This is the 1905 Bechstein in my studio being put to work over the next few days. I am setting up for four mics. Firstly a Rode stereo pair placed inside the lid, close up to the strings for a detailed, clear and pure sound. And secondly two condenser mics in omni mode, a little way out from the instrument but in the firing line of the reflected sound from the lid, which on a grand piano acts in the same way as a speaker – projecting the sound out to the front. The second pair should capture a more rounded ‘room’ sound.
When I mix and master I will listen to the recordings from both sets of microphones and maybe blend the two together with a little reverb and eq.
I also have some stands set up for cameras to record video and stills from the sessions.
The piano tuner is coming in tomorrow and recording will begin in earnest shortly after. For now there is just a bit more practice to be done.
Hopefully you will be able to hear (and see) the results of this process soon.
We don’t have a full Atmospherica concert for you in May but I will be opening my studio as part of the Late Shows and giving short ‘Pitch Black Piano’ recitals every 30 minutes beginning at 7.15pm on Friday 18th May. Entry is free and there are loads of other things to see and do within 36 Lime Street and elsewhere in the Ouseburn that night. See the Late Shows website at 
based pianist and composer Oliver Brouwer. His second album appropriately titled ‘LP2’ is set to be released on 1631 Recordings on 25th May. You can listen to some of his work at 
the Ouseburn for another intimate performance in (almost) complete darkness. If you would like to experience what it feels like to really listen then this concert is for you. I have always wanted to make it big on the underground music scene.
