Recording Devices - Shure MUSIC EDUCATORS Manual

Hammers
6"-12"
8"
Figure 6
Woodwinds – Use an SM57 placed a few inches above
the bell and aimed at the sound holes (see figure 7).
Brass – Place an SM57 1 to 2 feet in front of the bell.
The closer the microphone, the brighter the sound.

Recording devices

Two things to consider when choosing a recording format are sound quality and ease
of use. While it may be tempting to buy the same gear that the local recording studio
has, keep in mind your abilities, and how much time you are willing to devote to
pouring over manuals and pushing little buttons. Let's take at look at some of the more
popular formats.
Cassette
Everyone has operated a cassette tape recorder at some point in their life, making
this a good choice for simple, straight ahead recording. Cassettes are inexpensive
and readily available. Cassette recorders can be purchased at your local electronics
superstore for attractively low prices, or more professional units are usually available
through music and sound retailers. Cassettes, however, rate near the bottom of
the sound quality totem pole. While cassette recordings are perfectly appropriate
for rehearsal or demo tapes, this is not the format to choose if you are looking for a
more "professional" sound, especially if you intend to make the finished product
available for sale.
Music
Educators
Guide
Piano – For a grand or baby grand, place
a PG81 or KSM27 roughly 12 inches
above the middle strings, and 8 inches
from the hammers. The lid should be at full
stick to allow enough clearance for the
microphone. For an upright, place a
similar microphone just over the open top,
above the treble strings (see figure 6).
Figure 7
9