NT5

Thanks all , helpful input. I’ve since sanity-checked this and I’ve pivoted away from stage dynamics and moving towards a small-diaphragm condenser, mounted overhead; Cardioid SDC, like sE Electronics sE8, or the Rode NT5 At that distance it gives me a natural tone without cranking gain, and I can exploit the rear null by aiming it into the corner/window area.

I've owned 3 rode mic, the nt5, nt55, nt1, rode NTK. I didnt like any of them. I even made a comparison video. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl9q0w8VO90](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl9q0w8VO90) I recommend ditching condenser mics like rode mics, as they're specialist mics, and they have a tendency to be molded completely by the preamp's tone... means shitty preamp... shitty mic sound. After a long time, I think dynamic mics have a real bonus to them is that you can use them on anything vocals or acoustic guitar. They are cheaper than condenser mics and they are transformer based which means you don't get something that is shrill and full of sibilance. It also retains its own sound regardless of the preamp you use. their 1 minus point is that they need a lot of gain to drive, so puny interface preamp just wont cut it but that can be fixed with an in line mic preamp like triton fethead. this is my 2 cents. i strongly recommend steering clear of condenser mics in the beginning part of recording, they are mostly suitable for specialist situations, exact mic placements and very crucial high quality preamp pairing. if you have to go with rode, the nt5 was my favorite.

It sounds like you only have 1 mic/1 input available at any given time. The part I don't like about that is that you might be missing out on the possibility of a stereo image on the piano. If you were to ask me(and probably ONLY me), I'd say 2 of those Beta 58s or even the Beta 87s would be just fine on a piano, BUT YES... it WOULD pick up a lot of the clack and clunk from the keys.... however, some people like that. Even if you only had 1 mic for the piano, those Betas sound pretty good. If you are looking for an upgrade on mics that will give you a studio sound with less "condenser" sensitivity, I would recommend Ribbon Mics like the sE Electronics X1R. These mics are not too expensive at all, and they sound like a dream (especially for how inexpensive they are). However, they are definitely not as "bright" as a condenser mic. The other thing I'd say is that even a standard SM58 sounds decent for vocals in a studio setting, however if it is true that you only have the one input, then regardless of mic choice; I'd recommend recording the piano first AND THEN the vocals. I certainly would not recommend using a single mic to record both the vocals AND the piano at the same time. As for the other mics you mentioned... The SM7b is AWESOME on female vocals, but it IS pretty pricey even for how good it sounds(at least in my opinion) and the Rode NT1 is simply a horrible choice all together. I'd rather one of the Betas on a piano before the NT1. You'd definitely be better off with a Ribbon mic (or 2, since you should be going for stereo image anyway) OR even an NT5 before that NT1. In any case.... Those fluid performances CAN still be recorded independently from each other, especially if you are like me because I cannot fathom doing an entire performance without a click for at least the main portion of it.

KM 184. I have borrowed some a couple times, everything I put them next to that is a fraction of the price on acoustic string instruments sounds better. Even the Rode NT5 but especially the Miktek C5.

Did you compare them side by side with others? You'll see that those numbers are totally unreal. Even the Rodes NT5 or M5 have lower self noise