Grand pianos and Vanguard microphones go together like peanut butter and jelly. But wait, are we talking chunky or smooth? A velvety jam or a seeded preserve? We haven’t even mentioned the bread…
Just like making a great PB&J, when it comes time to mic up a piano, there are a lot of variables at consider. Luckily, Matt Anderson is here to help. He’s the owner of MillSounds Studio, and a metaphorical Sandwich Artisan.
In the video below Matt compares the sound of his grand piano with the lid on and off, with a variety of multiple mic-ing techniques, including:
- Spaced Pair of Vanguard V4gen2 Fet Mic (Omni – lid on and off)
- X/Y Stereo with a Vanguard V44Sgen2 Stereo Condenser (Cardioid – lid on and off)
- Blumlein Room Mic with an AEA R88 Ribbon Mic (lid on and off)
It’s incredible to hear the difference between not only between the piano lid position, but the mic techniques as well, all in one video. You can clearly hear warm lows, smooth highs, chunky bits of peanuts, and… wait, I’m slipping back into PB&J talk again.
Check out the video below and decide for yourself which combination you like best. I’m gonna go eat a sandwich.
