Can budget microphones really compete with high-end microphones when recording piano?
In this piano microphone test, I compare two omnidirectional condenser microphones at very different price points to see how they perform on a real acoustic piano in a real-world recording environment.
The test took place in a pretty special location — the John Lennon Suite at the Hard Day’s Night Hotel in Liverpool, complete with a beautiful white baby grand piano. This was a great opportunity to put a pair of microphones to the test and let you hear the results for yourself.
👉 Watch the full piano microphone test video here:
https://youtu.be/UiaxBd_O4ME
The Piano Microphone Setup
For this test, I used two pairs of omnidirectional microphones, both well suited to capturing the full frequency range and natural resonance of an acoustic piano.
1. Sennheiser MKH 8020 (Professional Omnidirectional Microphones)
The first microphones in the test were the Sennheiser MKH 8020s, which are widely regarded as high-end, professional omnidirectional condenser microphones.
They’re known for:
- Extremely low self-noise
- A very flat and neutral frequency response
- Excellent low-frequency extension
- High build quality and consistency
These microphones are often used for classical music, orchestral recording, and high-end studio work.
2. Clippy EM272 (Budget Omnidirectional Microphones)
The second microphones were the Clippy EM272 omnidirectional microphones, available from MicBooster.
Despite being very affordable, these microphones have developed a strong reputation for:
- Recording quiet and detailed sounds
- Low noise levels for their size and price
- A slightly brighter, more characterful tone
I’ve personally used the EM272s extensively for field recording and capturing natural ambience, which they excel at.
The Piano Microphone Test (What You’re Hearing)
A quick disclaimer before we go any further:
I’m not a pianist, so please excuse the rudimentary playing! The goal here isn’t performance — it’s about how each microphone captures the tone, balance, and character of the piano.
Both microphone pairs were positioned to capture a natural, balanced sound of the baby grand piano, allowing you to clearly hear the differences between the two.
Sound Comparison: Sennheiser MKH 8020 vs Clippy EM272
Sennheiser MKH 8020 – Clean, Balanced, and Neutral
The Sennheiser MKH 8020s sound exactly as you’d expect from a premium microphone:
- Very even and balanced across the frequency range
- A smooth, warm low end without being exaggerated
- Highly neutral and transparent, with little added character
These microphones are excellent if you want an accurate, “what you hear is what you get” representation of the piano.
Clippy EM272 – Brighter with More Character
The Clippy EM272 microphones, while far cheaper, hold up surprisingly well:
- Slightly brighter overall tone
- More character and presence compared to the Sennheisers
- Excellent detail, especially at lower volumes
They may not be ideal for very loud sources, but on this piano they absolutely hold their own against the more expensive microphones.
In fact, if you prefer a piano sound with a bit more personality rather than total neutrality, you might actually lean towards the EM272s.
Can Budget Microphones Compete for Piano Recording?
Short answer: yes — in the right context.
While the Sennheiser MKH 8020s are undeniably high-quality microphones, the Clippy EM272s prove that you don’t always need to spend thousands to get excellent results when recording piano.
For:
- Home studios
- Budget-conscious musicians
- Sampling projects
- Field and ambient recording
…the EM272s are an impressive option.
Free Piano Kontakt Instrument (Sampled from This Recording)
As part of this project, I also sampled the piano used in the video and created a free Kontakt instrument called “Imagine Piano.”
You can download it completely free by signing up to my mailing list at:
👉 https://thehomerecordingstudio.com
There’s also a follow-up video where I walk through the sampled instrument and explain the microphones used — and in that context, I actually found myself preferring the Clippy EM272s for the sampled piano.
Final Thoughts
This piano microphone test shows that:
- High-end microphones deliver consistency and neutrality
- Budget microphones can still sound fantastic and musical
- The “best” microphone often comes down to character and context, not price
If you’re recording piano at home and wondering whether budget microphones are worth considering, this test should give you some confidence to experiment.
If you found this useful, make sure to:
- Watch the full video
- Download the free piano instrument
- Check out more recording tutorials on The Home Recording Studio
Thanks for reading — and I’ll see you in the next post 🎹🎙️
PS. Remember, you can download a free version of my ‘Imagine Piano’ Kontakt instrument, which I created after sampling the piano in the video. Click Here to find out more.