How to Mic a Grand Piano for Recording and Live Sound | Shure

Learn how to mic a piano for live performance with Paul the Sound Guy. Watch as Paul demonstrates where to mic a piano to achieve different results.
The piano is a large and complex instrument with a sound that encompasses the entire frequency range. There are so many ways to mic a piano for recording or live shows depending on the type of sound you are wanting. Watch as Paul McWhirter shows a variety of different microphone techniques that you can use at home, in the studio or on the stage.
Recorded at Sweetwater Studio
Dave Martin - Recording Engineer
Jacob Dupre - Pianist

[@sepfms]

The SM137s and SM58 sound really nice and natural!

[@StuartCardell]

Wow, some stunning piano playing in this video!

[@joshuacrossing7117]

very helpful. i like how you used different mics AND different positions. Nice job!

[@ianwollstein8974]

Thanks for sharing… I just did a gig for Darren Criss and used a small condenser in the high end sound hole of the piano and a sm57 pointing across to the low end strings (lid at half stick) which worked well 🤓❤️ so many options and definitely keen to try other ideas!

[@dmcmusik]

Good stuff Paul!!

[@TristanIvy]

I am trying to help a 75 year old friend learn to use GarageBand for her baby grand piano. She wants to go back to school for composition! I have very minimal knowledge when it comes to anything related to music, so I just wanted to say that your video provided IMMENSE value, even for beginners like ourselves! Thank you!!!!!!

[@TristanIvy]

Any tips for Gain Staging specifically for a baby grand? We seem to be struggling on that front

[@shurecreators]

Hi Tristan! Glad you enjoyed the video. Our Support Team can provide some recommendations. You can reach them at shu.re/contact.

[@lifeenvironments]

Thanks so much! Been using Neumann but a bit lackluster. Many of these seem to bring some sizzle back we are looking for.

[@daviddb6449]

Thanks Paul the sound guy, interesting how these changes sound. I am trying to mic a small upright with an MV88+ to add to videos. Only need more time to play :)

[@paulthesoundguy]

Did you watch this awesome video by Yuri! ruclips.net/video/ARePi4ZUQF4/видео.html

[@dogmeadow]

This is great for setup but how does it all connect to a PA when you have two mics hooked up? Does it go into a preamp? I have stereo inputs on my PA... does it go into left and right?

[@r.f2173]

what song is this???

[@chrislundquist6621]

Hello
Can you please tell me what product you used to hold the Shure BETA 181 mics up with ?
I'm looking to purchase these for our church's piano. I enjoyed the sound that came from them and we usually have our grand piano half way open so this seemed from the video to be the best microphones for us.
Thank You

[@shurecreators]

Hi! Our team recommends the Stage Ninja MIC-12-MB magnet base.

[@chrislundquist6621]

@@shurecreators Thank You for replying back to me.
I appreciate that

[@MrNicknayme]

AWESOME!

[@d5kenn]

Maybe it's just me, but in the first example at 1:40, the stereo image of the KSM353 sounds somewhat reversed to me (bass to the right, treble to the left)?

[@trentmuse]

I think the stereo image is reversed for the entire video. I noticed it more at 5:54 and 7:04.

[@chibuezengozi]

Which Yamaha Grand Piano is this?

[@bobjosjor8307]

In the narration, it speaks of "a pair of Beta 181C" microphones. There is only one shown in the video, however. Can you confirm that it is just the one 181C placed on the stick?

[@HoaiPhuongNguyenMusic]

There is another one at the far right end near the lid hinge.