Recording solo pianist

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Dave Modisette
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2013/02/21 08:55:16 (permalink)

Recording solo pianist

I've got an older gentleman whose son in law has commissioned me to create a recording of him playing some popular piano tunes for his daughter's birthday.  I'm guessing they want to document and archive his abilities for family purposes.

I'm not going to set up a click and try to have him play to it.  I'm going to set up a midi recording, punch record and let him go at it for each song and use a virtual piano running in real time.  I might fix a "clam" or two if he hits a bad note but I'm not planning on a lot of edits because the budget doesn't allow it.

I've never recorded a solo pianist before in this way (I usually just do audio, recording the output of their keyboard) so I'm speculating that  doubling the tempo (since I am not recording to a click) and running 960 ticks per beat would give less granularity in the recording if there are glissandi or rolled chords. 

Any experience here?

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    Jimbo 88
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    Re:Recording solo pianist 2013/02/21 09:08:59 (permalink)
    Hey Mod Bod,  that sounds like a good idea.  I have noticed that the steps you have suggested greatly improve the timing and feel of a midi performance,  but there is a point of no more benefit and computer gaging a little.  I'm sure you are going to test it out and determine if you have gone too far.

    A suggestion....If you can... run a mic at the same time and capture room noise.  It will personalize the recording.  You will hear his foot pushing the damper pedal, he might grunt or laugh as he plays...things that will mean much more than the actual song.  Mix that in the final recording.  If not a mic, run a video camera, load sync and mix that audio into the recording.

    Good luck,  have fun, make people happy. 

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    Fog
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    Re:Recording solo pianist 2013/02/21 09:16:54 (permalink)
    depends what sort of piano it is, to how you record it.

    BUT personally I wouldn't record a live piano, as I don't have decent enough facilities /because I have reason pianos + the new RE piano... and the ones in kontakt and a few more..

    http://www.youtube.com/wa...dded&v=DrgJkY9E11s

    1:50 in


    #3
    konradh
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    Re:Recording solo pianist 2013/02/21 10:51:12 (permalink)
    Why wouldn't he just play a keyboard live to trigger a virtual piano?  You capture the MIDI and change VIs later.  I am asking because clicks are usually a real problem for people who do not usually do studio work--especially if they are playing pop songs solo.  Without a band or overdubs, I wouldn't think quantizing would really add anything.

    Also, the ticks don't matter if you are not quantizing, but, even so, I can't imaging needing that much resolution.

    Just my dumb thoughts...maybe I just don't understand the situation.  Good luck!

    Konrad
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