Owners Manual

13
Piano
You can achieve outstanding results using the C1 on acoustic piano. Several placement approaches can be used depending
on the size of the piano, and the type of sound you are looking to record. When miking a Grand Piano, (for an ambient
sound like that used in a classical recital), a single C1 can be positioned directly in front of the instrument. Open the lid
to the full position and place the microphone five to twelve feet in front of the instrument. For a more contemporary
sound with better isolation, place two C1’s inside the piano positioning one over the low strings and the other over the
high strings. To achieve a more realistic sound, it’s a good idea to leave some space between the instrument and the
microphone, especially if you are recording a solo instrument. Also, keep in mind how the track ultimately needs to fit
into the mix. For example, if you are recording a solo performance of Chopin, you would likely want a very even response
and you’d want to capture the left hand sostenuto. However, if you are recording rock and roll or pop music, you may
want the piano to sit within the track in a specific frequency range where less bass is desired. Nashville engineers, and
other good ones from all over the planet, are famous for building the mix as they track, starting with the microphone
placement. You can also try the XY or ORTF stereo mic set-ups described in the following section, “Stereo Miking
Techniques”.
Applications Guide