Hey all;

I was wondering if you people could help me with
some advice. My friend (she lives in Fremont, North Cal)
wants to record her piano. She doesn't exactly need the
pro sound quality, but, naturally, she wants the best she
can get, while keeping the expenses at minimum.

I was thinking, she certainly needs a microphone, so
here's question one: what would be a good and not very
expensive microphone for grand piano recording?

Then, is it feasible to get a decent sound quality
by just using a microphone and a computer sound card?
Or may be an altogether different solution is required?

Finally, what would be a good piece of sound-editing
software? Start with free ones please, I love open source,
and I bid all my friends to do the same

If you have any other comments or tips, they are welcome.
If you ever recorded piano, and your situation was similar
to ours (amateur recording, tight budget), please describe
your setup.

Thank you very much!

Mel

What are you describing as a tight budget exactly. I can thoroughly
recommend hiring a high quality stereo pair of small diaphragm condensors
along with a a high quality two channel preamp. As long as you sound card
is relatively modern and not built-in to the motherboard it should be able
to record at a decent quality. Here is a link to a good quality free sound
editor
http://www.download.com/Pro-Tools-Fr...l?tag=lst-0-20

Hugh


wrote in message
m...
Hey all;

I was wondering if you people could help me with
some advice. My friend (she lives in Fremont, North Cal)
wants to record her piano. She doesn't exactly need the
pro sound quality, but, naturally, she wants the best she
can get, while keeping the expenses at minimum.

I was thinking, she certainly needs a microphone, so
here's question one: what would be a good and not very
expensive microphone for grand piano recording?

Then, is it feasible to get a decent sound quality
by just using a microphone and a computer sound card?
Or may be an altogether different solution is required?

Finally, what would be a good piece of sound-editing
software? Start with free ones please, I love open source,
and I bid all my friends to do the same

If you have any other comments or tips, they are welcome.
If you ever recorded piano, and your situation was similar
to ours (amateur recording, tight budget), please describe
your setup.

Thank you very much!

Mel

wrote in message
om...
Hey all;

I was wondering if you people could help me with
some advice. My friend (she lives in Fremont, North Cal)
wants to record her piano. She doesn't exactly need the
pro sound quality, but, naturally, she wants the best she
can get, while keeping the expenses at minimum.

I was thinking, she certainly needs a microphone, so
here's question one: what would be a good and not very
expensive microphone for grand piano recording?

Then, is it feasible to get a decent sound quality
by just using a microphone and a computer sound card?
Or may be an altogether different solution is required?

Finally, what would be a good piece of sound-editing
software? Start with free ones please, I love open source,
and I bid all my friends to do the same

If you have any other comments or tips, they are welcome.
If you ever recorded piano, and your situation was similar
to ours (amateur recording, tight budget), please describe
your setup.

I'm not sure where Fremont is (I live near Greensboro) but getting a good
(close to pro quality) recording takes a lot more than a microphone and a
soundcard on your average computer. You can get a free version of Pro Tools off
there web site if you want to see what its like but..... I would not recommend
someone to start sinking money into something they don't want to put a lot of
time and work into.
Sure SM 57 is a good all around microphone and you can try a DAW (stand alone
or PC-Mac based). Why not go to a studio in your town and see for yourself, you
could come to my studio when I get it finished later this summer but I'm sure
you can find one open now around your town.

wrote in message
om...
Hey all;

I was wondering if you people could help me with
some advice. My friend (she lives in Fremont, North Cal)
wants to record her piano. She doesn't exactly need the
pro sound quality, but, naturally, she wants the best she
can get, while keeping the expenses at minimum.

I was thinking, she certainly needs a microphone, so
here's question one: what would be a good and not very
expensive microphone for grand piano recording?

Then, is it feasible to get a decent sound quality
by just using a microphone and a computer sound card?
Or may be an altogether different solution is required?

Finally, what would be a good piece of sound-editing
software? Start with free ones please, I love open source,
and I bid all my friends to do the same

If you have any other comments or tips, they are welcome.
If you ever recorded piano, and your situation was similar
to ours (amateur recording, tight budget), please describe
your setup.

I'm not sure where Fremont is (I live near Greensboro) but getting a good
(close to pro quality) recording takes a lot more than a microphone and a
soundcard on your average computer. You can get a free version of Pro Tools off
there web site if you want to see what its like but..... I would not recommend
someone to start sinking money into something they don't want to put a lot of
time and work into.
Sure SM 57 is a good all around microphone and you can try a DAW (stand alone
or PC-Mac based). Why not go to a studio in your town and see for yourself, you
could come to my studio when I get it finished later this summer but I'm sure
you can find one open now around your town.

Hugh Conway wrote:

http://www.download.com/Pro-Tools-Fr...l?tag=lst-0-20

Protools free has become a memory rather than an option. It wont run on
any current system Mac or PC. In fact it hasn't for several years...
Next step up the Protools-ladder is an MBox I suppose... I wouldn't mind
a Protols lite somewhere between the MBox and the "free".

