Ervin Nyiregyhazi - untitled composition dated June, 1970

[michael_sayers]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first recording in six years and I intend to make a habit of it.  Some lessons were learned about both the filmography and the audio.  Hopefully the next one will be better in these regards, and I hope you enjoy the recording!

[maxim3]

Very nice! How often does one get to hear interpretations of compositions by that fascinating kook Nyiregyhazi? I read his biography recently and it was spellbinding.

The filmography looks fine to me for a one-man operation, but your audio approach needs more development. I'm not sure the mic placement is ideal for that particular room. Obviously recording an acoustic piano is an art in itself and takes a bit of reading, practice, and experience. Clearly you're at least halfway there.

Here's the sound quality you should be aiming for -- unfortunately I am not in a position to advise you how to do it, but I am confident that you could get quite close with your current equipment plus some post-production with good audio software:

Another thing to keep in mind is simply renting a production-quality microphone for several hours on recording day. For a few bucks you will have the use of something which costs thousands.

[michael_sayers]

Renting microphones is a good idea.  I've thought about purchasing a matched pair of the very accurate and sensitive Oktava MK-012 microphones and being done with it.  They seem to be a little bright but the price is quite reasonable.  The audio and video of the recording was done with a Zoom Q8 which has improved audio over the the Zoom H2 I have from years ago.  It has preamps, phantom power and jacks for two external mics.  Recording a piano seems quite difficult due to the many variables.  I tend to think of a high quality recording as capturing both a lot of detail and dynamics in the piano sound and also some of the hall sound, which maybe at its best involves four microphones, two near the piano and two further out.

I would rather be able to play like Valentina Lisitsa than record like her! 

The interest in Nyiregyhazi's music seems minimal.  I incline to think it is good to do some things other pianists don't want to do.

Thanks for listening to the recording!