What microphones should I buy?

[carlos84]

I am a professional piano performer. I am currently looking forwards recording a Repertoire for piano solo and violin-piano. My equipment consists on Logic Studio and an Apogee Duet Interface.
The recording will be done in my home studio. I have a budget of £600-700 to buy the right microphones.
At the moment the best options I have seem are:
-A matched pair of AKG C214
-A matched pair of Rode NT55
-A matched pair of Rode NT5 (Cheaper option)
-A matched pair of Sontronics Stc1s (Cheaper option)
-A matched pair of AKG C451 (Cheaper option)
-Other options are welcome

I am not sure about any of them and I watched several reviews and youtube videos recording but I was not impressed by any.
The AKG C214 were the only ones which record more details. The quality sounded good to me. However, I could not find any violin nor a piano recording using them (only voices and guitars).

I need the opinion of an expert Sound Technician who is used to work with acoustic instruments. I cannot buy a pair of mics each year so I would not like to make the wrong choice.

General Characteristics:

Room: 4 x 4metres plus 3metres high
Ancient wooden laminated floor and ordinary walls

Acoustics:
-Dead/Reflective: Reflective
-Nasty/Nice: in between
-Natural/enhanced: I would like a natural sound
-Piano: Upright (with expectations of having a baby grand)

Recording Techniques:
-Violin-Piano: X/Y Pattern using 2 cardioids
-Piano Solo: I would place two cardioid microphones roughly 20 to 40cm above the strings aligning mic 1 with the treble strings and mic 2 with the bass strings, both at a point about 15 cm behind the dampers.
-Violin Solo: Direct the microphone to the f holes from a height of 1.8 to 2.5m above the floor.

Music:
I would like to preserve the original sound and achieve a pure and transparent sound without any reverb.
The music styles are mainly classical and jazz repertoire: blues, stride piano, swing, bossa nova, pop, romantic and baroque music.


What do you think about it?
Do you suggest any other mic?
Have you tried any of the previously mentioned mics with acoustic instruments?

Many thanks,

Carlos

[John Bell]

I am not an expert sound technician, but looking at the dimensions of your home studio, the reflective/in between sound and no mention of acoustic treatment, it may be better to go for good quality, purpose designed contact mics/transducers and use additional mics or effects for the desired ambiance.

Cheers, John.

[John Bell]

This is an interesting site regarding piano recording.

mixonline.com/recording/applications/audio_recording_piano/

John.

[Rick Sarson]

You might find these links useful www.dpamicrophones.com/en/Mic-University.aspx

www.schoeps.de/showroom/

Obviously they talk about their own microphones, but it should help in your choice of technique. The Schoeps site is particularly clear in the differences of sound you get from mic placement on a piano. The DPA site has lots of useful information about different stereo methods. My personal inclination would be towards the NT55's. I think a little research into acoustic treatment would be useful too. Even something cheap and simple such as putting a set of curtains up on a blank wall can really help to tame a room. This www.seelectronics.com/PSRF.html might be helpful too. I use the Reflexion filter Pro for voice-over recordings and find it very useful. Although if you are looking for a natural sound then loose mic techniques in a room with a good acoustic are the way to go, such as the AB placement on the Schoeps site. A friend of mine has created a very passable recording booth out cheap duvets over a wooden frame. Perhaps with some experimentation you might be able to change your room acoustic more into the direction of 'nice'?