Is this a grand piano or an upright? What mics do you have now?

thanks for the reply

it's an upright

I don't have any (half-)serious mics
(only a very very very cheap thingy)

I'm interested in a classical sound (I like minimalistic/modern classical stuff like Philip Glass, Wim Mertens)
As I'm used to midi, I'm interested in catching some subtle "imperfections", like release sounds, hitting a key,

so what type am I looking for
some brands-types, would be helpfull
(preamp?, placement?)

Cheers

since I'm about to buy a mic or two
here's some other things I might wanna record:
tenor, alt, sopran sax
acoustic guitar
vocals

I guess this will have it's impact on deciding which mic(s) go(es) best with the piano?

Cheers

Hmmm...well, are you going to the cheapo route or actually willing to shell out cash for a decent mic? These factors are important..Preamps..there's tons of em..Presonus..Apogee..Aphex..Manley..TL Audio..etc etc
Mics..too many to list!!
To start with..AKG..Shure..Neumann..Schoeps(sp?)..CAD..Earthworks..
In fact..I would almost reccomend a pair of earthwork mics..very sensitive but very accurate! Not too high priced either. Of course you will need a external mic pre with phantom power as the Tascam US428 does not provide phantom power..nor would I reccomend using the US428 for high end micing anyways!
AKG 535 mics are great high end frequency response for piano, accoustic or overhead micing.
Seinheiser 441's are great mics for snares, horns and accoustic recording.
Shure makes a somewhat decent condensor mic called the AXS4..I use it on Accoustic instruments and micing a guitar cab!
For classical recording you dont want to do close micing techniques..classical recording is about open room sounds..nuances are caught thru the piano player..if you want to close mic it just dont get too close for classical recording.
Just some tips and so forth!!
Opus

Hi Opus2000

Thanks for the reply
I checked some prices for the mics you mentioned,
but I can't afford that right now (after a new pc and shipping tuning the piano...)

So I guess I have to start the "cheapo" way.

My goal is to add more human touch / live feel to the midi-thing I'm doing (electronic music like plaid, boards of canada, orbital).

I'm not good at playing the piano, but I've learned a bit over time. I did play the sax for 7 (?) years, but that was more then a decade ago.
Whatever I record will be mostly burried in the mix (not too much hopefully :-)

The creative thing about music is what keeps me interested. I'm not yet into perfecting my soundquality. But I don't want to buy a mic for basskicks if I want to record acoustic strings and wood.

Maybe this will give you (or anyone else) an idea of what I'm looking for?

Cheers

Hi

Try to find a pair of Radio Shack PZM's for your piano.

Peace.

Hi Han

You're from The Netherlands too?

I'm not sure I understand "Radio Shack PZM's"

Could you explain?

Cheers

Speaking of cheap, a great buy in a dirt cheap mixer is the Behringer Eurorack MX802a. Four mic pres WITH phantom power, plus a couple of stereo line channels in a very sturdy and compact box.

GentleG(iant?)

PZM microphones are very versatile microphones and not critical for placement like many other mics.

It's a small metal plate with a small condenser capsule in the middle of it (omni)

If you put a PZM in front of you on the table and play an acoustic guitar, flute, violin or whatever acoustic instrument, you will always have at least a decent sound.

RS PZM's are/were indeed some $50 new, but I understand not available anymore.

http://www.radioshack.com/searchgate.asp?type=ALL&find=PZM#

I tape two RS PZM's to the lid of a grand piano and always have a decent sound.

Yes I'm from the Netherlands, Ik ben een Hollander :)

Peace.

behringer 602 is even cheaper

why is the friend of your mother's sister's cousin's girlfriend getting rid of the piano in the first place?

Thanks for all the replies

This guy thought the piano doesn't fit esthetically in his livingroom, or something :-)

It arrived yesterday
Not in a really good shape, but hey, what do you expect.
Needs more then tuning I think
Some hammers fall back too loud
Some hammers you have to press down really hard to get a sound

But very nice overall
Although I have to share it with my wife ;-)

Can't fix that with a mic, can you?