What is the best way to mic a grand piano?
The type of piano dictates microphone placement. Grand Piano: For the upper strings, position the microphone approximately 8 inches from the piano hammers (to reduce mechanical noise) and 8 – 11 inches above the strings, with the Pan position set to left of center.
What polar pattern is best for piano?
Using the C414 XLS, you can choose the Omni polar pattern because it sounds best when recording near the piano strings.
How do you mic a grand piano at home?
Start with a pair of omni mics placed in the bend of the piano, 15–20 inches apart, and pointing at the piano lid (a lot of the sound the audience hears is the reflections from the lid).
What is XY miking technique?
XY Stereo If you’re like most engineers, then the XY technique is probably the first stereo miking technique you learned. This one is extremely simple to set up — just position two cardioid mics (usually small-diaphragm condensers) at right angles, aligning the front of the capsules, and you’re good to go.
What is XY recording technique?
XY stereo recording uses a coincident pair of directional- or bidirectional, angled microphones. Hence, the directional information is obtained solely from the level difference between signals. In practice, “coincident” means that the microphone capsules must be placed close and normally slightly above each other (fig.
Why are condenser mics good for piano?
When you’re recording a piano, condenser mics are the best choice. This is because of the sound quality and range they provide. Dynamic mics are more robust and better at performing in noisy situations, but condenser mics are more subtle and can pick up a much greater tone range.
How do you compress and EQ a piano?
If you’re wanting to preserve much of the dynamic range of your piano track, it’s best to try a smoother compression. Try setting the threshold to around -7dB, the ratio at 3:1, the attack at 10ms and the release at around 1,000ms. If you want to make it more aggressive, drop the threshold down and make the ratio 2:1.
How to MIC a grand piano?
HOW TO MIC A GRAND PIANO 1 An ORTF stereo set-up approximately 12 inches (30 cm) over the strings at the mid frame. The microphones are pointed… 2 Two parallel cardioid microphones spaced less than 24 inches (60 cm) apart and positioned over the mid hammers… More
How do you Mike a piano?
I suggest a fishbowl placed on top of the piano, as resonance from a glass full of dollar bills is requisite for authenticity. Another popular miking technique involves a pair of PZMs placed either along opposite side rails of the piano, pointing in toward the strings, or taped to the lid pointing down.
How to capture the sound of a grand piano?
Change the position of the mics, as well as its distance from the piano, will affect the timbre and ambient sounds captured. Capturing the subtleties, nuances, and power of the grand piano will depend mostly on the type of microphone used, its placement, as well as the acoustics of the place.
How does the grand piano interact with the different rooms?
Furthermore, the grand piano interacts differently with each room in which it is placed. Since no two rooms are alike, the recording method requires independent consideration in each situation and each location.