Best Microphone For Recording Piano

When recording piano, there are a few factors that you need to take into account. These include polar patterns, the frequency range and sensitivity.

When recording a piano, you should opt for a condenser microphone that is sensitive enough to pick up all notes and transients without distortion.

Beyerdynamic MC 930

The Beyerdynamic MC 930 stereo microphone set is equipped to handle virtually any sound you can throw at it. You'll get two mics with high sound pressure levels, cardioid pickup pattern that rejects outside noises, switchable pads for extreme sounds, and bass roll-off filters for extreme situations.

This small-diaphragm condenser microphone is perfect for recording vocals, instruments, performances and ambiance. It also works great as an XY or ORTF recording option due to its switchable pre-attenuation of 15dB and 6 dB/octave bass roll-off filter at 250 Hz.

Stereo recordings of guitar, drums and other acoustic instruments are ideal with this mic due to its extended low-end extension which captures lower frequencies in your music. Furthermore, its sensitivity is excellent; it picks up low-frequency sounds which may otherwise go undetected when using smaller mics.

Due to the piano's intricate sound, which includes many overtones and harmonics, it's essential to select the correct microphone for capturing its natural tone. The MC 930 is an ideal option as a condenser mic that will capture all of your piano's true essence while eliminating any background noise.

The MC 930 is an adaptable instrument suitable for choirs, orchestras and solo instruments alike. With its switchable pre-attenuation of 15% and 6 dB/octave at 250 Hz bass roll-off filter, you can compensate for proximity effects.

It can be used with a range of audio devices, such as mixers and computers, due to its phantom power capabilities and matched-pair design. Furthermore, it's compatible with various microphone stands so you can position it to your preference.

In addition to its capacity for handling high sound pressure levels (SPLs), the MC 930 makes for a great choice when recording piano due to its ability to minimize off-axis noise and maximize gain-before-feedback. It comes as a matched stereo pair so you can use identical microphones on both left and right channels on one mic stand.

It also comes with a padded plastic storage case for convenient transport, making it an ideal choice for studio owners or anyone else needing professional-grade, matched-pair condenser mics.

Shure KSM 141

The Shure KSM 141 is an elite end-address, small-diaphragm condenser microphone featuring an ultra-thin 24-karat gold-layered diaphragm and Class A discrete transformerless preamplifier. Additionally, its mechanical polar pattern switch allows instant switching between cardioid and true omnidirectional polar patterns for versatile recording and performance applications.

The KSM 141 offers superior resolution and clarity on close-miked instruments as well as wider, more distant sounds. It's louder, quieter and more neutral-sounding than its legendary predecessor SM-81, designed to capture various musical genres such as acoustic/electric guitar, bass, drum overheads, brass/woodwind ensembles, double bass and kick drum.

Its superior transient response and transparency make it ideal for studio and live use, featuring a super-thin 2.5 micrometer 24-karat gold-layered diaphragm combined with low-mass Mylar diaphragm for enhanced sensitivity and acoustic transparency. This combination produces lightning-fast transient response with virtually zero crossover distortion while the Class A discrete transformerless preamplifier offers excellent sound pressure level (SPL) handling as well as controlled bass response.

A 3-position attenuation switch and low-cut filter help suppress background noise and proximity effects for accurate sound reproduction from sources up to 150 dB. A mechanical polar pattern switch enables easy switching between cardioid and omnidirectional polar patterns for various musical genres, while its built-in subsonic filter eliminates the need for external filters.

This mic is ideal for use as a snare or overhead microphone, making it an all-purpose stereo pair. Its unhyped high end makes it perfect for those recording digitally who want to keep their tracks from becoming too bright.

The KSM 141 is an exceptional microphone choice for professional applications, such as piano recording. Its mechanical polar pattern switch offers consistent cardioid and omnidirectional polar patterns, while its built-in subsonic filter eliminates rumble and can handle high SPL levels with ease. Furthermore, this model comes equipped with a 3-point pad and foam windscreens - making it suitable both for studio use or live performance - making it a great investment for any music producer or performer looking to upgrade their gear.

Shure SM57

If you're searching for an excellent directional mic to record piano with, the Shure SM57 is one of your best bets. At an affordable price point, this affordable model makes it perfect for anyone just beginning in recording.

The SM57 boasts a tight cardioid polar pattern that minimizes bleed from other sounds on stage and is highly resistant to feedback. This makes it an ideal choice for live performances or studio recording projects.

With its wide frequency response range (40Hz-15kHz), it's ideal for capturing vocals, acoustic guitar, and other sources. Furthermore, its proximity effect causes bass (or "boom") to increase with proximity placement of the microphone.

