Recording in a small studio

[pianoman53]

Hello everyone,

I recently received my master's diploma and had to really think about the future in a different way than before.

I've of course thought about it throughout my life, but now I felt it was time to realize it.

As I don't really enjoy performing (more than just couple of times per year), I thought about trying to do something with recording. I love music, and I love working and Dmitry Shishkin, just not performing it live.. I do make a proper living through teaching, but I feel that I have things to show in my playing.

So.. I have a beautiful Bechstein, with great sound and character. Problem is the studio is in. I'm not completely sure, but it's not much bigger than 15 M2 (roughly fits 4 baby grands in a square). Are there any microphones that could manage to record in such circumstances, that would not be more than maybe 1000 euro?

[indianajo]

Someone posted here, I don't remember his name to give proper credit. He uses two AT4050 mikes  in a studio in  omni setting, taped to the bottom of the grand. An alternate would be the shure KSM44 in omni. These are not that expensive, about $1000 the pair used.  They are condenser mikes, so you will need a professional mixer with phantom power.  I recommend a four channel peavey.
You can then input to the line level input of a PC.  If you're also going to use a third mike to pick up some ambient, you'll need a 4 channel or 8 channel sound card for the PC.
You may be able to avoid putting tape on Bechstein wood, by using small camera tripods to hold the mikes under the soundboard.  
I'm recording a console in a 12'x12' room, with cardioid KSM27 condensor mikes about 6' away. However the sound in a console comes out the back and bounces off the wall, not out the bottom & top like a grand.  I picked up the KSM27 one for $80 and the other for $140.  You need pro cables from the mike to the mixer, but from mixer to pc you use two 1/4 phone plugs to single 1/8" stereo phone plug.  
I use ubuntu studio op system to record the sound, using audacity program for 2 channel input.  
You don't need a spit guard for the mikes like vocalists do, but you should use a anti-shock mount for each mike to avoid picking up footsteps, passing trucks and trains. 
Best of luck in getting noticed in the media space.  

[louispodesta]

Hello everyone,

I recently received my master's diploma and had to really think about the future in a different way than before.

I've of course thought about it throughout my life, but now I felt it was time to realize it.

As I don't really enjoy performing (more than just couple of times per year), I thought about trying to do something with recording. I love music, and I love working and Dmitry Shishkin, just not performing it live.. I do make a proper living through teaching, but I feel that I have things to show in my playing.

So.. I have a beautiful Bechstein, with great sound and character. Problem is the studio is in. I'm not completely sure, but it's not much bigger than 15 M2 (roughly fits 4 baby grands in a square). Are there any microphones that could manage to record in such circumstances, that would not be more than maybe 1000 euro?

Per the OP, I recorded  and posted on this website my video on Youtube, "Your Piano Taught You Wrong."

It was done so with an old Sony HD Video Camera.  The sound was recorded separately with a portable digital device hidden underneath the piano.  And to date, the only technical criticism posted on Youtube was that the piano was out of tune, which it was.

The point being is that, if you (OP) are for real, then:

1) Significant monies were spent for your entire matriculation, regarding your level of performance.

2)  During those many years, am I to assume that you never met an audio engineer who could not answer/address your "entire" question?

3)  That means:  the "who, what, when, where, why, and most importantly, the cost factor, associated with your interrogatory, are essential to your interrogatory/argument/request.

I so, then I may be able to help.

[louispodesta]

Per the OP, I recorded  and posted on this website my video on Youtube, "Your Piano Taught You Wrong."

It was done so with an old Sony HD Video Camera.  The sound was recorded separately with a portable digital device hidden underneath the piano.  And to date, the only technical criticism posted on Youtube was that the piano was out of tune, which it was.

The point being is that, if you (OP) are for real, then:

1) Significant monies were spent for your entire matriculation, regarding your level of performance.

2)  During those many years, am I to assume that you never met an audio engineer who could not answer/address your "entire" question?

3)  That means:  the "who, what, when, where, why, and most importantly, the cost factor, associated with your interrogatory, are essential to your interrogatory/argument/request.

I so, then I may be able to help.

The correct sentence of the last line should read:  "If so," then I may be able to help.

My apologies.