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I'm trying to find out which mics and videocamera should i buy to record my piano playing at home. Apparently i need 2 microphones, is that correct? And some sort of camera. I just have no idea that what kind of set up should i buy. Should i spend 200 euros, or 600? 1000? Does the quality get a lot better at home recording when going up in price.

Right now I have Zoom Q3 and im not satisfied with the quality i can get out of it. So, im looking for something that is a markable upgrade to that.

Not to horn in on this question. But, obviously, that's what I'm doing. I see that the Quarterly Recitals require an mp3 format. What is the minimal equipment necessary for audio only recording in this format? For background, I have ZERO recording knowledge and don't even download mp3 recordings to an iPod or other listening device. I am really a techno idiot!!!

Check out the Zoom recorders - H4, H2, Q2HD. They are simple-to-operate hand held devices (can be mounted on a tripod) with built-in condenser mics. Zoom produces both audio only and HD audio/video recorders. Some can be purchased for around $200.00.

With everything built in to the Zoom recorders, there is no need to acquire various components which, then, need to be interconnected and placed and balanced, etc.

For playback, you'll need a headset, or you will need to download the files to a computer and listen to them from there. Once you've transferred the files to a computer, you can transfer them to a CD or download them to various public internet sites for sharing.

Many have observed, by the way, that placement is everything with these recorders when recording piano music. Before dismissing a model as not capable of giving the results hoped for, one should try various locations while recording.

Regards,

Yes, at least two mics.(I don't recommend a single stereo mic)

For the mics, I use a pair of omni Rode NT-5 and I am happy with the results. You can check my YouTube page for the actual recorded sound examples.(not the ones from the competition, they are recorded with onboard mics of the Zoom Q3HD)

You will need a video camera that has at least a line level input. The Zoom Q3HD has line input and that is why I use it for video recording.
You will also need a mixer or a preamp with phantom power to connect the mics. The output from mixer/preamp goes to the line input of the video recorder.
This way, you can record audio and video in sync without any further editing, which would be required if you had recorded them separately. And believe me it is a pain to sync the audio and video.



I am assuming you are talking about the sound quality.
To my knowledge Q3 does not have a line in port. Also mic gain cannot be adjusted, only certain presets are available (similar with Q3HD). These kind of auto gain or low cut etc. filters which change the volume/frequency are not good for recording the piano. Because you won't record the natural sound of the piano.

If you want to deal with syncing issues, you can go with the H4N which has 2 XLR mic inputs and phantom power. That will save you from a preamp/mixer.



My setup (Rode mics + Soundcraft mixer + Zoom Q3HD) is around $1000 (770 euro). IMO, for home recording purposes a similar budget or even less is adequate.

I like the Zoom H4 a lot. It's very easy to use, and sounds good for the money.

If you want stereo sound then yes. If you're a noob, then you might be better off getting something with built-in mics (or a stereo mic) then getting two separate mics. Stereo micing can be a tricky thing.


You should be able to get a decent sound out of the Q3. FWIW, there are many things that can negatively effect a recording, such as mic placement, the room/reflective surfaces, poor signal processing. I would try to get the best sound out of your current recorder before replacing it.






Those are great mics!
HTH

I have a Zoom Q3 and it's not producing the quality wanted.






The problem is that both of the microphones and camera are all sticked together. I can't place them in different locations. I have a determined place for camera and thats where both of the mics have to be when using Q3.

Oh, right. I should have realized that...sorry.

Like BruceD, I have found the Zoom, in my case an H2, ideal in every way. There are several parameters which require optimising to suit you own situation. It took me about a day to find the best position and configuration, and surprisingly it wasn't an obvious one. This exercise needs to be done only once and thoroughly.

It is possible to play directly from the device to a hi-fi using the lead out, but the sound isn't the best (don't know why, it's fine with headphones) and so I usually just copy the file onto a memory stick and play that in the hi-fi. In fact, USB sticks are mostly what I use lately, just writing CDs if people want them.

Any editing, normally very minimal and confined to lopping off beginnings and endings and a little balancing of channels, is five minutes work in Audacity.

There is the question of which recording mode to use. I used to record in wav but then I found that mp3 256kbps sounded just as good; I cannot tell the difference.

I secure the Zoom to a tripod for stability during recording.

I have no interest in video as I have no desire to view my ursine groping at the instrument, which spectacle would just be a distraction.

This thread can help too.

