Piano Recording - 4 Mic setups compared, massive variety in results, some very affordable, some less

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Clint Murphy sets up four different mic setup's for recording piano at Rimshot Studios. The 4 are: B&K Omin (in mono), stereo Shure SM57's in the sound holes and a pair of Neumann U87's and AKG 414's. We will post the sound files for your to compare on our website but at the end of the video each set-up is demonstrated.

[DogBoots]

Nice playing and hey - the SM57 sounded way better than I’d expect!

[musicproducerberlin]

The SM57 should be decoupled from the metal frame. They make noise because the vibrating frame "shakes" the mics . Put a bit soft foam under the mics.

[krystofpoboril]

It's a comparison of placement more than it compares the mics. Would be nice to tell what characteristics were used.

[compucorder]

The U87 was my favourite. But I did like the 414s, though I might tame the treble a touch with EQ. Or maybe mix them in with a spaced ribbon pair.

[tsgv]

2:08 oh my god this sounds amazing, never heard a piano sound this punchy

[moodmusik]

Nice. I'd take the C414 as they were and put the U87s as rooms.

[iamjuandemarcus]

1-Neumann u87 the best
2-AKG second best
3-the rest

[gabro]

What about the mixing process? ten years working. What about less is bettter? crazy? or magical? great job guys!!! sm57 WOW! Thank yopu very much Clint!!!

[babul]

Very nice! I liked Neumann best. I own currently 2x AT2035 cardioids, so far tried only once playing with ORTF, but I placed them facing forward (your Neumann setup is angled towards the strings), and it was a bit lower, kind of on the level of the lid. You think for better natural result I should bring them higher, closer, and facing the strings? Putting them not close to the piano resulted in kind of distant sound, but not sure what's the recommendation (hall does not have much reverb itself, I'd say it's kinda too small for the size of the piano, but I do pick up sound of cars passing by after normalization, so maybe I'll try it closer).

[IsraelRuizAyala]

1:36 Sony camcorder mic
1:46 B&K Omni (mono)
1:57 Shure sm57s
2:07 Neuman U87
2:18 AKG 414

[remon]

oh my I did not expect the Neuman U87 to sound so much better than the rest. Its almost night and day to me, much clearer mid frequencies and a very clear low and high end. Pity about the price ouch.

[blairzettl]

Would be interesting to hear the u87s using the figure-8 pattern instead of the cardoid. Lots of signal there but it's a bit too much in your face, if you know what I mean.

[LisaTahara]

This is a great video - thanks! I don't know anything about audio engineering but I know I can't afford Neumann mics at the moment for my home setup. I currently have a Zoom H6 and two Rode NT5 Condenser mics. Would you recommend setting up the Rode pair of mics the same way you have the Neumann in this video??

[theclaverman]

It´s not level matched. The U87 is louder than the rest....

[Lapography]

I actually liked the mic from the cam the best for that style of playing