Disklavier

>> I am finally thinking about entering the world of
>> digital audio recordings of piano performances.  I want
>> a portable set-up

Carol,

There are 3 basic elements that you need to address:

1. The recording space (acoustics)
2. The microphones and mic pres
3. The recording medium

Until # 1 & 2 are right, #3 doesn't matter.

I'm a pro. I also own a top-shelf recording studio and have unlimited  
resources for recording equipment and technology -- when I bought my  
disklavier for my home, I thought I'd "simply" bring some gear home  
and make killer piano recordings... that didn't work as well as I had  
hoped.

1. your acoustic space. crucial. most home environments will not  
translate. mine didn't. and I even brought in expensive bass traps  
and other acoustical material. I ultimately gave up... and now I  
simply use my disklavier to record and fine tune my performances, and  
I go to tape using samples - but that's another thread.

2. I bought a matched pair of Audix SCX-25 mics. These cost about  
$700 each (I paid less). I have used these mics on recordings and  
concerts worldwide, and they are an extremely good value. You could  
spend many thousands of dollars on better mics... I found these Audix  
mics to be accurate and true. They will also let you hear every  
weakness in your acoustic space and instrument.

2B. Mic pres -- I own a very large, very expensive pro tools HD/TDM  
system. I also bought an mBox to do remote editing. The mic pres in  
the mBOX are designed by Focusrite, and for the money, are very good.  
I compared them to my external  high-end pres, and although they  
didn't "suck", the were clearly the weakest link.

3. mBox is a great product for low track count editing. The protools  
LE software coupled with a fast computer is very powerful. And for  
less than $500, an unbelievable value. I can't think of a better  
editing system for the money.

HOWEVER - unless you are satisfied with the acoustics and the  
recorded sound, protools can't help you.

I would be happy to loan you these mics for a few days if you are  
serious about giving it a shot.

Jeremy