Equipment & Techniques
Artists using our facilities not only have access to an exquisite Bösendorfer piano, but also to a range of high quality recording components specially chosen to compliment each other, ensuring rich and accurate acoustic results.
We often find stereo miking a piano from a few feet away using valve mics gives a naturally warm and accurate sound image with very low noise. Rode NTK and MXL V77 tube mics are excellent for this in our experience.
It can also be useful to capture the more rounded sound of the piano from further away, and for this Rode NT2 and AKG condenser mics are available. Furthermore capturing the sound directly off the soundboard with a close mic can add immediacy and vitality to the mix.
The option to use a blend of these sources during mixing is left open, and many variations may be achieved.
Here at pianoreocrding.co.uk, the idea that "one size fits all" is the exact opposite of how we go about things. Each session is tailored to what is best for your recording, not what is most convenient for us. No two pianists have the same requirements and we respect this.
Software and Technology
Modern digital recording allows unprecedented engineering flexibility. The right software in experienced hands facilitates quick and seamless edits, and makes the process of sound capture and mixing a pleasure rather than a worry. There are countless creative possibilities too.
Pianorecording.co.uk has 2 modern Apple Macs, both running Cubase SX3. These provide a fast and solid recording system that lets us concentrate on the business of recording, rather than on glitches and fixes. Once a good mic set-up has been achieved, the time is yours to play and record to your heart’s content.
About Altiverb:
Altiverb is a relatively new and exciting reverb program. Imagine your piano recording being staged in one of the world's famous concert halls, or for that matter in any number of smaller auditoria including top recording studios’ live rooms or the grand spaces of European stately homes. Now this is possible with Altiverb. Actual samples of the reverberation of acoustic spaces are applied to your recording. The “effect” is absolutely convincing because the reverb being triggered is real. Goodbye to nasty digital reverbs that only ever sounded passable on piano recordings. And farewell to having to hire famous concert halls to get the right ambience.
You can visit the Altiverb site for further information on their visionary technology.
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Engineer
James Bacon's experience as an engineer, producer, composer, songwriter and pianist means that artists recording here receive careful and open-minded approach to the recording process. As there are so many variables, from the choice of programme right down to each artist's performance style, it is essential that these are considered from the outset to achieve the best results.
James is happy to explain the possibilities for engineering a recording and to listen to the views and aspirations of the artist.
Post Production
Post production involves adjustments to the overall tonal balance of a mix. Equalisation, compression and limiting can bring addtional clarity and excitement to a mix, giving your recording a professional edge. Here we are especially aware of the need not to "overcook" a mix - the tendency in recent years has been towards harsh loudness and at the expense of dyncamic range.
Available to artists recording here are the following tools:
• TC Electronic Finalizer PLUS – the industry's gold standard digital stereo mastering processor, with 5 band parametric EQ, expander, compressor, limiter (etc). An amazingly useful tool.
• Firium and Equium professional digital equalisation software run within Cubase.
• Avalon VT 747 signal processor with valve signal path for added warmth, transparent optical compression and a class A, 6-band mastering equaliser. Each stage of this program may be switched in or out as required.
Our aim is to produce natural and rounded audio masters.
tel: 0114 267 9808 (9am-9pm Mon to Sat)
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