Recording live piano with cd accompaniment tracks

[vibe]

I am interested in recording live piano with cd accompaniment traks. With a Mackie 1202 VLZ mixer, dual mics, and a cd player, I can mix the signals and record directly to cd (Phillips 725), but the resulting sound from the mic is muddy while the sound from the orchestra accompaniment from the cd sounds ok. Any tips on how to do this better? i.e. appropriate mics, equipment or settings.

 

[fivesh]

You might try tracking the orchestra and then the piano at different times and then mixing down to a wav to write to CD. DDClip offers a free 4-track mixing program at www.softlab-nsk.com/Pro/DDClip.html or thereabouts. Make sure you get the free 4-track as the shareware ones cost $50-200 and until registered will only export 10 seconds of sound.

 

[The Green Hornet]

Hey Vibe-person:

If you had an MD four or eight track recorder, here's what you could do: First put the CD music on a track. Usually, one track of CD is enough because it has the great digital sound foot print, as I call it. Once you have the music on a track, you can play and record your piano chops on one track or two or more, depending on how creative you want to be.

I use CD background music for some of my clients in my home studio and all I have to do is get the music on a track and let the artist sing her heart away until she gets the cut she likes. I have an MD-8 recorder so I can access the virtual tracks if I run out of regular tracks but usually one or two times does it. Good luck. You can rent a unit to try this out before you buy.

The Green Hornet