Recording Piano : Shure MV88 Smartphone Microphones for Great Audio

[@TommysPianoCorner]

If you'd like to see a comparison of the Shure MV88 with the new MV88+ (which has both Lightening and USB-C connectivity), this video should be of interest to you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4OsiZadnZh5ras

[@craigtomlinson2385]

Mate I'm a acoustic composer on KZbin and audio has been the Blaine of my life so this video has been a god send thanks so much

[@TommysPianoCorner]

I’m glad it has been helpful to you. I’ve used the mic for a couple of years now and it has been great!

[@francis363]

Craig, have you found something better? Thanks bro!

[@anuradhiweerasinghe915]

Thankyou Tommy! This probably was the most clear and detailed video I ever saw! Subscrbed

[@TommysPianoCorner]

Delighted to hear it!

[@Tarsan97]

This was really useful Tommy. I notice that almost all cheraper microphones fell short to capture especially bases. What goes for a piano goes for other instruments as well I guess.

[@TommysPianoCorner]

I think that to an extent you get what you pay for. Ultimately, if you want something just to record your practice then there are lots of cheap options that will suffice. I think the MV88 does remarkably well for its price. I recently upgraded my equipment (I can’t resist new toys) so will do a comparison recording of the exact same performance with both set ups at some point. In any event, I’ll likely stick with the MV88 for my daily use for its plus and play convenience. I think piano is one of the hardest instruments to record as the range is enormous but every instrument will I’m sure present its challenges.

[@jeffroweb]

Thank you for the video! I think this mic is a good way to step up to a stereo recording, but I'm not sure it's much of an improvement over the iPhone. I've noticed that you use two matched pair mics now instead of the MV88 and it does make a difference. I've been looking at the Line Audio CM4 mics as an option since I already have an audio interface. Did you end up making a video on your new mics?

[@TommysPianoCorner]

I upgraded my recording set up as you noticed. It is all based around my Zoom F6 recorder. I opted for a matched pair of Rode NT5 mics. This video (and those linked from it) detail what I now have. Bulletproof Piano Recording | No More Clipped Audio | Welcome to the Zoom F6 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJm8fn6VeJ6Hn6M I still use the MV88 regularly in my practice and the recent short video I uploaded of a practice room piano I was using on holiday was recorded with my MV88 as of course it is ultra portable and much less messing than the two mic set up. In terms of the difference over the internal phone microphone, I’ll upload a short video comparing the two using the recording I made for that short as I recorded the video with one phone and the audio with another so have it both from the MV88 and the phone’s mic.

[@grubheadgames]

Thank you Tommy! The MV88 does seem like an easy way to get a decent recording….maybe I’ll have to get one just to practice recording easily. I need to get over the “stage fright” when recording. Lol

[@fingerswing8948]

Thanks for sharing!! Very useful video, I'm also looking for easy use microphone for my recordings, normally I use camera inner microphone directly but sound is poor...

[@TommysPianoCorner]

The Shure MV88 or MV88+ are great options. The MV88 is iOS only, the MV88+ is also compatible with android. You’ll find the link to my recording set up in the video description that shows you software as well.

[@AnjuliHealingJourney]

how can I use the reverb effect in my music while recording... so I don't have to put the extra recoding on computer? I want to film and record at same time with reverb effect... like lumira in her videos... Maybe u can help me? I love your piano playing ❤️

[@TommysPianoCorner]

Lumira Flutes? You would need a software package capable of doing that and so far I haven’t seen one that does. I’m fairly sure she will be recording audio separately from video and then recombining the two afterwards. You can record into packages such as GarageBand or Cubase (to name two) and apply reverb as you record but you gain very little as you still need to export your recording. What recording set up do you use at the moment?

[@AnjuliHealingJourney]

@@TommysPianoCorner thanks for your answer ❤️🙏 yes with GarageBand I know it is possible.. but takes so much time to do it seperatly and I want to make music videos in nature and would be cool to have the hall effect already in the video.... but maybe I will find a possibility.... now I record with my phone and film also... but I also have a micro for my laptop and GarageBand.... I also think about buying the sure mv88...

[@rickyvattuone5479]

This was helpful, thank you! In the Waltz in C# minor, I noticed more clarity in the higher range, but the lower/bass range, was less clear....certainly more clear than just the phone mic...I'm wondering if this has to do with the fact the mic was positioned closer to the higher register of the piano? If this is the case, what is the best position of the mic to evenly capture all registers of the piano, while getting a good view of the pianist playing? I have an upright, so please consider this in your answer, thank you for your time!

[@TommysPianoCorner]

The result you get when recording I think is heavily influenced with the input. My piano has a fairly 'bright' high end and, as a result, this tends to shine through in the finished recording. Naturally, you are right about the importance of where you position the microphone. I generally put it in the curve of the piano - pretty much in the middle. Although here it's true that in reality it is somewhat closer to the brighter treble strings. I actually opt to record the audio and video separately so that I can position the mic (using an old phone) where I think it is best for sound and the camera (my current phone) where it gets the best view. Recombining the two is fairly straightforward afterwards. In terms of the best position, it's really hard to say as it depends on so many different things (your piano, your room, even your neighbours). Hopefully this video will give you some ideas of things to take into account when working this out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXWmY2idaN9pgdk

[@rickyvattuone5479]

@@TommysPianoCorner It was a beautiful performance I might add....where would you position the phone/mic on an upright for the most even balance?

