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Studio & Recording > Studio Microphones > Condenser Microphones > Earthworks Piano Mic System

Earthworks Piano Mic System

Item ID: PianoMicSys

Dual High-definition Random Incidence Mics for Piano (48V)

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From Our Research Team:

Change the way you mic piano!

The Earthworks PianoMic System is poised to change the way we look at miking pianos on stage and in the studio. As engineers we know the special set of challenges that arise when miking a piano. From striking the perfect balance between the treble and bass to the sheer inconvenience of placing a mic on the instrument, a piano is one of the most difficult instruments to mic. The PianoMic System is a dream come true for live sound and recording applications. If you've ever struggled miking a piano, look to the PianoMic System!

Earthworks PianoMic System at a Glance:
  • Random Incidence High Definition Microphones
  • Incredible Gain Before Feedback
  • Virtually No Bleed
  • Quick and Easy to Set Up

Random Incidence High Definition Microphones
The heart of the PianoMic System is two omnidirectional 40kHz High Definition Microphones with a frequency response from 9Hz to 40kHz, incredible impulse response and very short diaphragm settling time. The 40kHz High Definition Microphones have been designed for random incidence pickup. When microphones are placed inside a piano they are within a sound field that has multiple sound sources: i.e. every string, the soundboard, multiple reflections of the sound from the sound board, the sides and the lid of the piano. All these sound sources and reflections produce sound waves that arrive at the microphones from all directions. This is called a diffused sound field, and the PianoMic System High Definition Random Incidence Microphones are designed to perform optimally within such diffused sound field. In addition, these omni microphones have no proximity effect and the sound will remain the same (no increase or decrease in low frequency levels) no matter how close or how far the microphones are from the piano strings or sound board. This system provides exceptional sound quality with the piano lid either up or down.

Incredible Gain Before Feedback
The large amount of gain before feedback is achieved because the microphones are placed very close to the sound source and are within the sound field of the piano. The PianoMic System is able to make a piano sound louder than a loud pipe organ, and with a great deal more gain available before reaching feedback.

Virtually No Bleed
You might be asking yourself, "How can you use omni microphones and have essentially no leakage of sounds from outside the piano?" There are two important elements in the answer: (1) the microphones are placed inside the piano shell and are somewhat isolated from sounds outside the piano; (2) microphones are placed 3 to 6 inches above the piano strings, making the sound level of the piano picked up by the microphones phenomenally louder than sounds coming from outside the piano. Therefore any outside leakage picked up in the piano mics is dramatically lower in level than the sound of the piano itself.

Quick and Easy to Set Up
The PianoMic System uses an adjustable telescoping tube that is supported by the sides of the piano case. The telescoping tube can be adjusted to any length from 46 to 64 inches to easily accommodate any type of grand piano. The support arms that sit on the side of the piano case are smooth with a protective coating that will not harm the finish of the piano. They are less than 1/8-inch thick, so the piano lid can be easily closed on top of them with absolutely no danger of stressing the piano lid hinge. The telescoping tube spans across the piano over the strings and can be moved so the two microphones can be placed close to the hammers or further away from the hammers. The telescoping tube can be placed on the piano with the microphones facing the keyboard or with the microphones facing away from the keyboard. This flexibility allows a wide range of microphone placement options using the PianoMic System. As various makes and models of pianos differ in their size and construction, the highly adaptable PianoMic System will provide you with optimum results on any grand piano. The center section of the tube can be moved as much as eight inches to the left or the right if you desire to favor either the low or high strings of the piano. In addition, the flex arms allow the microphone heads to move approximately four inches to the left or right as well as up or down (closer or further from the strings).

Earthworks PianoMic System Features:
  • Frequency Response: 9Hz - 40kHz
  • Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional (random incidence)
  • Sensitivity: 15mV/Pa (-36 dBV/Pa)
  • Power requirements: 48V Phantom, 10mA
  • Peak Acoustic Output: 148 dB SPL
  • Output: XLR-3 (pin 2+)
  • Min. Output Load: 600 ohms between pins 2 & 3
  • Noise: 22dBA
  • Mic Gooseneck Length: 4.875" (12cm)
  • Dimensions: 64" fully extended, 46" fully collapsed

Earthworks PianoMic System - A better way to record piano!
Specification Detail
Microphone Type Condenser
Polar Pattern Omni
Frequency Response 9Hz-40kHz
Max SPL 148dB SPL
Output Impedance 100 ohms
Self Noise 22dB (A weighted)
Color Black
Connector XLR
Weight .75 lb.
Manufacturer Part Number PM40

Piano Mic System Image Gallery

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Sweetwater's friendly and knowledgeable Sales Engineers are regarded as the most experienced and educated professionals in the music industry, with extensive music backgrounds and intense training on the latest products and technologies. As your personal contact here at Sweetwater, they are available to provide personalized advice any time you need it.
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Reviews

based on 2 reviews

Thrilled with the tone

by Michael from North Carolina, United States of America
February 28, 2012
Music Background: Technical Director
Ordered this mic to replace a pair of Shure SM-81's in a Yamaha Grand. The difference in audio quality was simply amazing, After using this mic in the piano, I simply cannot imagine using any other mi... read more [+]c. close [-]

Excellent PIano Mic Solution

by NWJazz from Seattle
May 9, 2008
Music Background: Jazz musician with project studio
This really worked just as advertised. I keep this set up in the piano, so it's very easy to record at any time. The sound quality is excellent. With the case closed, the amount of isolation is extr... read more [+]emely good. You need to fiddle around with fine-tuning the placement of the mics, but once you get the sweet spots, the results are terrific. close [-]

Sweetwater Advice

Ron Daniel
I was stunned when I first heard the Earthworks PianoMic system! The setup is a no-brainer, and it's nearly impossible to get anything but a true and beautifully even tone across the entire keyboard. No high-end studio or professional pianist should be without one!
Joseph Secu
This mic system is amazing! It's the best sounding set of mics for piano recording I've ever heard. The recording sounded exactly like the piano did live. If you have a recording studio or you have a piano that needs to be mic-ed, this is the ultimate sollution.

Best customer service I've ever encountered. My guitar arrived ahead of the date it was supposed to, in flawless condition. Played well right out of the box. I will be buying all of my gear from you, from here on out. You made me feel like I was ordering a custom guitar, just for me. I was treated like a valuable customer.


Christopher , Savannah, GA

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See Also: Condenser Mics , Earthworks , Earthworks Condenser Microphones , Earthworks Condenser Microphones

Earthworks Piano Mic System

Today's Payment: $1,676.00
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