/L


--
lars farm // http://www.farm.se

Hugh Conway wrote:

http://www.download.com/Pro-Tools-Fr...l?tag=lst-0-20

Protools free has become a memory rather than an option. It wont run on
any current system Mac or PC. In fact it hasn't for several years...
Next step up the Protools-ladder is an MBox I suppose... I wouldn't mind
a Protols lite somewhere between the MBox and the "free".

/L


--
lars farm // http://www.farm.se

Lars wrote
Protools free has become a memory rather than an option. It wont run on
any current system Mac or PC. In fact it hasn't for several years...
Next step up the Protools-ladder is an MBox I suppose... I wouldn't mind
a Protols lite somewhere between the MBox and the "free".

Well, I didn't know this as I prefer to pay for something useful than use a
limited demo. But there are lots of free-bees out on the web just do a search
for "free audio sequencing software".

Lars wrote
Protools free has become a memory rather than an option. It wont run on
any current system Mac or PC. In fact it hasn't for several years...
Next step up the Protools-ladder is an MBox I suppose... I wouldn't mind
a Protols lite somewhere between the MBox and the "free".

Well, I didn't know this as I prefer to pay for something useful than use a
limited demo. But there are lots of free-bees out on the web just do a search
for "free audio sequencing software".

Raymond wrote:

Sure SM 57 is a good all around microphone

OK, yes, but in the context: nooooooooooo way, not for a piano that is
to sound like one.


Kind regards

Peter Larsen

--
*******************************************
* My site is at: http://www.muyiovatki.dk *
*******************************************

Raymond wrote:

Sure SM 57 is a good all around microphone

OK, yes, but in the context: nooooooooooo way, not for a piano that is
to sound like one.


Kind regards

Peter Larsen

--
*******************************************
* My site is at: http://www.muyiovatki.dk *
*******************************************

wrote:

Hey all;

I was wondering if you people could help me with
some advice. My friend (she lives in Fremont, North Cal)
wants to record her piano. She doesn't exactly need the
pro sound quality, but, naturally, she wants the best she
can get, while keeping the expenses at minimum.

Pair of Behringer measuring mics, 50 centimeters apart, "suitably
placed", I'd try simply hanging them down from the ceiling above the
piano if played with closed lid or no lid, or "to the right, near the
front leg" and below the "lid extension line" if played with an open
lid.

I was thinking, she certainly needs a microphone, so
here's question one: what would be a good and not very
expensive microphone for grand piano recording?

Then, is it feasible to get a decent sound quality
by just using a microphone and a computer sound card?
Or may be an altogether different solution is required?

Midiman Audiophile, Echo Mia comes to mind. There are no doubt other
fine cards. A Symetrix 302 preamp may do nicely. A Midiman Duo for USB
may also be a convenient combination of mic preamp and audio interface,
but PCI cards are less likely to have exotic problems with glitches.

Finally, what would be a good piece of sound-editing
software? Start with free ones please, I love open source,
and I bid all my friends to do the same

Goldwave comes to mind as budget friendly shareware.

If you have any other comments or tips, they are welcome.
If you ever recorded piano, and your situation was similar
to ours (amateur recording, tight budget), please describe
your setup.

The Fostex FR2 may be a simpler solution to use with the suggested mics,
it would generally be combined with a computer for editing and making it
into CD's.

Mel


Kind regards

Peter Larsen


--
*******************************************
* My site is at: http://www.muyiovatki.dk *
*******************************************

wrote:

Hey all;

I was wondering if you people could help me with
some advice. My friend (she lives in Fremont, North Cal)
wants to record her piano. She doesn't exactly need the
pro sound quality, but, naturally, she wants the best she
can get, while keeping the expenses at minimum.

Pair of Behringer measuring mics, 50 centimeters apart, "suitably
placed", I'd try simply hanging them down from the ceiling above the
piano if played with closed lid or no lid, or "to the right, near the
front leg" and below the "lid extension line" if played with an open
lid.

I was thinking, she certainly needs a microphone, so
here's question one: what would be a good and not very
expensive microphone for grand piano recording?

Then, is it feasible to get a decent sound quality
by just using a microphone and a computer sound card?
Or may be an altogether different solution is required?

Midiman Audiophile, Echo Mia comes to mind. There are no doubt other
fine cards. A Symetrix 302 preamp may do nicely. A Midiman Duo for USB
may also be a convenient combination of mic preamp and audio interface,
but PCI cards are less likely to have exotic problems with glitches.

Finally, what would be a good piece of sound-editing
software? Start with free ones please, I love open source,
and I bid all my friends to do the same

Goldwave comes to mind as budget friendly shareware.

