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tracker 24 October 2005

Hi,

As I don't have a real piano in my small studio, a client (singer/pianist) asked me if I could record her on the small Yamaha grand piano that is available in our local hall.

I was wondering which mic setup might be best. I have a pair of AKG414EB mics that I thought of using in an X-Y config over the hammer area and using a RODE Classic valve mic on vocals.

Would there be any use in using a room mic? I thought if it was just piano then that would be the best option, but as the room is probably not the best acoustically maybe I am just better sticking with the close mic arrangement so as not to pick up "room" vocals.

Any suggestions much appreciated.

Cheers

Comments

anonymous Thu, 10/27/2005 - 03:24

One way to work is:

use the 414 for recording the piano, one 414 in figure of 8 parallel to the hammers and the other in cardioid at the bottom. That way you can record a real nice piano sound while having less crosstalk from the singer. (she is in the hole of the figure of 8 pattern)

You will have to try to avoid phase issues but this setup has worked for me mor e than once.

anonymous Thu, 10/27/2005 - 11:12

you could try recording with the lid down.
To do this use a couple of Crown professional PZM's and gaffa them to some precut pieces of perspex. Then lay the perspex sheets onto the metal frame of the grand. The perspex gives you more surface area and thus better freqency range and having the lid closed might help with any spillage..
Hope this was of some use..

tracker Thu, 10/27/2005 - 18:19

Thanks for all your suggestions.

I think I will take my mics there before the recording and experiment a little, then see what works best. I don't have any PZM mics so will try the A B approach and the fig8 one suggested. I am sure I will enjoy the challenge of getting the best sound for the situation :wink:

Cheers,

Dave

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