Pianotech

  • 1.  Piano Microphone Recommendation

    Posted 09-17-2013 11:35
    I have a client who has asked about mic'-ing a grand piano. It's located in a restaurant and is a fairly long venue.

    He's looking at the AMT M40.

    Thoughts? Other suggestions?

    This is out of my area of expertise

    Thanks

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    Joel Smith
    Owner
    Salisbury MD
    410-543-1200
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  • 2.  RE:Piano Microphone Recommendation

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-17-2013 18:58

    Hi Joel.

    I confess to not being familiar with the AMT M40, but I like this particular style for a piano. It's a condenser, a personal preference.

    I'm pretty tired of seeing SM-58's pointed at a plate hole.

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    Phil Bondi
    Bondi's Piano Service
    239-949-3688
    www.philbondi.com
    phil@philbondi.com
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE:Piano Microphone Recommendation

    Posted 09-18-2013 10:26
    I have been recording grand pianos for years. I use a pair of PZM's. either on the ground about 6ft. from the bent side or clamped to the underside of the lid. For this I use some thick protective plastic (black) and a couple of 'draftsmans clips' available from most stationery shops. These mics are battery operated using an AA size battery - but I use two 6.2v 4SR44 batteries in each mic. Together two of these make up the equivalent of one AA size battery. My recording gear is Sony DAT.
    Michael (UK)

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    Michael Gamble
    semi retired
    Brighton
    01273813612
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Piano Microphone Recommendation

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-18-2013 10:44
    Michael: How do you get 1.5 volts from two 6.2v batteries? Paul McCloud
    Original Message


  • 5.  RE:Piano Microphone Recommendation

    Posted 09-20-2013 06:13
    p.s the PZM (pressure Zone Microphone) has another name 'Boundary Microphone' The biggest claim to fame is they can be used in large buildings with otherwise impossible acoustics for your standard mic. For orchestral use (with or without a piano soloist) I usually use my Calrec SPS422. This mic gives analog line level out - which can be very useful. My ElectroVoice RE20's are also excellent for drums as well as speech - but then ElectroVoice is a really excellent manufacturer of mics and I have many of them - some quite historic!
    Michael (UK)

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    Michael Gamble
    semi retired
    Brighton
    01273813612
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE:Piano Microphone Recommendation

    Posted 09-17-2013 20:26
    Joel,

    I have numerous accounts that use Barcus Berry.

    Keith McGavern, RPT
    Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA
    tune-repair@allegiance.tv

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE:Piano Microphone Recommendation

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-17-2013 20:40
    Since this is in a restaurant I'm guessing the lid's going to be closed. Even if it's on the short stick, for that situation any Pressure, or Boundary Zone Mic will work fine. Just tape it to the inside top of the lid. Perfect for that sort of thing. However, given the situation, the price of the AMT M40, ($471.00), is way overkill.

    The Propoint Boundary Microphone, from Audio Technica is only $99.00
    http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-PRO44-Propoint-Microphone/dp/B0002BBOOS

    You can find others for even less. I mean, this is sound reinforcement in a restaurant.


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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE:Piano Microphone Recommendation

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-18-2013 04:06
    Joel,

    KISS: Recommend that the venue start with just a simple and inexpensive dynamic microphone such as a Shure SM57 (the industry standard).  There are reasonably priced condenser mics that might work better, but they often require "phantom power" and the amplifier might not be up to that or it might get complex.

    I have heard boundary mics and pick-up mics, but have been unimpressed, often a questionable effort and expense.

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    Blaine Hebert
    Duarte CA
    626-795-5170
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE:Piano Microphone Recommendation

    Posted 09-18-2013 10:13
    We tried the Helpinstill and compared it to the Earthworks...
    and felt the Helpinstill was the "best bang for the buck".

    It can be installed or removed in about 5-10 minutes (tops)...
    so you "can take it with you".... :-) We can return out
    Steinway D to pure acoustical with no damage.

    The Earthworks had feedback and the Helpinstill did not.
    This was playing with the lid up and against a big band (jazz)
    rather near the drum kit.

    One of the churches here has their Kawaii miked with the
    Helpinstill. It can hold it's own against the "praise band".

    http://www.helpinstill.com/

    You can EQ it.

    The Earthworks is very nice, and for the demo concert we
    combined the two. That was even better. But now you're
    getting into really big bucks for an amplified piano.

    One of my church clients used the Barcus- Berry for their
    upright. It was attached to the lid.

    I didn't think the Barcus-Berry had as good of tone, though....this
    was an upright, so maybe not fair.

    With the Helpinstill, you can have the lid up, and perhaps
    balance the amp assist to be more acoustic if you like
    and not get feed back from other instruments.

    It does cost a lot more, though.

    We've used the Helpinstill for 2 seasons now and really like it.

    See if your customer can get a dealer to let him try the mics
    "on approval". We got the Earthworks and the Helpinstill at
    the same time "on approval" or a "free trial". I think
    the Helpinstill can be had that way for 90 days.

    Cheers,
    Rich A.
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    Richard Adkins
    Coe College Music Dept.
    Piano Technician
    Cedar Rapids IA
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    Original Message