What mic should i use to record piano

When using this mic, you can use up to 9 different polar patterns, switching easily from one to other. You can also use 3-way switchable bass filters and 3 different levels of pads to get you the best sound possible without distorting it. The NT5 is quite a step up from the Rode M5, which was featured earlier on this list.

This is a stereo pair of mics with very decent recording quality. In the set, you will also find a windshield, stand adapter, and plastic case for traveling.

This is a great buy for home musicians looking to record themselves without spending tons of money on studio equipment. MXL is not quite as much of a household brand in the microphone industry as the previous ones on this list, but they have made a very strong name for themselves with quality mics at good price points. 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.

A single, large-diaphragm cardioid condenser mic is put just outside the piano, in a sweet spot where it can pick up most of the sounds. It is best to use two microphones when recording a piano. However, you can also use just one if you have a good enough microphone and you are happy with the sound that it records. Condenser mics are far better to use. I hope that this article has helped you learn something new about what microphones to use when recording piano.

Whether you are a professional music producer looking to pick up the best piano mic available or a home musician looking to get a budget-friendly option that will give you nice sound quality, there should be an option for everyone on this list. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The C XLS omnidirectional position frequency response graph is as follows:. This is because omni microphones often yield the most natural sound when miking the grand piano.

If we were tasked with capturing the sound of a grand piano with a single microphone, my first thought would be to place an AKG C to the side of the grand piano a few feet away and roughly 5 feet from the ground. You can check out the other polar patterns and frequency response graphs in the manual here.

The C has a very flat frequency response. This means the microphone will reproduce sound in the form of a mic signal with pristine accuracy. A flat frequency response is critical when miking a grand piano.

This means the microphone will output a strong signal when subjected to exterior sound pressure. For more information on microphone sensitivity, check out my article What Is Microphone Sensitivity?

An In-Depth Description. The light-weight large diaphragms of the C are very reactive and the microphone has a very accurate transient response. Because the C XLS is an active condenser microphone, it has interior electronics that cause self-noise.

These electronics are there, in part, to help boost the mic signal for a better sensitivity rating. Fortunately, though, the self-noise rating of the C is only 6 dBA, which is barely noticeable even in the quietest iso-booths.

This allows the C to capture the slightest amount of sound pressure variation and, therefore, the little nuances of the grand piano sound. Equivalent Noise Level. A common choice for recording the natural sound of the grand piano is the omnidirectional mode. The C omnidirectional pattern graph is shown below:.

That being said, please experiment with the 8 other patterns the C has to offer. You can check out the other graphs in the manual here. As we can see here, the C does become more directional at higher frequencies in the omnidirectional mode. This is typical of microphones. For more information on the omnidirectional microphone polar pattern, check out my article What Is An Omnidirectional Microphone?

But this is just the omnidirectional mode. As discussed earlier, the C has a whopping 9 different selectable polar patterns. Getting back to versatility, the AKG C will work in any position or miking technique. The Neumann U87s are multi-pattern large diaphragm condenser microphones. They are recommended as grand piano microphones due to their great versatility, wide frequency response, and accurate diaphragms.

These microphones are both excellent choices on grand piano. The U87AI can play a role in any kind of microphone array or position required when miking a grand piano. Having all the above options available in the U87 makes it an ideal microphone for many of the grand piano miking techniques.

The frequency response of the Neumann U87 is listed as 20 Hz — 20, Hz. Here is the frequency response graph of the U87 in cardioid mode:. This helps to accentuate the upper frequencies of the grand piano. An enrichment of these frequencies helps to enhance the character of the grand piano and add brightness to the piano signal. Another important note is that at the very upper range of the U87AI frequency response there is actually a roll-off. The roll-off protects the microphone from yielding an overly bright and harsh sound.

This is critical in the days of digital recording, where the high-end is often over emphasized. Note that one of the biggest differences between the U87AI and the vintage U87 is that the newer AI edition sounds slightly brighter than the original. The high-pass filter of the U87AI is designed mostly to counteract the proximity effect when used in close-miking situations.

If we are to use the U87 in a close-mic array on a grand piano, try engaging the HPF and listen to which version of the signal sounds best to you. I have had the experience using two of these with a Steinway and I have to say, I was blown away by how beautiful it turned out. This is for high-end studios and serious producers who afford them.

To record stereo, you will need 2 of them. Below is a video of a song that I recorded the piano on with two U87s. I really believe it turned out to sound beautiful. I hope you found this helpful and that you were able to pick out the best possible option for your need.

Your email address will not be published. By Chris Senner December 29, No comments. Dreamland Studios — Me recording piano on a Steinway Grand. Check Current Price. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. You May Also Like. Read More. Some of my favorite songs ever put out into the world are also songs that have incredible synthesizer….

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