Does anyone have any suggestions? I have been told that the Canon Vixia HF 40 (or something like that) is good 'cos it has external microphone capabilities. I understand that the video is great but that the internal mic is not sufficient - but with the external mic, it would work. BUT, it's tape. I have had less than satisfactory experience with camcorder tapes in the past. I'm more interested in flash or hard drive capabilities...but I've heard that the data can be too compressed to give reliable reproduction. What I really want is something like the vixia HF 40 that can utilize an external mic or shoe, but has hard drive/flash instead of tape or DVD. And is affordable. Something $700 or less.

Holy Bhagworm

A very interesting question. My immediate thought was that the key was the piano, not the recording device. If the performance is on a digital piano, it's very easy to capture it with full fidelity. For example, the Yamaha Disklavier PRO has a special port designed for such things:

quote:

The Disklavier PRO introduces a whole new platform for musical creativity and personal development with performance recording that not only captures and recreates precision audio playback, but enables synchronized video playback of your performance as well. With Yamaha's PianoSmart™ technology, recording audio and video performance is as easy as connecting a standard video camcorder to the Disklavier PRO's I/O Center, making it possible to then play back your performance on the Disklavier PRO and a standard TV monitor simultaneously.

Source:
http://www.shermanclaypiano-ho...lavier-grand-pianos/

I did some hunting and found a discussion here:

http://www.learningmusician.co...es/0906/VideoHowTo1/

Take a look--it's not a complete answer to your question by any means--and it's a few years old--but it gives a number of options to consider (even though it's not piano-specific). For example, I hadn't thought of the need for something that works in low-light situations, but typically recitals are in darkened rooms...

Jeff

I know next to nothing on the topic, but ... some guys who do a video podcast I follow are fans of the Kodak Zi8 with an external mic, which they use for their off-site interviews. They have some sort of hand-held mount which carries both the camera and the mic. Here's their review.
--
Stephen

quote:

Originally posted by CompGuy:
A very interesting question. My immediate thought was that the key was the piano, not the recording device. If the performance is on a digital piano, it's very easy to capture it with full fidelity. For example, the Yamaha Disklavier PRO has a special port designed for such things:

quote:

The Disklavier PRO introduces a whole new platform for musical creativity and personal development with performance recording that not only captures and recreates precision audio playback, but enables synchronized video playback of your performance as well. With Yamaha's PianoSmart™ technology, recording audio and video performance is as easy as connecting a standard video camcorder to the Disklavier PRO's I/O Center, making it possible to then play back your performance on the Disklavier PRO and a standard TV monitor simultaneously.

Source:
http://www.shermanclaypiano-ho...lavier-grand-pianos/

I did some hunting and found a discussion here:

http://www.learningmusician.co...es/0906/VideoHowTo1/

Take a look--it's not a complete answer to your question by any means--and it's a few years old--but it gives a number of options to consider (even though it's not piano-specific). For example, I hadn't thought of the need for something that works in low-light situations, but typically recitals are in darkened rooms...

Jeff

Thank you, Jeff. You're great. I saw that discussion and it's very helpful. While the video is important (even in the low-light situations), the ability to follow the video with piano-specific audio (where background noise or tinny quality doesn't get in the way) is even more important. And the more that I think about it, the less I want to be involved with tape - and definitely not DVDs.

Holy Bhagworm

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen:
I know next to nothing on the topic, but ... some guys who do a video podcast I follow are fans of the Kodak Zi8 with an external mic, which they use for their off-site interviews. They have some sort of hand-held mount which carries both the camera and the mic. Here's their review.
--
Stephen

Thank you, Stephen! I saw that unit, or something just like it, at Best Buy. The guy at the store told me that I want something better and I just assumed he knew what he was talking about. The more I learn about this topic, the more confused I get.

Holy Bhagworm

If it's not going to confuse things too much, any recorder that allows an external mic. you could get a wireless Mic. and plug the receiver into the camera. Now you have a close Mic. on the piano and can move around the camera.

Any time you are recording with an on camera Mic. you will have off axis problems since the Mic. is designed for general use, probably omni-directional. Sometimes you can hear the camera running or the zoom and focus. Distance from the subject means air and sound that gets less distince because of that distance.

Another option that people use is a shotgun, or directional mic. Same problem if you aren't shooting straight at an object, but when pointed at things, it does a good job of "ignoring" side noises.

Say you decide to use a remote mic. of some sort, (stereo is better, but that's another question) You can often get a better recording with a mic placed up high, above all the things that cause interference. If the ceiling isn't too high, all the way up, a foot from the top. Now you get a nice room sound and slight reflected sound from the ceiling.

Much of this depends on the room and the mic locations, and as far as I'm concerned, any music with an on camera mic will be problematic.

Someone mentioned a direct connection to an electric instrument, which may seem like a good idea, but if there's an Amp. with a speaker involved, what you will get is the pure signal without the tone and Amp. effects, it may sound like something completely different.

Meanwhile back to the first thing that came to mind, which is the easiest and can be used in a large variety of applications. Remote wireless Mic. A lavaliere battery powered Mic. will be versatile. Just make sure it has the frequency range for music. Then the receiver attaches to the camera and plugs into it. Easy!

Camera on a tripod, Mic. stationed someplace where the sound is best. Done deal.