Recording stereo on digital piano with only mic in?

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orito

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Hi all, I'm completely new to this home recording website as well as recording itself.

I wanted to record songs I play on my digital piano which after looking at it, has only 'mic in' and a USB option. I'd rather not go down the midi options as that kind of seems long winded and complicated.

Is there anything I can do, ie will an External Sound Card sort this issue?

Also what will I actually need in terms of leads and software as I'm completely new to this so it's all abit over my head at the moment, but I've got some what, good knowledge on computers so should be able to pick it up easy enough with some guidance.

I'd greatly appreciate anyone's help!

Thank you
 
Does the usb out from the piano carry only midi or does it also carry audio?
(hint: you really need to read the manual...)

Telling us what it is would help; we're not psychic.
 
I think it's just midi but i'm not 100% sure. The piano is called the Casio PX-410R. I'd link you to the specifications but I need over 10 posts to post a link but if you'd google it you could see the spec's

It has an SD Card slot, USB MIDI, 2 Headphone Connections, And a Microphone Input.

Thanks for your reply
 
It has two headphone outs... you can probably get a stereo to two mono lead and send that into an interface with line ins, I would imagine, thence into your 'puter.

The microphone in is for singing along to... no use to you.
 
Hi Orito and welcome.

As Armistice said you can record one of the headphone outputs into an Audio Interface. The usb connection only carries MIDI (but more of that later).

Now things get sordid, money! All you really need is a "line level" usb AI and you can get one for as little as $25.00.

Something a bit more useful will set you back $100+ but a REALLY good AI will come out at $250. After that the sky is the limit but without being rude, you really don't need exotica to record a "synth". Never gonna tell! If you DID want to record voice as you play you would need an AI with 2 mic and 2 line inputs (one mic and 2 lines does not exist, AFAIK) . AIs to look at in increasing price:..
Behringer UCA 202 (222)
Focusrite 2i2
M-Audio Fast track pro
Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6

MIDI: Do not dismiss this so quickly. As you play you could record the data then go back and edit out any fluffs, play the edited material back into the keys and record again....ad inf!

Dave.
 
Thank you Armistice, is this what you spoke about? if so i shall buy it 3.5mm Stereo Jack Plug to 2 x 6.35mm Mono Audio Cable - 2 Metres:Amazon:Electronics

And Dave thank you for your indepth reply! It has helped greatly, I shall shop around for a decent AI. But in terms of things I need is that basically it? A AI and stereo to mono lead? and I'm set? Will there be any software I will require or is that part of the AI itself? And I don't wish to record my voice or anything like that just the piano in stereo. You spoke about it being synth...this is probably going to be a stupid question but what is that?

The aim of all this is so I can record myself playing and add the stereo sound too my videos so I can achieve a nice sounding piano cover of songs.
 
orito said:
Thank you Armistice, is this what you spoke about? if so i shall buy it 3.5mm Stereo Jack Plug to 2 x 6.35mm Mono Audio Cable - 2 Metres:Amazon:Electronics

And Dave thank you for your indepth reply! It has helped greatly, I shall shop around for a decent AI. But in terms of things I need is that basically it? A AI and stereo to mono lead? and I'm set? Will there be any software I will require or is that part of the AI itself? And I don't wish to record my voice or anything like that just the piano in stereo. You spoke about it being synth...this is probably going to be a stupid question but what is that?

The aim of all this is so I can record myself playing and add the stereo sound too my videos so I can achieve a nice sounding piano cover of songs.
Click to expand...

Yes that is it. AI plus leads. You need the means to hear your recordings of course and headphones are quite in order but you might consider some monitor speakers in the future? Another AI to add to the list is the Tascam US144 mk 2 but the mk1 or the US122 would serve you just as well for the limited use you will be putting it to. In any case, if you get "The Bug" and get a more sophisticated AI they can fetch 50% of new value second hand or you might find a second hand one.
Software? The Tascams come bundled with a "lite" version of Cubase. Not the friendliest of DAW software for the noob but you said you were pretty computer nifty? You should smoke it then! Cubase is the bee's knees for MIDI should you be so inclined.

Other software:...

Audacity. Free and very good. Fairly simple but no MIDI.
Reaper. Free but they like you to pay eventually! Not as hard to start as Cubase IMHO and does MIDI quite well.
And my favourite for the noob!>>>
Samplitude Silver: Totally free forever. I find it more intuitive than the other 3. MIDI ok but you are limited to 8 tracks (4 stereo) but then there's only you!

Synth? Synthersiser, a machine that generates sounds electronically and therefore, almost by definition, does not rate the very highest strata of fidelity to record.*

*I might get in trouble for that!

