How you record piano depends on what you are playing. A digital piano or keyboard records cleanest over MIDI or a direct line connection, while an acoustic piano needs microphones and a quiet room. Knowing how to record piano well comes down to choosing the right path and capturing a clean stereo image.
This guide covers digital pianos, MIDI, and miking an acoustic upright or grand, plus the level and placement tips that keep your recordings clear and natural.
Recording a digital piano or keyboard
If your instrument is digital, you have two clean options that skip microphones entirely.
- Audio out: run a stereo line out from the keyboard into your interface’s line inputs. You capture the keyboard’s own sounds exactly as they are.
- USB / MIDI: connect over USB and record MIDI into your DAW. MIDI stores the performance as note data, so you can change the piano sound, fix wrong notes, and edit timing after the fact.
For audio out, set the keyboard volume sensibly and use the line input on your interface. If you need a refresher on connections and gain, our guide on how to set up an audio interface walks through it.
Why MIDI is the most flexible choice
Recording MIDI separates the performance from the sound. You can swap a basic onboard piano for a high-quality software instrument, quantise timing, adjust velocity, and re-render at higher quality later. The catch is latency: if there is a delay between pressing a key and hearing it, your timing suffers. Keep your buffer low and read our explainer on audio latency to set it up properly.
Miking an acoustic upright piano
An upright is the trickiest to record because the room and the piano’s back panel both colour the sound. A reliable starting point is a stereo pair of small-diaphragm condensers over the open top, one toward the bass strings and one toward the treble.
You can also remove the front panel and place mics near the hammers for a more present, attack-heavy sound. Experiment with distance: closer mics give detail and bite, while pulling back captures more body and room.
Miking an acoustic grand piano
A grand gives you room to work. A spaced or XY pair of condensers inside the lid, roughly over the bass and treble strings, captures a balanced stereo image. Raise or lower the lid and move the mics to balance attack against warmth. For a more distant, classical sound, place a pair further back in a good-sounding room.
Condensers suit piano because of their detail and extended high end. If you are weighing mic types, see large-diaphragm vs small-diaphragm condensers and our overview of condenser vs dynamic microphones.
Levels, stereo and the room
Piano has a wide dynamic range, so set conservative input levels and leave headroom for loud passages — our gain staging guide explains the targets. Keep your stereo pair consistent in distance to avoid phase issues, and treat the room if reflections muddy the sound; acoustic treatment helps any miked acoustic instrument. For more techniques, browse the recording techniques hub.
Frequently asked questions
Should I record a digital piano with MIDI or audio?
Record MIDI if you want to edit notes, timing, and swap sounds later, and you have a software instrument you prefer. Record audio out if you like the keyboard’s built-in sounds and want to commit to them with no latency concerns.
How many microphones do I need to record an acoustic piano?
Two is the standard, giving you a stereo image — one mic toward the bass strings and one toward the treble. You can record usable mono piano with a single well-placed mic, but stereo sounds noticeably wider and more natural.
What microphones are best for recording piano?
Condenser microphones suit piano because of their detail and extended high frequencies. Small-diaphragm condensers in a matched pair are a common, reliable choice; large-diaphragm condensers work too and tend to sound a touch warmer.
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