Hi Fun,

Yes,that is correct, 2 boom mic stands. I don't think you can go wrong with the NT5's Of course there are better mics out there for the piano, but they cost a lot more.

Here is another LX recording, using the same mic configuration as above.

"Dancing in the Dark" on the LX. http://www.box.net/shared/eb4bmh0uoa

Here's some samples from my Earthworks mics on a rebuilt Baldwin baby grand.

Recording 1

Recording 2

In the relatively low budget range, I recorded a very short passage mono with an NT1A ($229) and then with a Sterling Audio ST-66 tube microphone ($399). Though the tone of my piano is not great at this point, I think the ST-66 is better. I might buy a second one so that I can record in stereo. Here is the clip; the NT1A is the first mic and the ST-66 the second one (same location same shock mount):

NT1A and ST-66

(I had the level slightly too high so there is a bit of cutting out but I think you can still notice a difference).

Yet another try -- I did some tuning (though I'm still not quite done, it sounds much better), and this is with two NT1A mics. The positioning was not ideal (both at the treble end of the piano), but it is much better than previous recordings I made. The trouble with the ST-66 is that it picks up so much of the high frequencies that there is noise (like my computer running). The NT1A's might end up being enough for me once I get the tuning and positioning right:

NT1A's in stereo

Based on the earlier comments and examples mentioned in this thread, I decided to purchase a pair of M-audio Pulsar II. Just received them and did a quick recording of my Estonia. I'm rather pleased with the result. Here's the clip:
Chopin Waltz in A Minor

I have the QTC40 (Earthworks, around $2,500 a pair) and I totally ADORE them! They are crispy clear and very well made for the occasion of recording a piano. Problem is that it just reveals all problems a piano might have and while on a Steinway and a concert hall you would get a superb sound, on another place and another piano, things might not be ideal, sadly!

But I still adore my QTC40!

Nice recording; liked the Waltz. I've never played or heard live an Estonia, so this was quite interesting to me. On the recording it sounds somewhat bright to me, but pleasingly so. Is that the way you hear it live?

Hop

Hi Fun,

Very nice, I enjoyed your playing and the recording. It sounds like those mics are very good, and your Estonia piano has a very nice sound to it.

Hop, the recorded sound is slightly brighter than the live sound. The piano sounds a bit "thicker" live. I'll experiment with different mic position, and maybe some EQ. But I kind of like the sparkle in the recording.

Grandpianoman, thanks for your compliments and your helps in this thread. Since the M-audio are the cheapest mics I found that seems to capture nice sound for others, I decided to give it a shot before trying other more expensive alternatives. I think it's good enough for me. The Rode, Earthworks and others mentioned in this thread sound really amazing though!