Articles

You might ask: Why not do it myself by dropping a standard common dynamic (vocal) mic into or near my piano, then plugging the output into my home stereo system?

Here is what is likely to be the result:

1. Feedback---that mortifying howl or squeal we have all heard, often occurring when microphones and amplifiers are involved, especially at higher volume levels. This can damage or ruin speakers.

2. The conventional vocal style mic readily picks up extraneous and unwanted noises from people and activities in the room such as humming and breathing of the pianist, thumping of the pedals, various clicks, clacks, and squeaks from the piano's mechanisms, or even the bench. My system greatly minimizes or eliminates these non-musical "artifacts."

Also, typical and common dynamic mics placed inside a piano---for isolation from other sound sources---can't cope with a piano's very hot and loud sound pressure levels, and distortion often results (not to mention possible damage to the mic).

3. Amplification without reverb added increases the volume (loudness) of the sound, but without that beautiful sense of spaciousness. The hard-edged, flat, and dense result is somewhat soul-less, marginally musical, and tires the ear.

4. Placement and mounting of the microphone(s) is the key to obtaining a smooth, natural and musical signal to send to the amplifier and reverb unit.

The final destination of this signal is the speaker(s). Through correct mic and speaker placement, an undesirable effect known as phase cancellation is avoided. Again, knowing what to listen for and what to do about it is the key.

Adding to and enriching the sound from the speakers is the original and unmodified sound cloud emanating non-directionally from the piano body itself.