All language subtitles for Basic Recording Techniques The Piano

as far as acoustic instruments go the

piano is perhaps the most mechanically

and sonically complex of them all a

grand piano can consist of over 7,000

parts and there's about seven thousand

ways to mic one here are a few

techniques to dial in the perfect piano

sound for our first set up we have the

mics inside the piano for a bright pop

sound this offers good isolation which

can be improved by lowering the lid we

have a pair of 1846 t tube condensers

eleven inches above the strings pointed

straight down a microphone with an

extremely consistent cardioid pickup

pattern throughout the frequency

spectrum like the forty sixty is ideal

for piano when using two mics like this

it's important to observe the three to

one rule by keeping the mics at least

three times farther from each others in

the sound source in this case the

strings of the piano proper phase

alignment can be maintained always make

sure to check phase at the console to

one mic is placed at the center of each

string group be careful not to get too

close to the strings to ensure that

strings closest to the mic aren't over

emphasize brightness can be increased by

moving closer to the Hammers or

conversely lessen by moving away

you

next we'll use a stereo pair outside the

piano for more natural solo piano sound

here we have a pair of 1840 51b small

diaphragm condensers in x/y about three

feet in front of the piano five feet off

the ground the best way to find the

ideal location is to move around the

room why the pianist plays the spot that

sounds best to your ears will probably

sound best to the mics too

Oh

you

the full sound of the piano can also be

captured with a single mic here we have

an 80 20 20 cardioid condenser just

outside the piano again walking around

while the player plays is the best way

to find a sweet spot

placing the mic close to the piano will

keep it from being overly roomy

but

you

with these techniques you can tame any

piano on the stage or in the studio

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