Sensitivity is essential in recording music and instruments, as it allows for clear and precise reproduction of instruments and vocals. It makes an ideal choice for both stage and studio recordings since it won't distort when hitting drums harder or playing songs louder.

One additional advantage of the SM57 is its capacity for handling high sound pressure levels (SPLs) without distortion. This feature makes it particularly suitable for vocal performances, as the SM57 maintains dynamics without losing detail.

Additionally, this microphone is built to last through all the rigors of touring and performing. It can handle being dropped, knocked around onstage and more - yet still work for years to come.

Setting up and using this device is a breeze. Simply connect it to your computer via audio interface, and you're ready to go!

The SM57 can be connected to any Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) that has an audio input. Generally, you'll want to pair it with an audio interface featuring balanced XLR output.

This microphone is the most sought-after general-purpose option on the market, and for good reason. Not only is it durable and versatile, but offers exceptional sound quality at an unbeatable price point. No wonder why - this mic will surely please any music enthusiast regardless of genre!

Neumann TLM 107

The Neumann TLM 107 is an exceptional workhorse microphone for a range of instruments, such as guitar, piano, upright bass, drums and percussion - plus vocals! With five polar patterns plus variable pad/low cut settings that make it flexible yet precise; and with its dynamic range of 131dB it captures everything from subtle whispers to massive drums without noise or distortion.

It's a Neumann condenser mic that brings legendary sound quality at an accessible price point, making it ideal for musicians working in project studios or home recording setups. Its dual diaphragm capsule--a specially developed version of the Neumann D-01 model--offers extended frequency response that won't color your recordings and adds smoothness, while its head grille optimizes for reducing sibilance and pops, providing accurate tone from talent.

Another excellent feature of the TLM 107 is its single-button illuminated home for all functions, making it easier to select and set up. You can quickly switch between highpass, pad and all five polar patterns with LED indicators that light up to help ensure you select the correct setting.

The TLM 107 offers an unmatched flat response from 8 kHz across all five polar patterns, providing the least colored and most accurate capture of your signal in this large diaphragm field. A presence boost up to 8 kHz helps bring out your voice's natural attributes while its dual diaphragm capsule smoothes over any roughness in sound while adding subtle sheen for extra sparkle.

The TLM 67 is a modern update of the legendary U 67, designed to deliver crystal-clear sound without any coloration or distortion. Based on the U 67's body, grille, and capsule design, it uses transformerless solid state circuitry instead of tube circuitry so you can expect same renowned Neumann sound character and SPL handling that rivals any tube circuit - even at low volumes.

Best Microphone to Block Out Background Noise

When recording audio or communicating over the phone, it's essential to find a microphone that can block out background noise. Doing this will guarantee you can hear yourself clearly and your recordings are of high quality.

When selecting the ideal microphone for a noisy environment, there are several factors to take into account: sound quality, portability and customer reviews.

sE Electronics T2 Titanium

The sE Electronics T2 Titanium microphone is one of the best available to block out background noise due to its excellent frequency response and low self-noise. This makes it suitable for a variety of applications, while being highly versatile and long lasting.

The T2 Titanium is a professional condenser microphone designed for various applications, such as vocals and instruments. With its wide polar pattern and frequency response, it makes it suitable for many types of audio sources while its sensitivity and impedance guarantee clear, distortion-free sound quality.

It's designed to take a beating, making it ideal for musicians who must travel with their gear. Equipped with a shockmount and chassis design that allow rotation for placements in front of drum heads or guitar cabinets or angled outward to push through inside kick drums, this product can take some serious punishment.

Another advantage of the T2 is its titanium diaphragm, which is much stiffer than gold-coated diaphragms used in most large condensers. This enhances its capacity to capture quick transients - often difficult to capture with microphones - more accurately.

The T2's high frequency response makes it ideal for reproducing the impact of percussive sound sources like drums and tom toms, the velocity of an acoustic piano's hammers, guitar or bass attack, as well as hip-hop vocal punchlines.

Furthermore, the T2's high frequency resolution makes it an ideal broadcast microphone for speech reproduction. Its heavy-duty internal pop filter shields against line hum and plosives (hard "B" sounds), providing clear, intelligible speech reproduction.

Finally, the T2's -10 and -20 dB pads enable it to handle high sound pressure levels without distortion - perfect for close mic work on loud drums or other music instruments. This versatility makes it suitable for many settings while being very portable - taking it along wherever life takes you!

The sE Electronics T2 Titanium features a titanium diaphragm that is significantly stiffer than most large diaphragm microphones on the market. This increases its ability to capture quick transients, while being flexible and durable at an affordable price point - making it an excellent option for those seeking quality microphones that will do many things well.

RE-20

The RE-20 dynamic microphone is designed to isolate sound sources while rejecting unwanted background noise, making it perfect for live performances and speech recording in noisy environments.

