How do I record an electric keyboard with my pc?

  • Thread starter Thread starter timandjes
  • Start date Start date
T

timandjes

New member
I used to use a Tascam 4-track cassette recorder and when recording my Casio electric keyboard running an instrument cable into a direct box, then into the Tascam, I had to lower the bass eq on the initial track. Otherwise, the bass was overbearing, even if recorded flat. Over time, I got to where I could consistently record a good sound with my cassette setup.

Now, I'm new into PC recording w/Ntrack. I want to see if I can avoid some trial and error up front by asking some questions about how to record the keyboard with my computer. I've obviously got a few things to learn about the differences between analog & digital recording because it's pretty clear to me now that I shouldn't record as hot w/digital as I did w/analog... I got some good responses from a previous post but I'm still a little confused about where I want to see my recording view meter to know I'm getting a good, non-distorted track recording in my pc. Are there any guidelines?

Also, suspecting that my Casio keyboard is a little bass-heavy within itself, I guess I'd just lower the bass eq in NTrack on the inital record like I did with cassette? Is a pre-amp advisable for electric instruments? I can't imagine needing to amplify the signal anymore but would it somehow give me a better track?
 
I use N-Track and a Delta 44. All I do is plug my keyboards (Korg 01/W FD and a General Music Pro 1) into a line in on the Delta. I play as hard as I think I'll need to and then I set the keyboard volume so the N-Track recording meter never clips. I then record. Not sure what soundcard you have, but the Delta lets you set the input sensitivity (I think that's the word?) to either -10 (very consumer) Consumer (more consumer!) and +4 (Pro). I believe I use the middle setting for my keyboards and then +4 for my preamp (Great River MP2).
Remember - the cleanest signal path is usually the best, so try to go right from keyboard to soundcard.
Good luck!
 
Let me guess

Your Casio is one of those keyboards with built in speakers, right?

And there's no real "output" jack on it, so you use the headphones jack to send your signal to the computer, isn't that so?

Carl
 
Thanks for the input. So gordone, by going straight from the keyboard to the sound card, should I not run the signal through the direct box & the mixer first?

Carl, the keyboard belongs to the keyboard player in my band. I don't know much about it but it's a Casio CPS-80s. It's got a left & right 1/4" out. It does have built in speakers but I'm using a Y-connector & an instrument cable instead of micing the speakers.
 
Using a Y connector is a mistake. You're introducing phase cancellation. I'm sure that the left output has the word "mono" written over or under it. Use that if you only want to record it on one track. Otherwise, record both channels onto two track and take advantage of the stereo output of the keyboard.

Carl
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top