1st Attempt at Recording

[iwo]

I'd appreciate some constructive comments on improving my recording skills.
I did notice that when I converted to mp3 the sound got a bit harsher.  This is a straight recording without any effects/adjustments (yet  )
Also, you may notice the piano is about due for a tuning.
For fun, would anyone care to guess  the piano?
The song is an original that I am presently working on.
Thanks!

[pianistimo]

sounds a bit similar to 'comptine d'un autre ete' - but slightly different.

i guess a studio upright.  a yamaha or kawaii.  and in terms of recording advice- i haven't got any.  i barely  know how to record myself.  if i knew more about recording, i'd be busy doing the best to record on my piano instead of midi keyboard.

i do notice that the recording sounds much more open in the treble than most recordings on here.  almost too open.  like you're on top of a mountain.  it has a great effect for some pieces like the one you are playing - but a less 'precise' sound for classical music - where you try to 'reign in' the sound so that you have a clear idea when it has fully dissipated.  you can almost time the decay on a regular piano.

[iwo]

Thanks for your comments & observations. 

sounds a bit similar to 'comptine d'un autre ete' - but slightly different.

Out of curiosity I downloaded Comptine d'un autre été from iTunes because I never heard it before.   I've got to say that "similar but slightly different" is too strongly stated & way-off-the-mark ...as is your guess of instrument 

[pianistimo]

ok  let's go the other route.  it's a digital.  therefore - more open in the treble, more reverb, and more uncontrolled pedal and sound. 

you can get similar effects with recording techniques on a regular piano - but it's easier to get this sound from a digital.  just by adding reverb.

[andyd]

An older mid-sized Steinway grand.  Hope I've made your day.

Andy

[pianistimo]

yes.  if it needs a tuning - it can't be a digital.  ok.

[iwo]

"sounds a bit similar to 'comptine d'un autre ete' - but slightly different"
"more uncontrolled pedal and sound"

I'm not normally a defensive person, so why is it that all your comments rub me the wrong way?  I do find some solace in that you have actually been wrong in all your observations, but still feel it necessary to point out that I was asking for "constructive comments on improving my recording skills" 

[andyd]

As someone who uses a camcorder to just get an audience perspective I can't help on the recording side.

As you're apparently not a vintage Steinway lover, I'll make a second guess.  Is the piano a new Imperial?


Andy

[iwo]

Do people exist that don't  like vintage Steinways?! 
Yes, you are correct though that it is a newer piano (3yrs) and it is a grand  ...but not an Imperial 

[pianistimo]

sorry i rub you the wrong way. 

i know nothing about recording, as i said, so you don't have to take anything of what i say about recording very seriously.  i have noticed - however, that a dramatic lessening of this 'open' sound happens when there is thick sound proofing on the walls.  carpet.  whatever. 

i am actually very curious how this would sound if you mic'd it further away.  to me, it seems too close and too 'intense.'  also, that you hear the 'action.'  i'd like to hear the 'impression' of the piece from about 2 ft away with a shepps microphone.  (the only way i found out about those - is my husband had one).  they are like those hearing devices you can use to listen to someone talking on the other side of the street.

you know, only lately have i become even the slightest bit interested in recording techniques.  it really does make a difference how and what you do - and i suppose one could set up quite a few different arrangments and compare.  i guess it depends on how much time you have.  if i were there - perhaps i could help you?  you know, tap the microphone over here and over there.  occasionally 'play something' when it's all set up. 

square walls are the bane of recording.  that's all i know.

[iwo]

pianistimo now you are making observations I can use, Thank You 
I too was concerned that the room was too "live" and the sound of the instrument's mechanics were coming through too much.

[pianistimo]

you make me feel happy that maybe i AM noticing things about recording now.  believe it or not - my husband used to do some professional recording for speaking and music, etc.  - now i see why he was so doting over his microphones and amps and mixers.  wires.  it seemed that we took the house with us whenever travelling.  nowdays things are so light and comparatively easier to use. 

hubby subscribes to 'recording' magazine. 

[andyd]

iwo, to be honest, I had and have no idea what your piano is.   It's difficult enough to guess with a list to choose from and an excellent recording set up.
Anyway, as Richter and many others have pointed out, the piano matters far less than the pianist when it comes to music.  One of the greatest pieces of music I've heard was played on an old upright with less than 88 keys. 

I'm still considering what sound recording kit to buy, hence my real interest in this thread. 

Regards

Andy

[iwo]

iwo, to be honest, I had and have no idea what your piano is.   It's difficult enough to guess with a list to choose from and an excellent recording set up.
Anyway, as Richter and many others have pointed out, the piano matters far less than the pianist when it comes to music.  One of the greatest pieces of music I've heard was played on an old upright with less than 88 keys. 

I'm still considering what sound recording kit to buy, hence my real interest in this thread. 

Too bad it took you 3 posts to state the obvious & add nothing....hey, whatever makes your boat float.
....oh, and your previous comments were so clever ...to quote you "Hope I've made your day"