EarthWorks Piano-Mic System

buzzsmith · Post by **buzzsmith** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:56 am

Still wondering.
Anyone used this before?

Other suggestions?

Photo of my piano and the room. (I normally will throw some "producer blankets" over and underneath to cut down on the reflections.)

Thanks!

Buzzy

(Mics pictured are Shure KSM44s)

buzzsmith · Post by **buzzsmith** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:01 am

Most of my piano recordings are standards, jazz, country and some pop. Very little classical. Some solo piano.

Buzzy

primeevolutionary · Post by **primeevolutionary** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:12 am

I am using it and I'm in love with the results, but, I am NO classical pianist. But, if it makes my noodlings sound incredible, it's going to make a trained pianist sound stellar.

I have a Yamaha G3 (I think 80s). The reason I ended up with the PianoMic is that I have a very live living room and was having a lot of problems with reflections. I now typically record with the lid closed and it sounds no different than if I had the lid open.

mhschmieder · Post by **mhschmieder** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 12:20 am

My understanding is that its primary purpose is live concerts vs. recording studios, as there are many way more advanced systems and techniques for recording pianos in the studio (one of them patented by a fellow forumite).

I spoke with them about it at AES last year and this was where I picked up on this impression -- and by no means is it a negative comment. It is VERY difficult to quickly set up a dependable high quality miking system for pianos in live shows, and in some cases (especially operas and ballets or Broadway shows where the piano might serve a dual purpose of providing the music and being a stage "prop"), the piano may need to move about during the performance, without having to re-mic everything.

This is meant to be a no-nonsense system that gives a balanced sound in most situations. I simply don't think they meant it to be the end-all of STUDIO piano miking. It's a problem solver more than anything else.

Having said that, I haven't used it. It seems to be doing well at the local pro audio shop, precisely because a lot of live acts would like a simpler yet high quality piano miking system. Even rock music acts, where sometimes they have resorted to an acoustic piano "facade" around an electric piano interior. Now they might switch back to acoustic pianos, with less fuss.

Phil O · Post by **Phil O** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:49 am

Buzz,I remember you posting about this a while back. At that time I had no experience with this mic system. I have recently, however, had the opportunity to play with one of these suckers.

Earthworks is known for accuracy. If you're looking for color, look elsewhere. With that said, I put my Earthworks TC20s up against this piano mic, and I was hard pressed to tell the difference. (Which is what you'd expect if they're accurate.) You can get a matched pair of TC40s (two levels up from my TC20s) for around $2200. The piano system is around $3000. The main advantage, as far as I can see, of the piano system is it's ability to be easily used with a closed lid. If that's important to you then it may be worth the investment. On the other hand if you were to go for a pair of TCs or QTCs, it would be less money and you'd have a great pair of omnis for other applications. Either way, I highly recommend Earthworks for piano.

The mics I got to use this summer belonged to a pianist that uses them live. We were recording a Steinway in a huge living room at this lovely home (mansion) in Scituate. He brought them to the gig 'cause he thought they might be useful. They were.

Good luck on your quest, Buzz.

BTW, there's a project being negotiated that involves some huge names (which I'm not at liberty to reveal yet) which just might be recorded in that same room. I'm pretty sure I'll be the engineer on that project if it flies. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Wish me luck.

Phil

Dan Worley · Post by **Dan Worley** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:20 pm

Is that a C3? You don't see many of those around. Nice!

Your place is so neat and clean. Not one thing out of place. Very pleasant and inviting. It makes my studio seem so dirty and cluttered.

c-ya,

Dan Worley

buzzsmith · Post by **buzzsmith** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 5:01 pm

Dan Worley wrote:Is that a C3? You don't see many of those around. Nice!

Your place is so neat and clean. Not one thing out of place. Very pleasant and inviting. It makes my studio seem so dirty and cluttered.

c-ya,

Dan Worley

The photo was taken on a "clean day".

I'm embarrassed to say that I've forgotten the model! (at gig right now)

It's what they call a Conservatory Grand and the MIDI grand. Transmits MIDI, but does not receive. Not high on my priority list to locate the power supply, but maybe someday.

And, thanks for the other replies, too!

I'm processing...

Buzzy

buzzsmith · Post by **buzzsmith** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 8:25 am

C7.

Buzzy

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