I do my recording on a MacBook Pro and did not want to spend money on a mixer (audio interface). I did however need an external microphone and acquired an audio-technica AT2020usb condenser mic. The audio interface is built into this mic so all that is needed is to plug its usb into the laptop. Your Macbook Pro is likely to have QuickTimePlayer and GarageBand software which can be used to store the recording or you can download Audacity if not already done so.

I don't have an external webcam. I guess a larger tripod stand would be beneficial if the mic can be left permanently standing.

Pallas Hi Pallas,

I embarked on a similar journey recently, and ended up spending about $400 for not-a-bad setup. I got a Zoom F3 32bit field recorder, and paired set of cheap Behringer C-2 condenser mics, and a handheld mini-tripod to make a very compact portable setup. I can set it up anywhere in or near the piano, and can reposition the mics as needed for any variety of XY/AB patterns:

The tiny Behenrgers mics come with a stereo bar and mount, and also a plastic carrying case that fits EVERYTHING too, for easy storage:

Sound-wise, it's a step up over recording with the iphone, the Apple camera app will compress everything and try to auto-equalize the gain. The recorder is much more true to the sound coming from the piano, and imo much more sensitive as well.

And I know my equipment is already overkill in relation to my inexperience with recording. People are getting far better results with less - This Japanese youtube channel has multiple comparisons of piano/mic/recorder combos, and he gets some phenomenal recordings just by laying a Zoom H6 down on the plate: (that's an older, integrated handheld recorder that has built-in mics and costs <$200).

Good luck!

    Have you looked at YouTube players who have a setup that they're using for audio and video? Some of them may have videos that talk a little bit about the kinds of things you're wanting to know.

    This is just an example, and he does talk about the microphones he uses. I don't recall if he gets into video.

    I've had good results with my Zoom H4n recorder. I believe the recent version of this is called the H4essential ($200):

    https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/H4E--zoom-h4essential-portable-recorder

    I've used just the built-in stereo condenser mics to good effect, but it also has two inputs for mics that you can use instead of OR in addition to the built-in mics. You can then import the digital file into your Macbook and use the free Garage Band for mixing and editing.

    If you decide to want mics over and above the built-ins, companies such as Shure and AKG make some very good quality but affordable mics that would be more than enough for anyone other than the professionals. You could try a pair of small diaphragm condenser mics such as the AKG P170 (I see them online for about $90 each), or a large diaphragm condenser mic such as the AKG P220 ($130) depending on your particular application and taste (YouTube has lots of reviews and examples of miking pianos that you could browse to help you decide). If you want to capture the very low frequencies, you might add a kick drum mic such as the Shure PGA52 ($120) and mic the lower string side of the piano nice and close.

    As far as video, I'm not as sure. I stick with my cellphone, which seems decent enough, at least when I remember to record on high quality settings. If you prefer a dedicated video recorder (as it sounds like you do), then I have no recommendations, other than to suggest you probably don't need to spend a ton; even the affordable stuff is pretty good these days.

    Lastly, you might want to consider some soft box photography lights, which will help you capture some better video without weird shadows and such. You can pick up a cheap pair on Amazon for under $100.

    Good luck!

    P.S.: No need for a separate mixer. The Zoom recorder lets you select levels and has some built-in effects and other tools such as peak limiting. Then you'd just mix in Garage Band.

    Enthusiastic but mediocre amateur.

    Pallas I feel exactly the same way. I used to set up and tear down because I didn't want things in the way, but then it would be hard to motivate myself to set up ... More and more I'm just leaving things set up and plugged in so I can just sit and play without having to do more than throw a couple of switches.

    Enthusiastic but mediocre amateur.

      I Like things simple. And I'm a practical kind of fellow. So, why not try using what you already have? Your MacBook has a decent mike and can record your piano right into GarageBand where you can "clean it up", or make tonal adjustments, then save as an audio file, export, etc. Also, if you have an iPhone, that might even be easier to record the audio/video with an expensive stand or holder, then airdrop it to your MacBook for playing with in GarageBand.

      If, after actually making a recording with either your MacBook or iPhone, you are unhappy with the results, call Sweetwater, ask to speak with someone about recording your piano. They do this kind of thing all the time. And you can return whatever you buy with no hassle.

