Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner Recording uprights + equipment recommendations?

Hello! Hopefully this is in the right section, if it's not I apologize!

I'm just wondering if anyone has experience with recording uprights. I'd like to upgrade from using my little digital camera to some kind of mic...but I'm not exactly sure where to start. I've looked up a lot of different things online, but most seem to gear towards grand pianos + professional recording...but I'm just doing this as an amateur/for fun, lol.

So yeah, I'm wondering if anyone knows of some decent mics? I'm not looking to spend too much (maximum probably $200, but anything cheaper without sacrificing quality is a definite plus). I'd also like a mic that makes the piano sound natural...I'm not a fan of the super ultra pristine clear-cut bright sound (I find that tends to sound artificial). But, I won't get too picky at this point.

Also, where would you guys recommend microphone placing for an upright? Would behind the piano work? Should I open the lid?

Any input would be greatly appreciated...thanks!

You can get one of those Zoom recorders.

They are easy to use and can make a decent quality recording.

I have a grand, but if I were to record an upright I would probably place the mics at the back of the piano or open the lid an place the Zoom pointing towards the strings (you might have to use some mic boom or tripod for this)

Here is an example of how the Zoom H4n sounds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNeWCTf_qXs

And here is another example recorded with the H2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf7bojNrTns