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[M. Erik Matlock]

6 Things To Think About Before Miking A Grand Piano
Getting a piano to sound natural can drive an engineer a little crazy sometimes, but natural isn't always the sound we’re going for.
By Bobby Owsinski • September 11, 2018

Many engineers believe that miking a grand piano is the most difficult thing they’re called on to do. Getting it to sound natural can drive an engineer a little crazy sometimes, although that’s not always the sound we’re going for.

There are 4 main techniques and multiple variations of each outlined in the 4th edition of my Recording Engineer’s Handbook. Before the mics are placed though, there are a number of things to think about that help you understand why the mics are usually placed where they are.

Here’s an excerpt from the same book that covers those considerations.

The piano is a relatively new instrument, dating back to only around 1700. Although it comes in the most familiar grand and upright versions, there are subcategories to each. A concert grand is generally between 7 and 10 feet long, a parlor grand is 6 to 7 feet, and the baby grand is about 5 feet long. Upright pianos come in a studio version (42 to 45 inches tall), the more compact console version (38 to 42 inches), and the spinet version, where the top barely rises above the keyboard. All else being equal, longer pianos have longer strings and richer tone...

Continue reading here: https://www.prosoundweb.com/channels/recording/6-things-to-think-about-before-miking-a-grand-piano/