In a few months, I would like to start making slightly more serious recordings of my piano performances using a good portable recorder. I haven't estimated a precise budget yet, but that will determine whether to choose the Zoom H6 or the Zoom H4n. My questions are: If my budget required a lower expenditure than the Zoom H6, would the H4n be worth it or should I opt for something else? What should I attach to the microphone for a good recording (what type of stand, for example, etc.)?
The H4n is better than the H6 in terms of preamps and adjustment, costs less, and still has the possibility of using 2 external microphones (compared to the 4 of the H6).
For 250 euros you can find it including everything (power supply, screw-on mount, etc..). If you then get a microphone stand with an adapter (50 euros), you're all set.
The H4n, in terms of preamps and adjustment, is better than the H6, costs less, and still has the possibility of using 2 external microphones (compared to the 4 of the H6).
For 250 euros you can find it including everything (power supply, screw-on mount, etc..). If you then get a microphone stand with an adapter (50 euros), you're all set.
I will take the advice into consideration. More than anything, I was thinking that if I want to make a fairly good recording, I would need at least a microphone stand that sits on the floor and not on the piano, so theoretically I need an articulated stand that can be adjusted over the strings. Does this type of support exist for the Zoom H4n?
it depends on what you need to record. Certainly, you never place it on the piano, but the distance from the instrument also depends on the type of music you want to record. For classical music, a stereo technique quite far from the piano is preferable, possibly with an accent microphone.
it depends on what you need to record. Certainly, you never place them directly on the piano, but the distance from the instrument also depends on the type of music you want to record. For classical music, a stereo technique quite far from the piano is preferable, perhaps with an accent microphone.
I need it to record fairly varied music, mainly Romantic music. More than anything, what worries me is that there are some pieces that have quite heavy parts (let's take some of Rachmaninoff's preludes as an example) and I would like to limit the phenomenon of harmonic distortion as much as possible which, as much as I can avoid it by playing less heavily, could in any case occur with a low-quality microphone or with incorrect positioning of the equipment
I would like to ask a technical question: when recording an instrument, besides verifying the correct position of the microphone or microphones and adjusting the correct frequency range for that specific instrument to avoid distortion, shouldn't one calibrate the microphone gain level in such a way as to perceive the most delicate emission as well as the peak, the latter by trying to play fortissimo across the entire range?
I have always thought that it should be done this way, so as to be sure that even at maximum key pressure, no distortions will occur.
Position the microphones at a distance between 2m and 2.5m from the side of the piano tail and at a height of 1.5 to 2m. The microphones should point toward the intersection of the strings.
@Piccinesco
Your observation is correct. However, one must always see what is being recorded and measure the dBSpl. Microphone capsules do not have an infinite capture range. It is possible to reach the maximum capture limit, say 120dB. If the sound source exceeds this limit, it is the microphone capsule itself that clips the crest of the wave. Clipping the crest sharply causes cusps to form and thus introduces odd harmonics (typical of a square wave), hence the harmonic distortion. In some contexts, this distortion is actually sought after (see the use of distortion pedals in electric guitars); everything comes down to style. In this case, it is obvious that distortion is not being sought, so watch the levels!
Position the microphones at a distance between 2m and 2.5m from the tail side of the piano and at a height of 1.5 to 2m. The microphones should point toward the intersection of the strings.
@Piccinesco
Your observation is correct. However, one must always see what is being recorded and measure the dBSpl. Microphone capsules do not have an infinite capture range. It is possible to reach the maximum capture limit, let's say 120dB. If the sound source exceeds this limit, it is the microphone capsule itself that clips the crest of the wave. Clipping the crest sharply causes cusps to form and thus introduces odd harmonics (typical of a square wave), hence the harmonic distortion. In some contexts, this distortion is actually sought after (see the use of distortion pedals in electric guitars); everything comes down to style. In this case, it is obvious that distortion is not being sought, so watch the levels!
Thank you very much for the clarifications. Regarding equipment, then, would the Zoom H4n be okay? Unfortunately, my concern is always the phenomenon of distortion; in this case, I want to achieve decent quality, meaning nothing special but at least a fairly clean sound without the crackling that can come from a recording made with a cell phone or a video camera
