Bad idea to record piano this way?
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Posted on Apr 06, 2008 11:43 am
Beyette
In a six piece band, I'm all six
Member Since: Apr 06, 2008
I've recently been entertained with the idea of recording the piano parts on my album live at a library that has a piano that can be rented for an hour at a time. I plan on packing up my laptop and audio interface and going there to record in the sound proof room. I have a ton of crap computer mics and this one radioshack mic i used to record vocals. I'm going to get a mic stand or at least a mic holder. My main question is: because i don't have any expendable income right now to get an omni directional mic or whatever the type is called that you use for non-vocal stuff, what is the best way to record a piano as far as mic placement? I was planning on just experimenting with my headphones with the mic in different spots, but maybe someone has some ideas i wouldn't think of.
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Apr 06, 2008 02:00 pm Your idea of poking around with the mic and headphones is a good one. Or you could stick your head in the piano as it's being played, find the sweet spot, and put the mic there.
It's not an exact science. Whatever sounds good, sounds good.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Apr 06, 2008 05:53 pm Yep, Herb is right. Simply poke around a bit to see were exactly it sounds good. You can record a couple different tracks with it moved around and see what works best. Maybe even combine some.
As for doing it in the library. That is just a fine place to do it. Nice room and a piano that you know. Nothing wrong with that at all.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Apr 06, 2008 07:49 pm Maybe bring a friend to your first session. Have your friend play the piano while you probe around with the mic and headphones to find a sweet spot. It'll go much more quickly.
I think that the closer you put the mic to the actual strings, the more the recording will suffer from volume inconsistencies depending on the octave that's being played (if you mic the middle, the low and high ends will sound quieter).
that's all I've got...I'm not a piano man.
BeyetteIn a six piece band, I'm all sixMember
Since: Apr 06, 2008
Apr 06, 2008 09:26 pm wow! thanks for the immediate response people! Yeah, at the library it's a soundproof room and i think if i went in there and just asked nice they wouldn't mind what i did in that one hour. I was instantly aware of how much easier it would be if i had a second person with me. I think I'm going to have to scope out that room first though, I don't want to get the librarians there all nervous and say no if they think there's too much commotion. Maybe I could bring my buddy's mic and record two mics at the same time, his is a different one. both radioshack $30+ mine is this one: www.radioshack.com/produc...=2348188&cp His is a very similar model. Maybe i'll check out the specs and one will be better for the low frequencies and the other will be better for the high ones. again thanks for the quick response people! it's an upright piano btw
BeyetteIn a six piece band, I'm all sixMember
Since: Apr 06, 2008
Apr 06, 2008 09:27 pm Deleted By Beyette