If you have any other comments or tips, they are welcome.
If you ever recorded piano, and your situation was similar
to ours (amateur recording, tight budget), please describe
your setup.

The Fostex FR2 may be a simpler solution to use with the suggested mics,
it would generally be combined with a computer for editing and making it
into CD's.

Mel


Kind regards

Peter Larsen


--
*******************************************
* My site is at: http://www.muyiovatki.dk *
*******************************************

Peter Larsen wrote:
wrote:
wants to record her piano. She doesn't exactly need the
pro sound quality, but, naturally, she wants the best she
can get, while keeping the expenses at minimum.

Pair of Behringer measuring mics, 50 centimeters apart, "suitably
placed", I'd try simply hanging them down from the ceiling above the
piano if played with closed lid or no lid, or "to the right, near the
front leg" and below the "lid extension line" if played with an open
lid.

I was thinking, she certainly needs a microphone, so
here's question one: what would be a good and not very
expensive microphone for grand piano recording?

[...]

The Fostex FR2 may be a simpler solution to use with the suggested mics,
it would generally be combined with a computer for editing and making it
into CD's.

Interesting. Do you find the audio quality of the ECM-8000 sufficiently
good to match the audio quality of the Fostex FR2?

It would be interesting to hear opinions about the audio quality of the
ECM800. Which more conventional (and expensive) microphones have audio
quality comparable to the audio quality of the ECM-8000?

How would you characterise the sonic quality of the ECM-8000?

Within the Behringer mic collection, how would you compare the ECM-8000
to the B-5 omni costing twice and still quite low priced.


--
lars farm // http://www.farm.se

Peter Larsen wrote:
wrote:
wants to record her piano. She doesn't exactly need the
pro sound quality, but, naturally, she wants the best she
can get, while keeping the expenses at minimum.

Pair of Behringer measuring mics, 50 centimeters apart, "suitably
placed", I'd try simply hanging them down from the ceiling above the
piano if played with closed lid or no lid, or "to the right, near the
front leg" and below the "lid extension line" if played with an open
lid.

I was thinking, she certainly needs a microphone, so
here's question one: what would be a good and not very
expensive microphone for grand piano recording?

[...]

The Fostex FR2 may be a simpler solution to use with the suggested mics,
it would generally be combined with a computer for editing and making it
into CD's.

Interesting. Do you find the audio quality of the ECM-8000 sufficiently
good to match the audio quality of the Fostex FR2?

It would be interesting to hear opinions about the audio quality of the
ECM800. Which more conventional (and expensive) microphones have audio
quality comparable to the audio quality of the ECM-8000?

How would you characterise the sonic quality of the ECM-8000?

Within the Behringer mic collection, how would you compare the ECM-8000
to the B-5 omni costing twice and still quite low priced.


--
lars farm // http://www.farm.se

Raymond wrote:

Sure SM 57 is a good all around microphone

Peter wrote
OK, yes, but in the context: nooooooooooo way, not for a piano that is
to sound like one.


OK, it'll likely not be the best pick but I bet it would work on a budget. For
what you pay for it a 57 has to be one of the most usable mics there is.

Raymond wrote:
Raymond wrote:

Sure SM 57 is a good all around microphone

Peter wrote
OK, yes, but in the context: nooooooooooo way, not for a piano that is
to sound like one.


OK, it'll likely not be the best pick but I bet it would work on a budget. For
what you pay for it a 57 has to be one of the most usable mics there is.

Dunno. I'd pick an EV 635A, which is a little cheaper, for almost every
non-PA non-drumkit application, if you're wanting a dynamic.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Lars Farm wrote:

[behringer measuing mics and Fostex FR2]

Interesting. Do you find the audio quality of the ECM-8000
sufficiently good to match the audio quality of the Fostex FR2?

From the mixdown sample Arny made available via a nearby newsgroup and
from his enthusiasm about them: yes. I prefer to say that the FR2 is a
reasonable match for the ECM 8000, but probably the factor that limits
the total quality of the outcome of the recording, this based on having
heard a chamber music recording made with the FR2 and well known
equipment. It is not quite as clean as clean can be in terms of audio
purism, but it has its size on its side of the choice, and it weighs
heavily in its favour compared to many larger thingies of various kinds.

It would be interesting to hear opinions about the audio quality of the
ECM800. Which more conventional (and expensive) microphones have audio
quality comparable to the audio quality of the ECM-8000?

No comment possible.

How would you characterise the sonic quality of the ECM-8000?

Open, linear, clean.

Within the Behringer mic collection, how would you compare the ECM-8000
to the B-5 omni costing twice and still quite low priced.

No comment possible.

lars farm // http://www.farm.se

Oh ... please remember: opinion only, based on limited experience and to
some extent on hearsay. A true comparison needs more care, I may be
wrong.


Kind regards

Peter Larsen

--
*******************************************
* My site is at: http://www.muyiovatki.dk *
*******************************************