Microphones for a baby Grand?

[jwalk07]

Hello! I have a Yamaha baby grand piano, and am looking at recording methods. I'm completely new, but have gone through a site called tweakheadz in an effort to get a strong enough idea to produce youtube recordings. Like everyone else, I'm on a budget, and am trying to get a reasonably sounding setup for under $300. At the same time, I'm trying to not make the mistake of "price equals quality."

The first microphone that I've given a serious look at is the Shure PG81. Does anyone have any experience with this microphone? I have found only one sample for piano; most people who admitted to using it use either drums or guitars.

The first thing that I notice is the static in the background, and later the piercing high notes and dull low notes. It doesn't seem like anything that I would want to listen to (which is the whole point of a recording). In another video, you can see that he's using an upright, so the accoustics would obviously be completely different.

To clarify, is there anyone with a similar budget and piano that could recommend me some microphones?

[jimbo320]

I have a friend who uses this mic for his recordings and it does fine. Open your piano to half mast and boom this mic inside under the lid of your piano over the strings about half way between the strings and lid. For a different sound place the mic at the end of the piano with the lid open slightly. That's how he does it....

Musically, Jimbo

https://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Shure-SM58-Microphone-with-Cable-Stand?sku=485179

[jwalk07]

Interesting. I might have to go for the SM58 then. Is it possible for you to give me a link to some of his recordings, or are they private/not on youtube?

Thanks!

[quantum]

I started this thread a couple years ago when searching for mics, you may find the info useful:
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=10124.0

In the end I decided on a pair of Studio Projects B1 mics.  I've been very pleased with them.  You can hear recordings I've done with them in the Audition room.  Most have been with the Edirol UA-25 as a preamp.  I've done a couple with a Firepod as preamp, but still prefer the warmer sound of the Edirol. 

Personally, I'd stay away from using SM58's for piano.  These are really vocal mics.  Due to their popularity they can be found almost anywhere, and you can see so many people using them for recording anything under the sun, but really they are not suited to record the very wide frequency range that a piano can produce.  I recorded a Steinway B with them, and they did not do any justice to the instrument. 

[jwalk07]

Ahh this is exactly what I needed! Thanks for digging this up. I'm going to give these a thorough read as soon as I can and see what I can do to extend my budget.