Late last year, I struggled to capture the perfect piano sound. After extensive research, I compiled all my findings into this detailed guide on recording acoustic piano. If you’re facing similar challenges, these insights will prove invaluable.
Recording an acoustic piano can be quite challenging. This instrument is sonically complex and large, making it demanding for both the mics and the person recording. Ensuring clear sound requires skill and precision.
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The Best Microphones for Recording Piano
Let’s look at these in more detail.
The techniques mentioned offer a good start on recording piano sound. However, using the right microphones is crucial. You can’t just use any mic. Choose those most responsive to piano sound. For your convenience, here are the six most recommended mics for piano recording:
The Neumann U 87 is a large diaphragm condenser mic with multi-polar patterns. Like the AKG C414 XLS, the Neumann U87 is legendary for its clarity and accuracy. This microphone works well for nearly all miking techniques.
Neumann Company, founded in 1928 in Berlin, manufactures the Neumann U 87 microphone. They have a long history of producing top-notch microphones that are industry standards. With its multi-patterns, this mic is an excellent choice for recording piano sounds.
The Neumann U 87 has been a common fixture in recording studios since the ’70s. You’ll find this mic on congas, strings, brass, vocals, overheads, guitar amps, and piano. It features three directional patterns, letting you pick the best one for your piano recording.
Choose the cardioid pattern for a unidirectional mic. Switch to the figure-8 or bi-directional pattern to pick up ambient noise, voices, and instruments. It also has a switchable high-pass filter and a pre-attenuation pad. The Neumann U 87 is a perfect choice for recording piano sound.
As a diaphragm condenser mic bearing 9 polar patterns, the AKG Pro Audio C414 XLS is a perfect choice for piano recording. It also comes with 3 attenuation pads as well as 3 high-pass filters. Equipped with these 9 selectable patterns, you can easily choose the best pattern most suited for your recording environment.
Using the C414 XLS, I recommend the Omni polar pattern for recording near the piano strings as it sounds best. However, if you move the mic further away or record vocals and other instruments at the same time, this pattern might not be ideal. Instead, opt for another pattern to better isolate the piano sound or highlight its tonal characteristics.
The C414 XLS boasts an incredible low noise pickup and a dynamic range of 152dB, ideal for ambient recording. Equipped with a locking mode for live sound recording, it also features an LED display for overload peaks. This legendary mic is the industry standard for studio recording.
Another legendary microphone for recording sounds is the Shure SM7B. You’ll often see this mic in radio stations, studio recordings, and voiceovers. It proves you don’t need the most expensive mic for quality recordings.
The natural sound of this mic is a pleasant surprise. It offers a wide and flat frequency response, ideal for recording vocals and instruments. This mic doesn’t have any boominess or distortion. Its balanced bass and excellent mid-range emphasis make it a favorite. It also features a graphic display for response settings.
The Shure SM7B offers superior electromagnetic hum rejection and protection against equipment interference. Built-in shock isolation prevents mechanical noise transmission. Its pop filter effectively eliminates explosive sounds.
More importantly, the Shure SM7B includes a stand nut for easy adjustment, letting you record piano sound from different angles. This is especially helpful for YouTube videos. It has a wide frequency range of 50 to 20000 Hz. As a dynamic mic, the Shure SM7B performs excellently in large rooms and halls.
The Rode NT1-A is a widely-used and affordable microphone in studios. This condenser mic is ideal for home setups and excels at recording piano. Released in 2003, it continues to receive high praise from experts and studio owners.
The Rode NT1-A is large, yet extremely quiet and responsive. This microphone provides great accuracy and clarity, especially for recording acoustic piano. It’s easy to set up and ideal for capturing upright piano sounds. With a cardioid pattern, this mic enhances both the upper range and harmonic content of the upright piano.
Compared to the other mics mentioned, the Rode NT1-A isn’t as versatile. However, considering its price, it offers great performance. The small boost from the NT1-A enhances the texture and character of the piano sound, adding a bit of brightness.
With its excellent roll-off, the NT1-A ensures the sound isn’t harsh or overly bright. The package includes a high-quality pop shield and shock mount. The NT1-A offers everything needed to achieve a professional piano sound recording.
The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a “no-frills” microphone with a stand mount and a soft vinyl case. It has a fixed cardioid polar pattern and offers professional sound quality at an affordable price. With mid-range warmth for vocals and excellent presence peak for clarity, this mic is a favorite among singers.
