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How to Mike a Grand Piano for Recording and Live Sound

Learn how to mic a grand piano for recording and live sound using several proven microphone placement techniques. This video explores Blumlein, spaced-pair, midway, and hammer-position microphone setups to help you achieve the right piano sound for your recording, broadcast, or live performance. 
May 21, 2023
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Key Takeaways 

  • Learn how to mic a grand piano for both recording and live sound using several proven microphone placement techniques.
  • Compare Blumlein, spaced-pair, midway, and hammer-position microphone setups and hear how each affects the piano's sound.
  • Discover how microphone placement influences stereo image, room ambience, attack, and overall tone.
  • Explore grand piano miking approaches for solo performances, ensemble recordings, and live sound applications.
  • Find a starting point for grand piano microphone placement and learn how to adjust positions to achieve the sound you're after. 

How to Mic a Grand Piano for Recording and Live Sound 

In this installment of Shure's How Do You Do That? video series, Paul the Sound Guy demonstrates several popular grand piano microphone placement techniques for both recording and live sound applications. 

Watch the video below to compare Blumlein, spaced-pair, midway, and hammer-position miking approaches, and hear how each technique affects piano tone, stereo image, room ambience, and mix placement. 

Learn More About Grand Piano Microphone Techniques 

Whether you're recording a solo piano performance, reinforcing a piano in a live sound environment, or looking for a specific piano tone, microphone selection and placement play a major role in the final result. Explore additional Shure microphones and piano miking solutions to find the right setup for your application. 

Click here for more great Shure microphones for your piano.

Recorded at Sweetwater Studio, Recording Engineer: Dave Martin, Pianist: Jacob Dupre

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