Topic by dazric

  • Avatar
  • dazric
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 16-09-2016
  • Posts: 1,015

Topic: Piano lid 101

It’s great that we can (in Standard or Pro) input values to alter the piano lid position: anything from 1 (fully open) to 0 (fully closed), in increments of 0.01. That’s 101 possible lid positions, each one having a subtly different effect on the sound.
I was wondering what value I would input to replicate the ‘short stick’, for an intimate, chamber-like sound. My guess is that it would be somewhere between 0.20 and 0.35, but it probably varies, depending on the make and model of piano. Any thoughts?

Reply by Qexl

  • Avatar
  • Qexl
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 04-09-2015
  • Posts: 1,647

Re: Piano lid 101

Hi dazric,

Some magic happens at around 0.24 for me but you're right that every piano and mic array with reverb will give different results. Like in real life, it's almost endless but with some guiding principles to help find sweet spots.

If the lid is moved, it's probably a good idea to also check if the microphones also need to be moved down or angled differently because of this. It's a real joy to have this detail for sure.

Also, I really like audience perspective mics for the lid. You can position the mic(s) low, like floor level, tilted up to catch the lid's reflection (wide or lowered). You really can swear you are hearing it as it would sound IRL. Truly love these things.

Pianoteq Studio Bundle (Pro plus all instruments)  - Kawai MP11 digital piano - Yamaha HS8 monitors

Reply by _DJ_

  • Avatar
  • _DJ_
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 01-10-2015
  • Posts: 251

Re: Piano lid 101

dazric wrote:

It’s great that we can (in Standard or Pro) input values to alter the piano lid position: anything from 1 (fully open) to 0 (fully closed), in increments of 0.01. That’s 101 possible lid positions, each one having a subtly different effect on the sound.
I was wondering what value I would input to replicate the ‘short stick’, for an intimate, chamber-like sound. My guess is that it would be somewhere between 0.20 and 0.35, but it probably varies, depending on the make and model of piano. Any thoughts?

i usually just eyeball this in the mic screen and refine/tweak by ear based on volume... but actual values would surely be good infos to have!  can someone with ready access to a modern acoustic grand please measure the height offset of the lid at the rim of the case when on the short stick?  i wonder too then how much the short stick height varies between different makes of instrument??

Matthieu 7:6

Reply by dazric

  • Avatar
  • dazric
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 16-09-2016
  • Posts: 1,015

Re: Piano lid 101

Qexl wrote:

Also, I really like audience perspective mics for the lid. You can position the mic(s) low, like floor level, tilted up to catch the lid's reflection (wide or lowered). You really can swear you are hearing it as it would sound IRL. Truly love these things.

Ooh, I'll have to have a go at that audience perspective idea. Thanks!

Reply by Qexl

  • Avatar
  • Qexl
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 04-09-2015
  • Posts: 1,647

Re: Piano lid 101

Cheers dazric,

love to help.

Pianoteq Studio Bundle (Pro plus all instruments)  - Kawai MP11 digital piano - Yamaha HS8 monitors