Recording Roland RD-700gx and vocals, what do I need?

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SiriV

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Hello! I'm going to record an album in a professional studio in the future, but before then I thought it would be a good idea to have a little home studio to record and listen to my compositions, so I have drafts of all my songs. So, what I need advice on, is:

- What kind of equipment do I need to record my stage piano into the computer?

- What kind of equipment do I need to record vocals, and what microphone do you recommend?

If you also have some additional tips I haven't thought about, I'll be happy to hear that too!
 
SiriV said:
Hello! I'm going to record an album in a professional studio in the future, but before then I thought it would be a good idea to have a little home studio to record and listen to my compositions, so I have drafts of all my songs. So, what I need advice on, is:

- What kind of equipment do I need to record my stage piano into the computer?

- What kind of equipment do I need to record vocals, and what microphone do you recommend?

If you also have some additional tips I haven't thought about, I'll be happy to hear that too!
Click to expand...
Google these
Digital Audio Workstation
USB Interface
Condenser microphone
Headphones
Studio Monitors

Your budget will determine what to buy.
 
SiriV said:
Thanks, I will check that out!
Click to expand...

Do you think this this package a good starting point?
$_57.webp
 
Morning SiriV and welcome.
The UR22 is a fine interface and would, in the ordinary course of events serve you well. I have no knowledge of the microphone but most are very usable, maybe a user here can comment?

If you catch a slight reservation in my tone it is because I would ask, "do you intend to record voice and keys together"? If so you will need an interface with two more line inputs. Yes, you could have mic on one channel and one channel of keyboard on the other but its a bit of a kludge and you will lose any "stereo" qualities that I am sure that stonking piano has!

So, we come to my personal favourite AI, the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6. You still get Cubase DAW software (none better for MIDI work. Don't forget to pick up a pair of DIN MIDI cables) . Not only does it have the extra pair of balanced line inputs you require but can download a version of Kontakt Player and about 3G of samples. It also has the lowest "latency" of any AI in its price class and several above it.

Even if you intend to record keys and voice separately, having everything plugged up and ready to fly is surely worth a few $$$s?

Dave.
 
ecc83 said:
Morning SiriV and welcome.
The UR22 is a fine interface and would, in the ordinary course of events serve you well. I have no knowledge of the microphone but most are very usable, maybe a user here can comment?

If you catch a slight reservation in my tone it is because I would ask, "do you intend to record voice and keys together"? If so you will need an interface with two more line inputs. Yes, you could have mic on one channel and one channel of keyboard on the other but its a bit of a kludge and you will lose any "stereo" qualities that I am sure that stonking piano has!

So, we come to my personal favourite AI, the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6. You still get Cubase DAW software (none better for MIDI work. Don't forget to pick up a pair of DIN MIDI cables) . Not only does it have the extra pair of balanced line inputs you require but can download a version of Kontakt Player and about 3G of samples. It also has the lowest "latency" of any AI in its price class and several above it.

Even if you intend to record keys and voice separately, having everything plugged up and ready to fly is surely worth a few $$$s?

Dave.
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Thank you! I would normally record vocals and piano separately, but sometimes it's nice to record it at the same time as well so it's good to have that opportunity. I looked up the link you sent, and I think that would be perfect! It's also really good to get recommendations from people who have more knowledge about this than me, so I think I will buy that one.

And yes, the Roland 700gx has a pretty amazing sound, so it would be a shame not to capture that in recordings! I've also looked at different microphones now and found that Røde microphones often are recommended for good quality home recordings. I'm considering NT1-A or NT2-A at the moment, but I'm open to hear other suggestions.

So, my shopping list this far looks like this:
Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6+ Cubase software
Røde NT2-A+shockmount and pop filter
KRK rokit studio monitors (I need new studio monitors for my stage piano anyway)
 
700GX has USB MIDI, I suggest recording the MIDI and the sound. It is hard to control the GX from MIDI data, but it can be done, but limited. (Record sound and MIDI, then run your MIDI back to your keyboard for another voice and back in the analog). Two would get you there, but I am sure 4 or more would be nice in many instances. Plus for a single person set up, you wouldn't have to plug and unplug.

Your list looks pretty good. Once you get going, your next undertaking will be to treat your room. It is not as hard as you think, but it would be wise to get that sorted out before you go beyond what you have listed here.

Good luck!
 
I only know of the Roland what I can glean from the manual but the USB-MIDI implementation looks a bit complicated to me!

Simpler I would think to just get a couple of these...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/5-Pin-Din-MIDI-Lead-3m/dp/B009L3Y21A

One benefit will be that Cubase will show the KA6 as the MIDI device (getting MIDI working can be a trial at first. I am not a great Cubase user but know a bit but there are plenty of experts around here.)

Do you run the keyboard out via the jack sockets to any amplifier/speaker system at present? If so you could get a pair of female XLR to TRS jack leads and run those into the line inputs of the KA6. This means you would be able to still use the keyboard without firing up the computer.

Dave.
 
ecc83 said:
I only know of the Roland what I can glean from the manual but the USB-MIDI implementation looks a bit complicated to me!

