How to record a piano

The piano is the most versatile instrument known to man, therefore it's only fitting that it be difficult to record. You have over 200 strings on a piano, and that creates a lot vibration and unwanted noise.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• good microphones
• in-tune piano
• patience

1. My first attempts at recording my piano were dreadful, and I was frustrated to the point of giving up. I didn't try again for a good long while, I had just purchased a pair of AKG C1000S microphones, and thought it would be a good trial for the Mic's. I fooled with placement for days before I finally found something sweet.
   
   My piano is a 1942 Baldwin console, and it is really bright. Nice bright though, not that irritating clanky sound you get from lesser instruments. I started by removing the top and front panels, exposing the action and strings. After agonizing over placement for what seemed like forever, this is what I came up with.
2. I suspended the two AKG's over the action, about a foot up, and about the same distance apart from one another in the middle of the piano. I faced the one on the left slightly toward the G2 note, and the one on the right toward the G5. If you are unsure where I am talking about, divide the keyboard into thirds, and point a mic at the key that divides the 1st and 2nd parts, and one at the key that divides the 2nd and 3rd parts.
3. I don't use any effects for the actual recording, however I do use some compression when mixing tracks. If I were a better player, I could probably eliminate the compression altogether, I don't like compressing sound unless it can't be avoided, you lose too much of the good stuff with the bad.
   
   Don't be intimidated, jump on in and record.You can't hurt nothing. And you may surprise yourself at just how clever you have become.