| It is relatively easy to find information on the techniques | | | | vice versa. Turn the stereo on, and listen to the same |
| needed to record a grand piano well, given that a | | | | music piece again. The music will be playing out of |
| grand is the standard piano in most concert halls, and | | | | phase now, and when one speaker 'pushes a wave |
| large auditoriums. However, what about the enthusiast | | | | out', the other is on the rebound, so your ears and brain |
| at home, or simply if all you have is an upright piano? | | | | will be picking up a 'cancellation' effect. This is the result |
| The good news is that you can still be quite successful | | | | of audio out of phase, and is even worse if the signal |
| in recording your upright piano, but a few extra steps | | | | is mono, as in this case, there will be a near full |
| may need to be taken to get the recording right. I will | | | | nullification of the audio. In the case of the microphones |
| endeavour to outline these below, but please take | | | | it is important to get the phasing right at the start, and |
| note, that as each piano design is different, as well as | | | | the rest will be easier. |
| the design and layout of the room that it is in, these | | | | However, I am aware that some people like to use |
| pointers should be taken as a guide only. | | | | integrated recording devices, that have stereo mics in |
| For a start, most upright pianos are often stored with | | | | the one enclosure, with the electronics to record a |
| the rear against a wall, and it is in fact, the rear where | | | | digital MP3 or WAV file in the box, ready to download |
| most of the sound emanates from. Most upright pianos | | | | to their computers. Some users have reported very |
| will allow you to open the top lid on its hinges, but what | | | | favourable results with these systems, and that is |
| about the section under the keyboard, above the | | | | great. Again, the best advice I can give is to test |
| pedals, or even the section above the keyboard, at the | | | | various combinations of mics and microphone |
| front? Again, each piano is different, but where | | | | placement as well. |
| possible, open as much of it as possible. | | | | I am well aware that the decision as to which mic to |
| For the best recording, if at all possible, it is worth | | | | use is in itself, a debate that could go on ad infinitum, |
| removing the piano from the wall, so that you have | | | | and therefore, I will openly say that I will discuss the |
| unimpeded access to place microphones facing the | | | | methods and mics that I use, as I have had great |
| back section. If you are using two microphones for a | | | | success with them. My favourite mic is a USB style, |
| stereo recording, as a general guide, it is best to place | | | | large diaphragm mic, that is able to record everything |
| them at about one third to half way up the rear, from | | | | from speech, to just about any musical instrument, |
| the bottom, and spaced with equal thirds between | | | | provided it is positioned well. |
| them, and on either side. However, it will take a number | | | | I have found that using two of these mics, with them |
| of recording takes to verify the best position, which will | | | | pointing towards the rear of the upright piano is very |
| also be affected by the microphone type and model. | | | | effective. The Audio Technica USB2020 is an ideal |
| Regrettably, there is no one-rule-fits-all on this one. In | | | | mic for this application, as it requires no set up when |
| addition, just for a little more variation, the room | | | | plugged into any modern computer, running either |
| décor will affect the result, in as much as a sparsely | | | | Windows or Mac operating systems. I say this, as the |
| furnished room, with hard surfaces will sound more | | | | computer will recognise the mic, and install it |
| reflective, and live, than a heavily draped and carpeted | | | | automatically as a sound source, which you can then |
| room. | | | | select, when recording, using your favourite audio |
| One other point to note, if using two separate mics, as | | | | recording software. I can recommend the free |
| a pose to an integrated stereo mic, is to ensure that | | | | Audacity program, or the Sony Audio Studio, which is |
| they are wired in phase with each other. They should | | | | more complex to use, but very detailed, in terms of |
| ideally be the same model as well, but this is not | | | | functions and options available for 'sound sweetening'. |
| essential. However, if they are wired out of phase, the | | | | I am also aware of the H2 microphone, as a complete |
| result will be substantially less than stellar. Phasing | | | | self contained package that includes the digital storage, |
| means that the mics are responding together with | | | | and USB output, for connection to your computer. At |
| each other, rather than in an opposing way. The best | | | | the end of the day, your choice of microphone is a |
| way to explain this (and test the result) is if you have a | | | | personal one. However, one benefit of this unit is that it |
| stereo system with separate speaker boxes, | | | | can record in a 'surround' configuration. Some users |
| connected to an amplifier with 'bare end wire'. That is, | | | | have reported very good results with it placed inside |
| a cable that has a negative and positive wire that fits | | | | the bottom, front section of the upright piano. |
| into a latching terminal, marked Positive and negative. If | | | | An important point to note, however, is that many |
| you have this type of arrangement on your stereo | | | | upright pianos tend to have a greater pedal noise, due |
| system, and check that both the left and right | | | | to either the design, or sometimes, lack of |
| speakers are wired with positive to positive, and | | | | maintenance. Hence, there may be squeaks, or |
| negative to negative, you have an in phase system. | | | | movement noises as you use the pedal, which you will |
| Listen to a favourite track that you know well, and | | | | not want as part of the final recording. This is another |
| then, turn off the system. | | | | reason that many recordings with the mics at the rear |
| Now, switch the wiring of one speaker only, so that | | | | are more successful as well. |
| the negative wire goes to the positive terminal, and | | | | |