How to record digital piano on pc, using virtual instruments?

[touch_master]

I have Korg sp-250 digital piano, its has midi,audio in/out and 2x headphones.

I want to connect digital piano with PC and record myself with programs that have virtual instruments. Pianos, strings, drums, pads, etc... But for the most, I want to record piano (classical compositions). But, to have good quality sound, high mp3, wav,...with all effect, reverb, chorus, stereo, and so on? To be on lower scale of good quality.

So I need guide from start:

-what low budget PC I need,

- what low budget, lower line of good sound card,

-what program

-how to connect digital piano with PC,...

-it would be great if you can also recommend some low budget speaker, active.

???

Please.

 

[gcolbert]

To connect the piano to the computer you will need a MIDI to USB converter. It has MIDI plugs on one set of cables and a USB port on another.

To capture your playing in the computer you will want a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). This will act kind-of like a tape recorder to capture and replay your performance.

If you want to re-voice your recorded performance (change instruments) you will need a DAW that can have add-on instruments (Sonar, Cubase, Studio One, Reaper, etc.). I usually recommend Sonar's 'Music Creator 6' for beginners, but this will require a computer that runs Windows 7 or 8.

Unfortunately, the sound components in computers tend to not work very well for music production. You will want an Audio Interface (AI) to turn the digital sound into audio. you will then need some kind of audio amplifier (do you have a stereo with RCA input for AUX?).

Specific recommendations depend on what you mean by low budget and where (what country) you are. It is conceivable that an older XP computer would work for you, but it will lock you into outdated technology and may limit some of your other options.

Glen

 

[ecc83]

I have Korg sp-250 digital piano, its has midi,audio in/out and 2x headphones.

I want to connect digital piano with PC and record myself with programs that have virtual instruments. Pianos, strings, drums, pads, etc... But for the most, I want to record piano (classical compositions). But, to have good quality sound, high mp3, wav,...with all effect, reverb, chorus, stereo, and so on? To be on lower scale of good quality.

So I need guide from start:

-what low budget PC I need,

- what low budget, lower line of good sound card,

-what program

-how to connect digital piano with PC,...

-it would be great if you can also recommend some low budget speaker, active.

???

Please.

Phew! Don't want much then?! Good quality, low cost! Ok, let's see what we can do...First thing you need is an Audio Interface* and the cheapest you will get new, of any decent quality IMHO is the Steinberg UR22. Here it is around £100 and if that is too expensive then you have to face the fact that you can't really do this with any great success.

But there is an additional problem and its name is "Latency". Playing keys into a PC (via the MIDI ports on the UR22) will result in some delay in hearing the sound. With a good interface this can be virtually undetectable. Now the UR22 is said to be pretty good but I do not know HOW good. One interface that I am sure would be fine is the Native Instruments KA6 but that is closer to £200. BLOODY good mind!

*If your present computer has a spare PCI slot you could look for an M-Audio 2496 sound card. This would give you the lowest latency at the lowest cost (but no better than the KA6) of about £60 or even cheaper. You could also look for an M-Audio Fast track pro usb AI, pretty old but pretty quick.

At this stage I would not worry about a new PC, if yours is under 5years old, running XP or later and has 2G or so of memory it will do (with some tweaking!) to start with.

Using a PCI sound card brings another problem. Inputs, outputs and monitor control, this is sorted by a small mixer and the Behringer Xenyx 802 or similar will work fine (N.B! I would NOT be suggesting a PCI card+mixer except that this poster needs low latency and low cost!) .

Monitors? Minefield! I have Tannoy 5As and love 'em. The Rokets seem to get a good rep.

Software: The UR22 and KA6 come with Cubase, nothing better for low latency MIDI. For a really good piano sound try the demo from Modartt Pianoteq.

You need to be thinking £300-400 to do this well, not "cutting edge" but well.

Dave.