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/187579/all/best%20piano%20microphone.html

First of all the mics should be of the condenser type. Dynamic mics are not for recording piano.

Some of the things you should consider when selecting the condenser type mics are the pattern, frequency response, spl, diaphragm size.

The pattern of the mic determine how it is picking up and rejecting the sound. There are Omni, cardioid, figure 8 etc. patterns. Personally I prefer two omni mics. Cardioids could be good for close miking. For figure8, there is a recent thread on the Piano Forum, where two figure 8 mics have been used in a Blumlein setup.

Piano sound ranges from 27.5 Hz in the bass to 4186 at the treble. But considering the overtones your mic should have a frequency response of 20 Hz- 20000 Hz. Also the frequency curve should be flat. So that the volume of the sound recorded must be about the same through the frequency range.

Since piano is a loud instrument, spl of the mic should be able to stand the loudest chords you would play.

Small diaphragm mics produce a more crisp, detailed sound, whereas large diaphragm mics have a more round and full sound.

Whoa!!!! I looked at the thread referred to in the previous post. THAT was way over my head!!!! I can see that some of you are really trying to capture professional quality recordings. Multiple mics and separate recording devices not only run some serious money, but take some serious technical skill to operate. That is not a description of me!!!

I've looked at the Zoom recorders. The H2 gets good reviews though is regarded as rather flimsy in construction quality. The H4n gets very high marks for a portable digital recording device. I'm not sure yet what all comes in the basic package. If a tripod is not included, I would think that's a necessity along with possilby a remote control unit to minimize handling of the actual recorder when recording. I like that the H4n can be listened to without headphones.

Please, anyone with an H4n please chime in with how you like it and any difficulties or drawbacks you have with the unit. I don't want something so complicated I will have trouble figuring out how to use it. I really want something only to be able to post recordings of myself here on PW and maybe use in my lessons in some way. Whatever I get has to be used and functional to be worth the money spent. Input from current Zoom uses would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

dynamobt, if you want a simple recorder you can go either with the Zoom H1 or H2n. H4n has some additional features (like connecting extra XLR mics, 4 track recording etc.) that you might not be interested, which also makes the device more complex.

The good thing is, H1 and H2n both have adjustable mic gains, and H2n even has an analog mic gain.

Here is one sample from youtube.

http://youtu.be/WcXCLqBzTYI

I own an H4n and I have been testing out different setups using the onboard mics. I will be posting samples soon and perhaps you can judge from these if it's something you'd like to invest in.

I use an H2N for home recording of my BB. It works very well, and, when recorded in XY+MS, you can import files into Audacity and adjust the mixing of the four channels. The low freq. end is OK for home recording, and you can EQ it up in Audacity as well. Get Avenson mics if you want great sound at a cheap price.

Here is where I place my H2 for most recordings. Its also gives easy access. Here it is with lid down. I'm currently in the process of upgrading to a multi mike setup with booms etc. Dont mind my hack playing...

I'm just about at the point of deciding on the H2n. It's an upgrade from the H2 which has been discontinued, though still availabe for purchase from various vendors. The H4n looks a bit more complicated than I'm ready for. I found a nice package of the recorder and accessories on Amazon for $220. Seems like it includes everything I might need except for a mic boom if I get particular about the mic placement. I am hoping I can come here with questions about operation of the product as I am sure to have questions. I am so hoping that this is the recorder for dummies. Because I am not intuitve about electronic things.

This was recorded on an H2 (video wasn't obviously).

[video:youtube]F81LROhEd40[/video]


This, both video and audio, was a Zoom Q3HD

[video:youtube]kdACa4zjeoM[/video]

Good enough for me. So, I ordered it from Sweetwater. They were recommended over Amazon for their tech support. Tech support is good! I may need it!!!

Don't be afraid to experiment, but save, save save! Oh, and be sure you have a couple of memory cards too, nothing is worse than making the best recording of your life and finding out afterwards that it ran out of memory.

I was thinking about this and got a 16gb card in addition to the 2gb card that comes with the recorder. Also, I will be uploading to my computer frequently. It will take me a while to learn the capacity of the cards in relation to number and length of pieces recorded. I will be overwhelmed at first,I'm sure. But, what the heck! I'll experiment and eventually figure it out. The whole point is to have some fun with this. I intentionally went with Sweetwater.com for their tech support as well. I'm likely to need it!

Here is where I have links to the files I did. Mainly it's the same musical passage with different locations for the H4N, but perhaps will be useful for you:

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2066244/5.html