[@TommysPianoCorner]

@@rickyvattuone5479 thanks. I’d be inclined to try the mic above the open lid - just inside. Try it in a few different positions - from dead center to a little left or a little to the right. This should minimise room noise and give you a nice clear recording. When I record my piano I have the lid open and the mic just inside for the same reasons.

[@georginafernandez2196]

I would like to know if the Shure MV88 condenser microphone can be used on an Android phone. Thank you.

[@TommysPianoCorner]

The Shure MV88 is iOS only I’m afraid. There is however an MV88+ which is also compatible with Android. Alternatively there is also the MV5 which might be an option for you.

[@stl0555]

At 7:30 in the video you show a iphone mount? Do you have a link to purchase it?

[@TommysPianoCorner]

You’ll find many standard tripods now come with a phone mount accessory. If you don’t currently have a tripod then this is a good option. All of the ones I have were included with something else. You can buy them separately for a few dollars but of course you then also need a tripod to attach the holder to. Here’s an example on Amazon amzn.to/3pijAs5

[@tubeiferous]

Sorry if this is a ridiculous question...but if I use the Shure microphone to get great piano sound, then I have to give up the video part of the performance?

[@TommysPianoCorner]

Not at all. If the microphone is plugged into your phone, then the video app you use will automatically pick that up. Although I generally record audio and video separately (then combine them afterwards) since it means I can put the microphone almost inside the piano. However there is no need to do this and I have done so many times

[@anaz122]

I never thought we had stereo mic’s available. Have you tried out Rhodes Mic

[@TommysPianoCorner]

I did actually consider the Rhode i-XY mic which is very similar. It's around 35 USD more expensive but I think the main reason I chose the Shure was that a few reviewers said that the design of the i-XY meant that it obscured the 'home' button on an iphone when connected.

[@seanypootheivory721]

Could you use this device on omegle while playing classical music without sound cutting out or on a 2 way video call

[@TommysPianoCorner]

I have never used it on that particular app, however, with all apps I have used so far it is the microphone that gets used when the device is plugged in. I have used mine successfully on a Zoom piano workshop where I performed for the teacher and it worked well.

[@seanypootheivory721]

@@TommysPianoCorner thats great along as it cancels the phone microphone and uses its own automatic it will work wonders

[@TommysPianoCorner]

Yes. That’s correct. Whilst the microphone is plugged in it cancels out the phone one unless you put headphones on (in which case it defaults to the microphone on the headphones). However, it comes with a small adapter that you can use between the headphones and the headphones jack that cancels this out.

[@angelcastellanosmartinez2412]

But what about Smartphones? I have a Huawei p9lite. I condenser mic needs 48v power. How do i give that voltage to the mic from a smartphone?

[@TommysPianoCorner]

There are microphones built for smartphones that do not require power (or take power from the phone). The Shure MV88+ works on android devices. You are right that many microphones require what they call ‘phantom power’ but these are not designed for use with a smartphone directly and would need a separate audio interface with a built on pre-amp. There are USB microphones too although these are mostly designed for use with a laptop rather than a phone.

[@angelcastellanosmartinez2412]

@@TommysPianoCorner Thanks Tommy for your replay

[@pipo2988]

9:44 Where did you put your mic phone? near the strings or keys? Sound is really good.

[@TommysPianoCorner]

I always put the microphone in the curved area of the piano. I have the lid open and the mic just over the lip with the R side pointed towards the treble strings and the L towards the bass. This avoids picking up the noise of my fingers/nails hitting the keys.

[@pipo2988]

@@TommysPianoCorner I was thinking about how to get a clean sound. Thank you for your detail explanation.

[@TommysPianoCorner]

The best way is to experiment. Lots of things can impact the result - especially the room in which you have your piano. I try to record in a way that avoids the room acoustics. You might get a better result having the microphone slightly further away depending on your piano and room. Good luck

[@TommysPianoCorner]

By the way, you might find this video also helpful - it goes into the next level of using this microphone: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpTCaKZ7j9Orlc0

[@pipo2988]

@@TommysPianoCorner My piano is in the soundproofed room. I will try to record in various way about distance. I really really thank you!!

[@forest-ghost4337]

Thank you for all of the amazing videos and tutorials! I really enjoy your channel. I recently purchased the MV88 to record my piano compositions. I noticed my recordings with the MV88 sound really good on my headphones or certain speakers but on some devices like my iphone or macbook I hear really terrible distortion. I have messed around with all of the settings including putting the gain at 0 and at 18 (highest setting before levels go into red). But no matter what I still get the distortion. Do you know what might be causing the distortion and a possible fix? Here's an audio sample test: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIvWqYGMjbN3orM

[@TommysPianoCorner]

I see what you mean. When I play this ‘full volume’ through my EarPods it is perfectly clear and without distortion. When I play through my phone’s speakers at full volume it distorts. If I turn the volume down slightly the distortion disappears altogether. This would seem to point to the file being too loud for the speakers as perhaps they are optimised such that it is possible to increase the volume on very quiet files. Have you tried playing it through a Bluetooth speaker? What app are you using to capture the recording? Are you putting it through a DAW afterwards and then exporting it? You might try importing the recording into GarageBand and exporting with a lower master volume - but be sure to switch off the ‘export at full volume’ option.

[@forest-ghost4337]

@@TommysPianoCorner thank you for your reply and thank you also for listening to it and the very helpful feedback. I haven’t tried listening through a Bluetooth speaker but will give that a shot. I recorded it with MOTIV. I will try importing it into garage band and lowering the master volume for the export. Thank you!