I'm working with a piper now doing some rock and roll pipes. Wheee.
A couple of issues.
It might be best to sample the drones separate from the chanter.
Then sample the chanter by plugging up the drones.
To sample the drones, you can do a stereo pair or mono behind the piper.
Not too close. These things are made to be loud and sound best at a distance. (there's a joke in there somewhere, add your own)
The chanter is similar but in front of the piper. Again, if it's too close, it starts to sound sterile.
Of course the real problem will be trying to play it from the keyboard.
Something about the inflections that you can't really pull off with a sample.
enjoy.

Wear isolation headphones.
Don't close mike them.
Get a dynamic or something that will handle stupid SPLs.
Don't put them in a small room, if possible record outside in the hills.

Oh, and don't ask what's under the players kilt. If he's man enough to wear one that is.

Nasty reed instruments sound far less awful on ribbon microphones. I have American & German ribbons but think a Coles from the UK would be just the ticket! I'd also go with an Electro-Voice RE 20 dynamic. I wouldn't even grab for a condenser microphone. Ouch.

I'm not wearing any under weird either
Ms. Remy Ann David

Codemonkey wrote:
if possible record outside in the hills....

And i am doing exactly that next month!

:D

RemyRAD wrote: I have American & German ribbons but think a Coles from the UK would be just the ticket! I'd also go with an Electro-Voice RE 20 dynamic. I wouldn't even grab for a condenser microphone. Ouch.

I'm not wearing any under weird either
Ms. Remy Ann David

Hey Remmy!

I do not have a ribbon on me, nor the RE20, but i can get te RE27. you reckon ? Or is the 27 too bright ??

Yeah, that's the ticket. The 27 is a slightly brighter higher output version. But exactly what you need. I believe that will work and sound very good.

Delicious sounding large diaphragm dynamic
Ms. Remy Ann David

I have found amazingly little information on the web about recording pipes. (I know all the jokes.) Today at lunch in a local bar, I struck up a conversation with the leader of a local pipe band. Maybe it's THE local pipe band. Anyway, I suggested that the band hire me to help them create a CD for promotions and sales. Interest was sparked and discussions with the powers that be promised. Those who are "into" pipes and pipe bands seem to be a bit obssesive, er, interested.

I was considering a large circle with pipes on one side and drums on the other (as they normally play) with a padded Blumlein in the middle. They would not be moving.

Now, has anyone had experience recording a pipe band? I suppose I could muddle my way through this, but feeding from others' experiences seems to be more efficient. Any help out there?

Here are a couple of fairly recent threads on the subject.

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What kind of space are you thinking of for the project?

We have not discussed space yet. I assume it may be in a fairly nice acoustic space like my church sanctuary. The rafters overhead need to be dusted anyway.

The threads you listed, while always informative, mostly describe one set of pipes. I'm talking 12 pipers and 8 drummers. Yikes! :!:

Hmmmm. There's another thread - within the last year or two I think - where a guy had a pipe club bigger than your group and wanted to record it. I couldn't find it. Anyone remember?

My first guess would be to arrange them like an orchestra rather than in a circle. Stereo pair in the center. (I'd try ribbons if you have them.) Pair of omni outriggers.

Orchestra set-up makes sense. Thanks.

No ribbons here. I'll try the stereo pair in ORTF and Blumlein with omini outriggers.

MBBCFP wrote: We have not discussed space yet. I assume it may be in a fairly nice acoustic space like my church sanctuary. The rafters overhead need to be dusted anyway.

The threads you listed, while always informative, mostly describe one set of pipes. I'm talking 12 pipers and 8 drummers. Yikes! :!:

Make sure the lords-a-leaping stay the hell out of the way.

The swans are really bad; worse than goose poop.

Speaking of the pear tree and a partridge...
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