      Pallas I don't have an acoustic piano. But when I researched recording for acoustic, I came to same conclusion as @Gombessa the small-diaphragm condenser microphone is best suited to record piano, and the Behringer C-2 set is a really good option.

      Since this is for a semi-permanent in-home setup, I would recommend skip the portable recorders, and record directly into your computer. You will have a larger screen, better interface to adjust settings, live preview, and ability to instantly review the recordings.

      The equipment you need to connect your microphone to your computer is a USB Audio Interface. The most popular one is Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. A less expensive alternative, which I have, is Behringer UMC202HD. You don't need a mixer, the mixing can be done via software on your computer. But if for any other reason you are looking for a mixer that can also work as USB audio interface, then I strongly recommend Yamaha AG06.

      As for software, my first recommendation is to use OBS Studio. It can record multiple audio and video streams. You have a lot of flexibility with video composite layout, and even the ability to add overlays (images, live clock, etc). Multiple audio tracks can be mixed into single track, and/or saved to individual audio tracks. Although most video players on PC/Mac can only playback audio track 1, you can extract the additional audio tracks using editing software.

      For audio editing, Audacity seems to be everyone's go to tool. It's free and it's really good. Or you can use Adobe Audition. Adobe Premiere is a good video editing tool. l learned it first. However, there is an alternative, Davinci Resolve, that worth considering, too. Davinci Resolve is like Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effect, and Adobe Audition rolled into one software, with a more user friendly interface. Since I started using Davinci Resolve, I have not touched Adobe Premiere for a long time.

      Oh, cameras. Try some good webcams first. They have come a long way from the old days. They even come in 4K resolution nowadays, which gives you freedom to crop the footage later in editing. If your lighting is good, webcam can produce perfectly adequate image quality. I have some Logitech 920/930, and an Elgato Facecam. And I have not felt any need to switch them to my digital cameras (which I have several). The hassle with cameras is you need to figure out how to power them for a permanent setup, while not killing their batteries (by charging them all the time). Also larger cameras need stronger support, which makes them harder to place for higher angle shots. Web cams are so light, you can put them on microphone stands, or articulating arms (using mini ball head) - all much cheaper than camera tripods. At least consider webcams for your 2nd or 3rd angle shots. For your main angle, if you choose to use a DSLR or mirrorless, look up your camera manufacture's website and see if they have released a software that allows connecting the camera as a webcam (live camera) to your computer. This way, your camera can feed to video to OBS Studio, too.

        Regarding videos, do you also want a semi-permanent setup with those? If so, I agree with @iternabe that webcams are probably the right way to go. But most people have a recent iphone or Android phone, and anything from the last 5 years will take HD/4K video that will blow any webcam or laptop cam out the water. I was pretty floored by the quality of videos out of my iPhone 15. All this to say that it's fairly easy to get a tripod mount into place and leave it be, and when you need you can just snap your phone into place and use it to take the video!

        Pallas One major decision you need to make is what type of microphone to go with: USB or XLR.

        Microphones capture sound in analog signal (voltage) via voice coil or diaphragm. That analog signal needs to be converted to digital signal for computers to accept.

        Microphones that uses XLR connector, which is the standard for pro audio, can only output analog signal. You will need an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), like an USB audio interface or a mixer with USB interface between XLR mic and your computer. That is an extra equipment to lug around.

        USB microphone solves this portability hassle by having an ADC built-in to the microphone body, and plug directly into your computer's USB port. The downside is the need for compromise between audio quality and price. Early USB microphones are known for inferior sound quality. That has improved a lot over the years, and now there are affordable high quality USB microphones that recommended by pros.

        But, the portability benefit only really helps if you only intend to use a single microphone. For multi-mic setup, you at least need a USB hub (because limited USB ports on laptop). Plus the cost saving of having ADC built-in to the mic becomes a cost redundancy with multiple mics. With XLR mics, you pay for a single external USB audio interface once. Upgrading XLR mics is also more effective because without the additional built-in circuit, equality XLR mics are cheaper. In addition, XLR mic being the long time standard in audio industry, it comes in many shapes and forms for all type of recording need. USB mic originated mostly for online content creators, so the majority of them are desktop mics with cardiod pattern for voice recordings.

