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!

[MusicMan91]

Get SoundStudio, SoundSoap, and I'd suggest Cubase SL for you. Try OmniStudio USB, I tried M-Audio's FireWire 410 and there wasn't any difference in lag or any difference in efficiency as far as my testing went and I am using an iBook to record onto but then I transfer the music files to the iMac. As far as microphones go, if you want to get quality get a BLUE Baby Bottle and set it inside the piano. You should also get another microphone and place it about three feet behind the piano to pick up any extra noise and I have always found this mic to be important for the recording to sound more real as opposed to a studio-job. Finally there are special types of microphones specially deigned for this sort of recording that attach to the lid of the piano when it is open. I suggest an open recording as I have found it to sound a lot better, but you should play around with the mic placement to see what sounds best to you. Different styles demand for different microphone placement, editing technique, microphone type and the environment in which you record.

Have fun,
Chris