Close-miking instruments and voices with this mic delivers great clarity. It may not excel at dampening noise, but positioning it near a piano during recording helps reduce surrounding noise.
When used with acoustic piano, the Audio-Technica AT2020 delivers a balanced sound. You’ll easily find the sweet spot to position this mic and get a solid recording. You’ll appreciate its quality and depth without the extra “honkyness” that other mics bring.
The Audio-Technica AT2020 offers impressive rear-axis rejection and effective off-axis capture. This feature is quite beneficial if you use computers and other equipment in your studio. As a low-cost mic, it delivers a mature and convincing sound that you’ll definitely appreciate.
Add the MXL 770 to your list of potential microphones for recording piano. Though it lacks some features of other options, its 4 Blue LEDs make it visually appealing.
This mic is a favorite, with its patented design that everyone will love. Moreover, it features a manageable roll-off of low frequency that dampens unwanted rumble. It works well with the piano and other acoustic instruments.
This mic provides high-end clarity with a well-balanced bass response. You’ll enjoy balanced recording output and reduced noise capture, making it a great choice for recording piano, podcasting, and streaming.
Buyer’s Guide: Factors to Consider When Selecting a Mic for Piano Recording
In this article, I’ll recommend the best mics for recording piano and highlight key factors to consider when choosing a mic. Below are the important factors to consider:
Choose Between Dynamic or Condenser!
There’s a big difference between dynamic and condenser microphones. A dynamic microphone often struggles with very high frequencies. For example, it may miss the high frequencies of a piano. This happens because dynamic mics aren’t built for capturing transient sounds.
In some cases, the dynamic mic might misrepresent percussive clicks and the true sound of the note. However, there are exceptions; you can find excellent piano recordings using dynamic microphones. It all hinges on how the sound has been engineered.
On the other hand, condenser mics are the best for recording piano sound. They capture a wide frequency range, picking up almost all the sounds a piano emits.
Polar Pattern
The directionality of a microphone indicates how it captures ambient sound. Some mics pick up sounds from multiple directions simultaneously, while others only capture sound from specific angles.
For recording piano sound, focus on picking a mic that captures *off-axis* sounds well. Ensure your mic choice compensates for any apparent volume differences too.
Frequency Response
When picking a mic for piano recording, go for one with a wide frequency range. The piano produces sounds with very high frequencies. You’ll need a mic that can capture this broad frequency spectrum.
Proximity Effect
There are several methods to record piano sound. One approach is placing the mics inside the piano. This close positioning can capture some “boomy” sounds from the strings. Choose close miking to minimize the proximity effect, which helps when mixing the sounds.
You don’t want those booming sounds to become an issue later. To avoid them, use omnidirectional mics, as they easily handle boomy sounds.
Most Practical Ways to Record Piano
There are a couple of mic techniques for recording piano sound. Sift through these techniques to find the most appropriate for your recording needs. Based on my research, here are the most recommended ways to capture piano sound:
1) Microphones Inside the Piano
One effective way to get a brighter piano sound is by placing the mics inside the piano. I did this while recording a love song with piano accompaniment, and it worked wonders for capturing a bright, clear tone. This method isolates the mics without needing an isolation booth, delivering crisp pop sounds and nuances.
Use two tube condenser mics to achieve this setup. Open the piano lid and place the mics 11 inches above the strings. Direct them downward towards the strings. A cardioid mic works best for this.
Use the 3:1 rule with two microphones. Place them at least 33 inches apart to get proper phase alignment. Verify this through the monitoring console. Ensure each mic is above each string group.
Be careful positioning mics too close to the strings to avoid overemphasizing specific groups. Move the mic closer to the hammer for more brightness or farther away to reduce it. This setup is ideal for an in-your-face piano recording.
2) Microphones Outside of the Piano
Another effective mic setup for capturing piano sound involves placing two mics around the piano. Use two stereo AT40551b cardioid condenser mics, positioning each about five feet high.
Place the mics about three feet from the front of the piano. Try different distances to find the sweet spot where the piano sounds best for you.
3) Recording Using A Single Microphone
I once recorded a love song with an impressive full piano sound, using an AT2020 cardioid condenser mic. Position the mic outside the instrument and move it around to find the sweet spot. For a less roomy sound, place the mic closer to the piano.
Conclusion
Recording an acoustic piano can be tough due to its rich sound. To simplify the process, choose the right mics. There are many ways to record piano sound. Experiment with different miking techniques to find the best setup.