Piano Recital

Capture that first recital with great sound and a realistic sense of space

You'll want to keep a record of your child's first piano recital or other performance. Here's a convenient way to capture high-quality video and sound that doesn't involve cumbersome or costly equipment. For this example an ECM-XYST1M Stereo Microphone is mounted on a Sony camera. Ideally you'll want to mount the camera on a tripod. You could shoot handheld while moving around, but that would result in a shifting audio perspective and possibly erratic imagery as well. A center seat on an aisle where you can set up your tripod would be ideal. If sufficient space is not available, the next best approach might be to use a monopod, or shoot handheld while remaining seated. Get there early and discuss your plans with the organizers, especially if you're going to use a tripod.

Tech Note

Selectable Pickup Angle

The ECM-XYST1M Stereo Microphone can be set for either 0° or 120° pickup. Since the source in this example is a single musical instrument you could use the 0° setting if the room is very noisy and you want to record more of the desired sound while minimizing the ambient noise, but we recommend using the 120° setting in a hall or similar room that is designed for music performance, because it will give you a bigger, deeper stereo image that will more effectively support and enhance the visual images.

Recommended tripod/monopod

Remote Control Tripod
VCT-VPR10
Remote Control Tripod
VCT-VPR1
Multipod
VCT-MP1
Shooting Grip With Mini Tripod
GP-VPT1

Bodies Compatible with the ECM-XYST1M Stereo Microphone
Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera E-mount	α7R (ILCE-7R)	✓
	α7R II (ILCE-7RM2)	✓
	α7 (ILCE-7)	✓
	α7 II (ILCE-7M2)	✓
	α7S (ILCE-7S)	✓^*1
	α6000 (ILCE-6000)	✓
	α3500J (ILCE-3500J)	✓
	α3000 (ILCE-3000)	✓
Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera A-mount	α99 (SLT-A99)	✓
	α77 II (ILCA-77M2)	✓
	α58 (SLT-A58)	✓
Digital Video Camera Recorder Handycam®	FDR-AX100/100E	✓
	FDR-AX30/33	✓
	FDR-AXP33/35	✓
	HDR-CX900/900E	✓
	HDR-CX530/535/610/620/670	✓
	HDR-PJ530/540/610/620/670/ 800/810/820/820E	✓
	NEX-VG30/30E/30H/30EH	✓
	NEX-VG900/900E	✓
Digital Still Camera Cyber-shot	DSC-RX1R	✓
	DSC-RX1	–
	DSC-RX10	✓
	DSC-RX10 II	✓
	DSC-RX100 II	✓
	DSC-HX400/400V	✓
	DSC-HX60/60V	✓^*2

*1: Noise may be recorded when you use zoom during movie recording, depending on the lens.
*2: Cannot use the memory card of UHS-I standard when this microphone is attached, because the noise is recorded.

http://www.sony.net/Products/diacc/compatibilities/microphone