How to mic a piano

[Mike]

I need to reinforce a piano (Yamaha upright) for a small gig in a medium-
size ballroom. The guitar and bass will go through and old Fender tube
top, and there is a third channel there that I can send from a mixer.
They want to use the old Fender for everything, but I will bring a
PA for vocals anyway. 8-)

I am pretty comfortable with my microphones for vocals (SM-58,
OM-3, and WH20). But I have no idea what type of microphone or placement
would be appropriate for a piano.

Bear in mind I am an amateur just moving in the direction of being a
very minor pro. I have a Sennheiser E935 and an AKG Perception 200
available for the job, and I could buy or rent mics if necessary.

What microphone should I use? What one could I use, if I want to
go cheap? Do I need more than one, and where would I place it/them?

--
Mike

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90%
how I react to it. And so it is for you... we are in charge
of our attitudes. -- Charles Swindoll

[TimPerry]

"Mike" <mi...@perusion.net> wrote in message
news:slrnf15i5a...@bill.heins.net...

> I need to reinforce a piano (Yamaha upright) for a small gig in a medium-
> size ballroom. The guitar and bass will go through and old Fender tube
> top, and there is a third channel there that I can send from a mixer.
> They want to use the old Fender for everything, but I will bring a
> PA for vocals anyway. 8-)
>
> I am pretty comfortable with my microphones for vocals (SM-58,
> OM-3, and WH20). But I have no idea what type of microphone or placement
> would be appropriate for a piano.
>
> Bear in mind I am an amateur just moving in the direction of being a
> very minor pro. I have a Sennheiser E935 and an AKG Perception 200
> available for the job, and I could buy or rent mics if necessary.
>
> What microphone should I use? What one could I use, if I want to
> go cheap? Do I need more than one, and where would I place it/them?
>
> --
> Mike
>

Mike, there are a number of ways to do this and each person has a favorite.
my first choice is a crown PZM behind the piano facing the sound board but
not touching it.

second would be small condenser like a SM81

one popular piano mic is the c-ducer
http://www.c-ducer.com/row/row_c-ducer_tape_microphone.htm

pianos are usually loud enough so that nearly any mic can be used to get
sound out, your dynamics may work just fine for you. just give them a try
and see which you (and the pianist) likes best.

[Tim S Kemp]

On Apr 3, 10:35 pm, Mike <m...@perusion.net> wrote:
> I need to reinforce a piano (Yamaha upright) for a small gig in a medium-
> size ballroom. The guitar and bass will go through and old Fender tube
> top, and there is a third channel there that I can send from a mixer.
> They want to use the old Fender for everything, but I will bring a
> PA for vocals anyway. 8-)

> What microphone should I use? What one could I use, if I want to

> go cheap? Do I need more than one, and where would I place it/them?

I've taken to sticking an AKG C411 to the soundboard of the piano -
works really well even if the numbers don't look good for the mic,
lots of gain before feedback.