Question re: audio recording quality

[mitya]

Hi all

I finally cracked the problem of converting midi to audio tracks in Cubase, but I notice the quality isn't an exact replica. I changed my record settings in my 'surround mixer' to Midi Synth. I also changed it to MP3, which successfully recorded any MP3 I played, but messed up the sound, for example the drums were far too loud on the track etc. Why is this?

If I convert my midi to audio in the more proper fashion, i.e. via an audio cable from my piano to my line-in, will this be better quality and a more accurate recording?

Lastly, what would I have done without the surround mixer to change the record settings in this way? Do all soundcards come with equivalent software to allow you to change this setting?

Sorry if any of the above is confused... I'm new to the scene and its jargon.

Thanks in advance.

 

[TexRoadkill]

The MIDI that you are converting in the computer is using the sounds off of your soundcard or softsynth and not the sounds on your digital piano. If you want to record the sounds off of your keyboard then you have to record the audio output.

 

[mitya]

Sorry perhaps I worded it wrong. It's not the piano's own sounds I want, it's the soundfonts installed on my soundcard's synth. Like I say, I can successfully record them in via midi, and even convert those tracks to audio, but the quality changes. My method for conversion is to set my record settings in my surround mixer to 'midi synth' and then record the audio tracks in cubase while the midi ones are playing.

Would the audio cable ensure perfect conversion with the retained sound quality, or am I always going to have to put up with some quality and sound alteration when converting from midi to audio?

Cheers.