        One more benefit going with an USB audio interface is it becomes a hub of all audio connections: mic inputs, other instruments inputs, headphone, studio monitor/speakers. And of course your computer, which can then be attached/detached to the whole setup with a single USB cable.

            iternabe One major decision you need to make is what type of microphone to go with: USB or XLR.

            +1 to all of this above.

            I've also heard some VERY good recordings with USB mics recently, from options such as the Yeti Blue. To my ears, they seem more than up to the task for non-professional work, and are well worth considering. XLRs are the industry gold standard, but they're bulkier and more complex, have to consider run length, phantom power settings, etc. Not a deal-breaker, but for a K.I.S.S. approach, starting with some good USB mics isn't a bad idea imho.

                Gombessa Good point on phantom power. Condenser mic, which generally has better sensitivity and dynamic range, usually require phantom power. Not only you need to get an audio interface that can supply phantom power (Focusrite 2i2 and Behringer UMC202HD both do), but you also need to pay attention to the procedure of connecting the mics to avoid damaging them.

                The correct sequence, IIRC, is to turn down the gain, turn off phantom power, connect the mic, turn on the phantom power, then adjust gain. To disconnect, do the reverse: turn down gain, turn off phantom power, wait a bit, then disconnect the mic.

                  Pallas Thanks for this video.

                  What I do is more like what she does with her Behringer mixer, except I'm going it all on the Zoom and then just moving the file to the computer (via the Zoom's SD card). Then I mix, add the video, etc., just like she does.

                  What I couldn't tell was whether running the mics directly to the iPhone (via the Focusrite) allows for any mixing options after. There's the convenience of the audio being attached to the video already, but does it result in single mono audio, or does the iPhone capture the two mics (via the Focusrite) as two mono audio tracks or a single stereo track?

                  I suppose if you do a lot of trial and error and find a sound that you like without having to edit, mix, master, etc., then it's a moot point, but I always like the option of messing around with the audio, especially the levels between the two (or more) mics. Thus my Zoom.

                  EDIT: I keep forgetting that the Zoom has its own built in interface, so it can plug directly into a phone, laptop, etc. I haven't really experimented with it much yet, but I need to answer my own question above about a Zoom + phone combo.

                  Enthusiastic but mediocre amateur.

                      TC3 I have used the zoom connected directly to my phone/iPad - it records in stereo but there are no controls on the zoom that will work to modify the sound. That said, the sound came out very nice on my video. I don't do a lot of processing after recording anyway so that part doesn't matter to me that much....

                        I have a Zoom h4n, along with focusrite and presonus preamps, Audio Technica and SE electronics mics (among others). For less than $1000, I'd skip the Zoom, unless you plan to do field recording, which is what I use mine for. My suggestion is a 4 input preamp (Behringer, Focusrite, Presonus, etc) along with a pair of small diaphragm condensers (spend the money here) like my SE8's, and a pair of large diaphragm condensers (spend less money here) like AT2020's. Don't get me wrong, Zoom makes great products, its just that you'd be stuck with the mics that come with it (other than the two inputs)

                          dore_m By 4 input preamp you mean 4 XLR inputs (as opposed to 2 XLR + 2 Line input), right? Like Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 or Behringer UC404HD?

                            dore_m I use the Zoom H4n with it's built in mics plus I added two Rhode N5's. The sound is not bad, but then no one ever really sees the video except for me - I use it to watch what I'm doing in order to improve....

                              @iternabe that's right. 4 XLR inputs. For me, in retrospect, the audio interfaces at this level are pretty similar in quality - I'd spend the money on the Mics. Audio processing tools are very sophisticated nowadays - you just need a low noise preamp, and I think most offerings are similar. I did buy a used Tascam and a used Zoom H4n before settling on a Zoom H4n Pro. The former two were crazy noisy. Check the noise specs before purchasing, but I think most new stuff nowadays is fairly decent, especially if they are usb interfaces, and not dedicated "handy" recorders.

                                @danno858 are you sure it's not a H4n pro? Rode NT5's are probably pretty good I bet.

                                  dore_m yes, I have heard about noise floor in handheld field recorders being too high, too. TASCAM seems to be the worst. The best is the bigger SONY but it’s crazy expensive.