus postage and I got stuck with some customs. I have seen these mics on occasion and because they are stereo they tend to be shunned. Still the best under priced thing going in this line. Back to the piano set up. I have read that you can also mic the sound board from the bottom, however we have not tried that as yet.

[mal stanley]

If you are recording live then often spaced mics close are the way to go..esp to combat drum bleed..if in the studio you could try 2 x AKG 414 ULBs which are very nuetral..you can configure as xy or spaced...I use them often with great success...if you shop around you should be able to
get a pair for under $3000 plus you can use them on many other sources..the 414ULBs are a bit too coloured for piano though very useful for vocals/drum oheads etc...

[mal stanley]

woops...should have said the 414TL11's are a bit too coloured for piano...