Piano Microphone Test
Microphones Tested
Audio Technica AT4050
Audix M1290
Audix SCX25A
Audix SCX1
Audix CX-112b
Neumann TLM 103
sE Electronics Gemini
Tests and Evaluation Methods
For the room mic test, I placed all the mic's 4 ft away from the side of the piano. The height was 5 ft and the width between the stereo pairs was about 4 ft. All the mic's captured the same performance. For the inside piano takes, I placed the mic's as shown in the pictures at about the middle distance of the length of the stings. Since I could not get all the mic's close to the same position during one performance, I had to record 2 sets at a time over 4 very similar but separate performances: AT4050 & M1290, TLM103 & SCX25, SCX1 & CX112, and Gemini. Proper care was taken to position them in the same spot.
Signal Chain
All microphones were connected via Monster Cable Performer 500 mic cables through two Digimax for 14 similar microphone preamps connected via light pipe to Alesis HD24. From there the files were extracted into Nuendo and edited for the final MP3's.
Installation
My client, who was generous enough to let us conduct the mic shootout on his concert grand, had me design an audiophile's dream recording system to record his piano. The final install included two dual channel Anthony Demaria Labs ADL600 discrete high voltage mic preamps, a PreSonus CL44 Quad compressor, Monster Pro 3500 conditioner, and all Monster Interconnects and SP1000 mic cables. For microphones we installed the SCX25A-MP (matched pair) piano mic kit which used Dflex mounts instead of stands. These were mounted directly inside the piano. For the room mics we used the CX-112-MP (matched pair) mounted on strait stands about 3 feet from the piano. We recorded a few things to CD.
Take a listen. The first sample has the room mics 10db under the inside mics. For the second sample, which is what the client decided to permanently use, the room mics were 7.5db under the inside mics.
fferences that I really do not have much to say. The micro series M1290 did have a little mid boost that brought clarity to the individual notes. Otherwise it is a personal preference.
Audio Samples (MP3)
Room Mic Evaluation
As I listen to all the different room mic pairs (with the ability to jump between them instantly), I noticed such subtle differences that I really do not have much to say. The micro series M1290 did have a little mid boost that brought clarity to the individual notes. Otherwise it is a personal preference.
Inside Mic Evaluation
I notice less low end and more clarity to the M1290 above all the others. The SCX1 added a little more low. The TLM103 seem to have a bit more low mids than the other mic's in general. It isn't really a pleasant characteristic. It seems the SCX25 has a touch more presence than the CX112. Take into consideration, when you are doing close miking inside the piano, proximity effect lessens the need for extreme low end. Most of your large diaphragms might need a roll-off on. Hence, the M1290, SCX1 and the SCX25 make sense. Take a listen.