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Topic: Got a Grand Piano - Looking for recording tips  (Read 815 times)

Offline rudolfcicko

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Got a Grand Piano - Looking for recording tips
on: May 20, 2020, 11:57:58 AM
Hello dear pianists!

I just got a new grand piano one month ago and I am trying to improve the recording quality. I would highly appreciate some tips to improve my audio recording quality: https://www.instagram.com/p/CAOMfKiJa4c/

Piano will be tuned in few days but equally I need something to improve the recordings. I just got a mic pair: https://www.thomann.de/cz/rode_nt5_stativ_bundle.htm but sound is not really improved. I guess I have to play more with the EQ and positions.

The piano is a Samick so I guess is normal that it won't sound like a Steinway, and my technique is still very poor to control properly the sound.

Thank you so much in advance! :P

Offline quantum

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Re: Got a Grand Piano - Looking for recording tips
Reply #1 on: May 21, 2020, 03:29:26 AM
Those are good mics.  What are you plugging your mics into?  Can you give more details on all the devices in your recording chain?

On your recording device, make sure to select the correct sound source for your NT5's.  Make sure your device is not using it's built in mic. 

You should post your op 10/4 here.  People might like to hear it  ;)
Made a Liszt. Need new Handel's for Soler panel & Alkan foil. Will Faure Stein on the way to pick up Mendels' sohn. Josquin get Wolfgangs Schu with Clara. Gone Chopin, I'll be Bach

Offline rudolfcicko

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Re: Got a Grand Piano - Looking for recording tips
Reply #2 on: May 21, 2020, 07:15:03 AM
Thank you for your answer!

I am using UR22 USB Audio Interface and as Software I am using Cubase 9.5 Elements.

And I am glad you like it :) I will post it

Offline alex-plays.org

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Re: Got a Grand Piano - Looking for recording tips
Reply #3 on: May 22, 2020, 07:16:11 AM

Much has been written on micing of the grand piano, and I'm no expert, but how much have you experimented with the physical positioning of the microphones in your room ?

Try different positions exhaustively and I suspect that you will find the sweet spot.

Where were your mics physically located relative to the piano at the time of the recording ?

BTW - You are an astonishing talent.

Offline ronde_des_sylphes

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Re: Got a Grand Piano - Looking for recording tips
Reply #4 on: May 22, 2020, 10:12:31 PM
The mics you have are good mics. I've used them successfully for professional recording projects. I suspect your biggest problem is the small room. In general you don't want them super near to the piano, but judging from what I can see in the video, you don't have a lot of room to play with. Have you tried opening the piano lid? Mic position will definitely have an effect on the sound, but there's only so much you can do in a small room.
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Offline rudolfcicko

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Re: Got a Grand Piano - Looking for recording tips
Reply #5 on: May 25, 2020, 01:42:55 PM
I think I just found out one good solution. Piano closed and microphone 50 cm far. I think now it sounds pretty well: https://www.instagram.com/p/CAkrYtNpMNE/

And definitely after tuning the piano the recordings are much better!!

Offline hakki

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Re: Got a Grand Piano - Looking for recording tips
Reply #6 on: June 15, 2020, 08:29:50 AM
I also have a matched pair of NT5s. They should sound much much better than the recordings you posted. They are very good mics for recording the piano. There seems to be something with the setup or it is instagram that is degrading the sound.

BTW you play very good.

Here is an example of how my recordings sound with NT5s. Natural sound as recorded in my living room. No eq, no reverb whatever. Listen with head/earphones please.

https://app.box.com/s/lw6lpghxa04s76di85qtixd9dwfzm72c
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