Simpler I would think to just get a couple of these...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/5-Pin-Din-MIDI-Lead-3m/dp/B009L3Y21A

One benefit will be that Cubase will show the KA6 as the MIDI device (getting MIDI working can be a trial at first. I am not a great Cubase user but know a bit but there are plenty of experts around here.)

Do you run the keyboard out via the jack sockets to any amplifier/speaker system at present? If so you could get a pair of female XLR to TRS jack leads and run those into the line inputs of the KA6. This means you would be able to still use the keyboard without firing up the computer.

Dave.
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Do difference than regular MIDI for the most part. Once recognized, you just route it like you would normally.
 
DM60 said:
Do difference than regular MIDI for the most part. Once recognized, you just route it like you would normally.
Click to expand...

Sorry DM60, but I don't quite understand that, typo somewhere?

My point was that the USB setup in the manual seems protracted, qualified and complex tho' I am sure it would make more sense had I the hardware to play with.
Using the MIDI ports on the KA6 keeps everything standard and simple. The OP can regard the keyboard as a "black box" that simple exchanges MIDI data and can more easily be helped to get it all running sweetly.

Of course DM, if you have that Roland yourself and know it intimately, no problem!

Dave.
 
I don't have the 700, my daughter has the 300 and uses the USB. She hasn't had any problem using the MIDI was my only point. Once connected, it basically works like standard MIDI.
 
DM60 said:
I don't have the 700, my daughter has the 300 and uses the USB. She hasn't had any problem using the MIDI was my only point. Once connected, it basically works like standard MIDI.
Click to expand...
Oh! Ok. I suppose if I had one I would find it would just plug n play! Just seemed a bit of a diatribe about it in the book!

Dave.
 
ecc83 said:
Oh! Ok. I suppose if I had one I would find it would just plug n play! Just seemed a bit of a diatribe about it in the book!

Dave.
Click to expand...

It is if you are trying to do more and access the voices from the DAW, but USB or DIN would be complex.

I have experimented with accessing and driving from an external MIDI source (DAW), but you have to understand the voice mappings, the program numbers, etc. that becomes complex. Just recording MIDI notes and analog voices is no different that you would using the DIN cables.
 
I didn't understand everything in the last posts, but I guess will learn a lot by trying and failing, haha. And of course by reading a lot in this forum on the way. Anyway, you have been really helpful! I still wonder if anyone has any comments about the Røde NT2-A mic?
 
SiriV said:
I didn't understand everything in the last posts, but I guess will learn a lot by trying and failing, haha. And of course by reading a lot in this forum on the way. Anyway, you have been really helpful! I still wonder if anyone has any comments about the Røde NT2-A mic?
Click to expand...

Rode NT2A

Very well thought of there ^ Unusually for a large, side address capacitor it is said to have a neutral sound, i.e. it does not impart much in the way of "attitude" to the proceedings. That is something that appeals to me.

There might be a bit of reverse snobbery about it but I would say go for it.

Dave.
 
ecc83 said:
Rode NT2A

Very well thought of there ^ Unusually for a large, side address capacitor it is said to have a neutral sound, i.e. it does not impart much in the way of "attitude" to the proceedings. That is something that appeals to me.

There might be a bit of reverse snobbery about it but I would say go for it.

Dave.
Click to expand...

That sounds good! I have kind of a Björk/Susanne Sundfør type of singing voice, so it might be cool to have a microphone that fits well to that. But I guess it's a lot is easier to get it exactly as I want when mixing, so it's probably best with a microphone with a neutral sound to start with!

I now have a budget of 4000kr which is $648 after some funding from a music organisation. That was more than I expected to have, so does anyone have recommendations for what I can get for the money? I'm definitely still buying the Native instruments KA6, I can get that for about $200, so I have $448 to spend on a microphone. The Rode Nt2A costs $307 or less, so I can actually buy a better microphone if I want to. Any suggestions for a microphone I can get for about $450?
 
SiriV said:
That sounds good! I have kind of a Björk/Susanne Sundfør type of singing voice, so it might be cool to have a microphone that fits well to that. But I guess it's a lot is easier to get it exactly as I want when mixing, so it's probably best with a microphone with a neutral sound to start with!

I now have a budget of 4000kr which is $648 after some funding from a music organisation. That was more than I expected to have, so does anyone have recommendations for what I can get for the money? I'm definitely still buying the Native instruments KA6, I can get that for about $200, so I have $448 to spend on a microphone. The Rode Nt2A costs $307 or less, so I can actually buy a better microphone if I want to. Any suggestions for a microphone I can get for about $450?
Click to expand...

I doubt that anyone here could say "Get that! Far better than the Rode" because they have not tried it on YOUR voice. So stay with the gut instinct, a neutral mic (for now) Rode make VERY good products and give a 10yr warranty I believe.

I would suggest putting the rest of the cash toward a Reflex Filter or some other form of acoustic treatment. If there should be $20 or so in the bottom of the piggy? Get a C weighted sound level meter.

Dave.
 
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