micing a spinet piano.

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thadjanus wrote:
> Hello I have to add a piano to a rock song. it's a small spinet. The
> song itself kinda builds from quiet to louder straight rock. I'm
> posting because I've never recorded a piano before and was looking for
> a good starting point. The mics I have are 2-57's, a 421, mxl603,
> ev635a, c3000b, a marshall ldc can't remember the number never really
> use it...THe piano isn't really the prominent thing in the song more of
> a layer.I guess one of those thing that is "there" but not.."there"..if
> that makes any sense. I just thought I'd see what others could suggest
> as a starting point.
> Thanks,
> Brian

I'd have to know how the piano was 'configured", but...

You want full range, but not in your face, I'd use the MD421. (I'd
suggest the 2 SM57s, but you'll have phase issues.

Placing the mic in an open top always sounds like shite - uneven, boxy.
Is the back or the front underside open? If not, open either. Place the
mic on a stand about 2-3 feet away, as close as possible to center,
straight on-axis. A test take might make you favor one spot over
another. If you can eq while tracking, roll off about 2 db at 100hz and
push about 1-2db at around 8000hz.

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In article <1123774569.612995.113600@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>,
thadjanus <vivacaramel@hotmail.com> wrote:
>Hello I have to add a piano to a rock song. it's a small spinet. The
>song itself kinda builds from quiet to louder straight rock. I'm
>posting because I've never recorded a piano before and was looking for
>a good starting point. The mics I have are 2-57's, a 421, mxl603,
>ev635a, c3000b, a marshall ldc can't remember the number never really
>use it...THe piano isn't really the prominent thing in the song more of
>a layer.I guess one of those thing that is "there" but not.."there"..if
>that makes any sense. I just thought I'd see what others could suggest
>as a starting point.

What do you want it to sound like, and how does the song fit together?

I suggest putting the 635A behind the soundboard, probably a couple
notes up from middle C. Play a scale and make sure the level is pretty
uniform.

It will sound clanky, clangy, and clattery, but for a rock song that
might not be a bad thing at all. And trying to get a spinet _not_
to sound clangy is usually a huge fight.

Note that this will tend to fight less with vocals than a more natural
piano sound world, but whether that is important depends on your
arrangement.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

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thanks for the replies yes a mono sound is in order..not a pristine
thing really. Kinda Dylan basement tapes..it would fit in as an
accompaniment instrument more than anything, there are vauge counter
melodies..but it would be kept simple to avoid the clutter of too much
going on.
thanks again,
brian

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On 11 Aug 2005 10:38:32 -0700, "thadjanus" <vivacaramel@hotmail.com>
wrote:

>thanks, it's against a wall but the lower front panel by the knees
>comes off.

You might decide that pulling it away from the wall delivers a sonic
advantage.