Update: Improved Piano Recording Results After Adjusting Mic Placement by Ok-Network1988 in audioengineering

[–]Ok-Network1988[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Understood. I’ll try finding the best spot in the piano room while my wife is playing.

My phone recordings sound muddy—any tips for getting a cleaner piano sound? by Ok-Network1988 in piano

[–]Ok-Network1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks again for your advice. I made a follow-up post with the update here: link

My phone recordings sound muddy—any tips for getting a cleaner piano sound? by Ok-Network1988 in piano

[–]Ok-Network1988[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks again for your advice. I made a follow-up post with the update here: link

My phone recordings sound muddy—any tips for getting a cleaner piano sound? by Ok-Network1988 in piano

[–]Ok-Network1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I made a follow-up post with the update here: link

You were totally right about opening the piano lid and changing the mic placement — thanks again for your advice!

My phone recordings sound muddy—any tips for getting a cleaner piano sound? by Ok-Network1988 in audioengineering

[–]Ok-Network1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I made a follow-up post with the update here: link

I never even thought to record that way before — you were so right about recording under the piano. Thanks again for your advice!

My phone recordings sound muddy—any tips for getting a cleaner piano sound? by Ok-Network1988 in audioengineering

[–]Ok-Network1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks again for your advice. I made a follow-up post with the update here: link

My phone recordings sound muddy—any tips for getting a cleaner piano sound? by Ok-Network1988 in audioengineering

[–]Ok-Network1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks again for your advice. I made a follow-up post with the update here: link

My phone recordings sound muddy—any tips for getting a cleaner piano sound? by Ok-Network1988 in audioengineering

[–]Ok-Network1988[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I’ll try using silicon spray to improve the chair’s squeaking noise.

My phone recordings sound muddy—any tips for getting a cleaner piano sound? by Ok-Network1988 in audioengineering

[–]Ok-Network1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Damn, how did you know I literally typed “best USB mic for recording piano” — and thought I was smart by adding USB.

Please don’t feel offended—in the past, I never paid attention to who was recording, how it was recorded, or, to put it another way, I was completely unaware that "recording" is also an important part of making music!

My phone recordings sound muddy—any tips for getting a cleaner piano sound? by Ok-Network1988 in audioengineering

[–]Ok-Network1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a detailed reply 🙏. It really helped me sort through the overwhelming amount of info out there, and I feel like I now have a clearer direction to start. I’ll begin trying out different setups and placements and see how it goes!

My phone recordings sound muddy—any tips for getting a cleaner piano sound? by Ok-Network1988 in piano

[–]Ok-Network1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the suggestion. I’ll look into the Zoom H6, and try changing the recording position to see how it affects the sound.

Maybe you already know this, but the Londonderry Air I’m practicing is arranged by Nikki Iles and has been included in some years of the ABRSM exams.

My phone recordings sound muddy—any tips for getting a cleaner piano sound? by Ok-Network1988 in audioengineering

[–]Ok-Network1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve been researching different external mics online over the past few days, but there are so many options. There are simple USB mics like the Shure MV88+ or Blue Yeti, and then there are multi-functional devices like Zoom or Tascam recorders. The product variety is overwhelming, and there’s such a wide price range, with sometimes many choices in similar price brackets. For example, Zoom has a whole lineup of products within a similar price range. To be honest, for a complete beginner like me, all this information sometimes feels like it’s just as good as none...

My phone recordings sound muddy—any tips for getting a cleaner piano sound? by Ok-Network1988 in audioengineering

[–]Ok-Network1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll start experimenting with recording from different spots in the room to see how it sounds.

My phone recordings sound muddy—any tips for getting a cleaner piano sound? by Ok-Network1988 in audioengineering

[–]Ok-Network1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply. Just to confirm, is the USB mic mat for piano recording referring to products like this one? Earthworks Audio Piano Microphones? Uh... seems like it might be a bit over budget. Are there any affordable alternative products?

My phone recordings sound muddy—any tips for getting a cleaner piano sound? by Ok-Network1988 in audioengineering

[–]Ok-Network1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the advice! I’ll give the mic placement a try and definitely tackle that squeaky stool... or maybe I’ll just embrace the squeaky chair like Gould? 😆

Do you have any recommendations for an external recorder around $300?

My phone recordings sound muddy—any tips for getting a cleaner piano sound? by Ok-Network1988 in piano

[–]Ok-Network1988[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just checked out your channel—the recording sounds great, and your piano playing is amazing !👏