Recording keyboards direct

[aml4]

Is there a good way to record keyboards directly into the computer or does micing it always sound better?

[scrubs]

It depends on the keyboard, the room, your mic/preamp collection, etc. I record from the headphone out of my electric piano, as its built-in speakers are just o.k.

[Hugo H]

I never record my keyboards with a mic; I always go directly into my computer. Any sound effects you want, like reverb, can always be added later.

[Dags]

Originally Posted by aml4

Is there a good way to record keyboards directly into the computer or does micing it always sound better?

The outputs on the synth are already at 'line' level so there's no need to mic it up. Depending on the quality of the soundcard, the cables used and, indeed, the synth itself, the signal will probably be more 'direct' and noise free by recording it straight from the outs of the synth into the soundcard.

[crosstudio]

i have never recorded a keyboard any other way but direct.

[Ford Van]

Originally Posted by crosstudio

i have never recorded a keyboard any other way but direct.

Are you kidding? Man, I got some great funk stuff where the Rhodes is playing thru Marshall amps, and digital synths thru a Fender DeVille. Cool stuff.

Playing the keys thru a guitar amp can really help focus the sound a lot.

[c7sus]

I'd put a decent preamp between most synths and a soundcard.

Wish I had a Leslie to mic.

[Alexbt]

I think it really depends what kind of patch you're recording.

I would probably go direct for pianos, but amped for Rhodes. I'm on the fence for electronic noises!

[c7sus]

My Voyager sounds less distorted through a Davisound instrument amp. I back off the Voyagers' outs and get some pretty clean tones. I think the low end sounds tighter too.

My other synth is a JV1010. The output on that is really lacking. It NEEDS amplification before media. I try not to turn it up much past halfway and use a line amp for more gain because the Roland gain sounds harsh IMHO.

What I would really like to hear is a Voyager through a GR MP2-NV.

[aml4]

Originally Posted by c7sus

I'd put a decent preamp between most synths and a soundcard.

Wish I had a Leslie to mic.

Does my soundcard effect how it sounds? Everybody else tells me to mic it if it doesnt sound good direct

[Dags]

Originally Posted by aml4

Does my soundcard effect how it sounds? Everybody else tells me to mic it if it doesnt sound good direct

If the soundcard isn't built for high quality audio recording, there's nothing that's really going to fix the sound to any large degree.
Using a mic and decent preamp will enable you to raise the level to overcome any inherent noise in the soundcard (hopefully) but if the converters aren't up to scratch you may get popping, buzzing and crackling noise in the audio.

General rule of thumb; the soundcard that comes with most PCs (and probably Macs as well) aren't suitable for high quality audio recording.
Dags

[aml4]

Originally Posted by Dags

If the soundcard isn't built for high quality audio recording, there's nothing that's really going to fix the sound to any large degree.
Using a mic and decent preamp will enable you to raise the level to overcome any inherent noise in the soundcard (hopefully) but if the converters aren't up to scratch you may get popping, buzzing and crackling noise in the audio.

General rule of thumb; the soundcard that comes with most PCs (and probably Macs as well) aren't suitable for high quality audio recording.
Dags

Whats a good sondcard for high quality recording?
All I have is the one that came with my PC...

[noisewreck]

I almost always record direct. Although, sometimes it sounds good to put synths (specially VA) through something like a MotionSound amp.

[SKYflyer]

Originally Posted by c7sus

I'd put a decent preamp between most synths and a soundcard.

Wish I had a Leslie to mic.

why do you put the keys thru a preamp before going into your soundcard?

isn't the output of a keyboard already at line level, and a preamp brings signals to line level, so what is the point?

Does it just give it some added character/flavoring of the preamp that you use, so that the keyboard will maybe sound slightly different?

[fraserhutch]

Originally Posted by SKYflyer

why do you put the keys thru a preamp before going into your soundcard?

isn't the output of a keyboard already at line level, and a preamp brings signals to line level, so what is the point?

Does it just give it some added character/flavoring of the preamp that you use, so that the keyboard will maybe sound slightly different?

I do it on occasion to impart the colour (hate that term) of the preamp onto the keyboard.

It really only makes sense if you;re using a coloured preamp, imho.

[Dags]

Originally Posted by aml4

Whats a good sondcard for high quality recording?
All I have is the one that came with my PC...

Hey there aml4.

I don't know what products are available in your local store, but try looking at M-Audio and Echo for starters. Their 2in/2out PCI-based cards are fairly cheap and from user reviews seem to be all they are cracked up to be.
I believe Emu still make a fairly decent card too, I read that someone had purchased one on another thread somewhere in one of these forums.
Other people on the forum will have knowledge about other products, I am sure.

Have a think about things like how many inputs you will ultimately need if you are going to expand your studio at some stage and maybe aim to get something that can suit your future purposes.
Mind you, the gear isn't all that expensive, so even if you buy to suit your current needs, hone your craft over the next couple of years and buy a bigger interface later, you won't really be losing anything.

Good luck, and have fun!
Dags