Recording Piano To Powerbook, Need Help in Equipment to record piano Options

[brianwmniles]

Need help for a newbee. I'm trying to record a baby grand piano to some recording software on a Powerbook and then export as an MP3.

Any suggestions for where to get relatively inexpensive microphones (how many, placement in the piano tips, where to buy cheap in the US), what other equipment I need to connect to a TiBook, then software on the Mac to record the piano.

Thanks for all your help!

[garyyamane]

I am using a TiBook G4 and have experience with your question. You will first need a preamp to get a mic signal up to what the mac can deal with. The cheapest solution is the iMic ($40) and will give you stereo input thru usb. You next need a mic or two that have mini plugs-not so easy to find. If you want a good sounding recording I recommend the stereo Audio Technica AT422-at $250 pretty pricy but you are getting 2 mics in one and it sounds great and comes with a stereo mini plug. If you use 2 mics you will need a mini stereo to mono splitter for the one iMic port. Download the shareware Sound Studio and you are ready to go. For high end (and high price) get Digital Performer 4.11 and a MOTU 828mkII firewire interface and you will have studio quality recordings at 24 bit.