This microphone can be used for any application requiring high-quality audio signals, including recording voice, instruments or other sources. Its Variable-D (tm) design offers a dynamic cardioid pickup pattern which reduces ambient sound and produces smooth, natural audio reproduction.

This microphone is widely regarded as the industry standard for broadcast announcers, but it also works great when recording music or other audio sources. With its Variable-D design and heavy-duty internal pop filter, this mic offers exceptional performance close to voice work while an element shock mount helps reduce vibration-induced noise.

The RE-20's large Acoustalloy diaphragm and ultra-low aluminum voice coil give it exceptional sensitivity, along with superior handling. It can handle a wide range of sound pressure levels without experiencing overload or distortion problems that plague many competing condenser microphones, even in high humidity or elevated temperatures.

The RE-20's patented Variable-D(tm) design reduces proximity effect, making it the ideal solution for applications requiring high quality voice or instrument signals. It can be used with vocals, guitar amps, electric basses, kick drums, snare drums, and other high-SPL sources.

Another advantage of the RE-20's polar pattern is its reduced sensitivity to off-axis sound signals, helping minimize unwanted noise picked up by the device. This property can be especially helpful in contact centres where most audio is background noise from customer air conditioners or other electronics.

One final advantage of the RE-20's polar design is that it is a true cardioid microphone, meaning it is most sensitive to sounds directly in front of it and least sensitive to sounds coming from behind. This makes it ideal for recording audio in noisy areas with its patented Variable-D(tm) technology offering maximum rejection at 180 degrees off axis.

CAD Audio Equitek E100S

If you need a microphone that can block out background noise, the CAD Audio Equitek E100S is one of the top choices available. It boasts a supercardioid polar pattern, low self-noise level and extended low frequency response that allow it to capture all kinds of sounds.

It also comes with a stealth shock mount that shields the mic from vibrations and environmental factors while in use, making it an invaluable investment for anyone needing high quality condenser microphone. Perfect for recording acoustic instruments and vocals in any environment!

The CAD Equitek E100S, manufactured in the USA, features a large diaphragm supercardioid condenser microphone. Nickel-plated for accurate instrument phasing and rich vocal tone with extended low frequency response, this microphone's bootstrapped, full differential Quadra-FET front end provides high sensitivity and low distortion; plus CAD's proprietary circuitry guarantees top performance.

Aside from producing an impressively quiet sound, the E100S also has a slightly vintage character that's remarkably balanced for its price point. It can handle loud sound levels that may arise in many project studios and its smooth yet detailed audio makes it the ideal antidote to shrill brilliance common with modern capacitor mics.

I've tested the E100S with vocals and instruments on a variety of recording setups, and it always produced an attractive, usable sound from whatever source I fed it. I was particularly delighted by its handling of sung vocals - often producing an attractive mix without sibilance or edginess.

However, it is worth noting that a presence peak may be included in the frequency response and may prove counterproductive for some vocalists - particularly female voices where this peak draws attention to sibilance.

I recommend using the CAD Equitek E100S with an external screen for sung vocals and a standard wind shield for close vocals, as both should work perfectly. The open grille may cause some popping when singing, but that can easily be resolved using a standard wind shield.

Shure SM7B

The Shure SM7B is one of the best microphones for blocking out background noise, making it ideal for podcasting and voiceover work. As a dynamic mic, it produces better audio output with cleaner signals, quieter noise floor, improved noise cancelling capabilities and crisp and clear sound quality.

Dynamic mics are less sensitive to loud noises than condenser models, making them ideal for recording drums and guitar amps. The SM7B can handle up to 180 decibels of sound pressure level - more than enough to handle high-volume drum kit or amp signals.

It also features a cardioid polar pattern, meaning it only picks up sound that is directly in front of the microphone. This makes it perfect for blocking out ambient noises like room tone or electrical sounds such as hum or buzz.

The SM7B microphone boasts two EQ switches that can be used to customize the sound. Low-cut and mid-boost settings help reduce rumble from resonant sources while increasing clarity in the upper frequency range.

When recording with the SM7B for podcasting, it's essential to ensure you have the appropriate settings. Keep the volume at a comfortable level while still capturing the desired sound quality. Furthermore, don't stand too far away from the microphone when recording as this could cause plosives to interfere with vocals.

Furthermore, the SM7B should always be mounted on a sturdy stand with adequate counterweight to support it and prevent vibration. Doing this will maximize your microphone's performance while protecting its components.

The SM7B features a threaded nut that connects to the microphone, making mounting and taking it with you effortless. Furthermore, an additional windscreen can be attached to the SM7B in order to reduce plosives and give your voice a deeper tone.