Dave.
 
Oh good! I'm halfway there then, I've decided upon getting the Behringer UCA202 as I've seen a video and the sound quality achieved is basically what i'm looking for, and for a cheap price too! And yes I'll probably go for the noob version (samplitude silver) to begin with, ha. as what i'm doing is pretty basic in terms of recording

Behringer UCA202 U-Control Ultra low-latency 2 In/2 Out USB/Audio Interface: Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments

I am curious though what lead would I need for this AI, I assume I'd plug 2 6.35mm Mono Jack Plugs into the headphone parts on my digital piano and have 2 x RCA/Phono Plugs into the AI, is that right? So therefore I'd need a '2x 6.35mm x 2x RCA' lead? and would sound be improved if I was to buy the gold version connectors?

And thank you for all this information, I have learnt a great deal!
 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/6-35mm-Ster...id=1368553966&sr=8-8&keywords=rca+to+1/4+jack

One of those ^ is what you need. Gold will not make any difference to the sound quality. Nor will oxygen free cable nor having the cables made by virgins at midnight.

The 202 IS the cheapest option but they do work quite well. I assume there is a level control on the piano's headphone output? You will need to keep the level fairly low. If you have ever done any tape recording you will probably know the mantra is to keep everything "in the red"!
Not so for digital recording. The 202 is limited to 16 bits but you should still aim for a recording level of about -15 to -12dBFS (0dBFS or Full Scale is the absolute maximum on the digital scale) All the ffffs should never hit above -6dBFS.

I have a UCA 202 handy and 3 different operating systems to hand so any problems...Shout!

Dave.
 
Okay have just ordered everything! and I don't actually see a level control solely for the piano's headphone output, only the main volume control as well as a mic volume which doesn't have any affect on the headphone sound level, don't know if this will be a problem? or the main volume is what your referring to? as I can adjust the headphone volume with the main volume and nope I've never done any kind of recording so thank you for that information! you've been a massive help!
 
Fine, come back when the bits arrive. You can have a bash solo, can't make smoke!

Dave.
 
Well... you could use an Audio Interface as stated, and connect the headphone output of your keyboard to it. But really, MIDI isn't that bad, especially if don't have to buy an interface for it and it's already integrated in the keyboard! You could play stuff, record the notes, even record each hand seperately if you'd like to, apply the MIDI to any synth (reusable melodies!) and even do advanced stuff like fixing a screw up without having to start the whole recording again afterwards. Or quantize your play to the right measures, adjust the speed. Too much to type up here actually. If all the necessities for MIDI are laid out before you, I'd go for that above audio without hesitation.
 
Milfje said:
Well... you could use an Audio Interface as stated, and connect the headphone output of your keyboard to it. But really, MIDI isn't that bad, especially if don't have to buy an interface for it and it's already integrated in the keyboard! You could play stuff, record the notes, even record each hand seperately if you'd like to, apply the MIDI to any synth (reusable melodies!) and even do advanced stuff like fixing a screw up without having to start the whole recording again afterwards. Or quantize your play to the right measures, adjust the speed. Too much to type up here actually. If all the necessities for MIDI are laid out before you, I'd go for that above audio without hesitation.
Click to expand...

All good advice M and I have recommended the OP use MIDI but he has to HEAR his recordings and fookings about! The only way would be internal computer sound and that is dire. The Berry 202 is MUCH better than that.

The RCA outs from the 202 can feed a hifi rig for example or indeed a dedicated keyboard amp.

Dave.
 
orito said:
Okay, So everything has now arrived. I did a quick setup for a test. This is what came out in the end. I think I probably still need to tweak it abit but let me know if the audio sounds okay. Titanic Piano Solo - My Heart Will Go On - YouTube

Thanks
Click to expand...

Very very nice!
The level is way too low. Still, MUCH better than slamming the limit! Somewhere in the system you need to boost things by about 15dB. I actually "normalized" the piece in Samplitude to -6dBFS and it sounded fine.

It looks as tho' your noise floor is down at about 83dBFS ish and that is the sort of figure I get with a 202. That gives you a dynamic range of about 77dB assuming an absolute peak of -6, not Apogee territory perhaps but WAY better than anything we had in tape days!

Keep up the good work.
BTW: Do investigate the demo of Modartt Pianoteque.

Dave.
 
Thanks Dave :)

When I'm using Samplitude how do I know what the dBF I have when recording? As I'm not 100% sure. As the track I originally record I think was quite loud as it made my laptop speakers rattle abit (granted I was on high volume on my laptop) but I tried editing it via sony vegas. (Program I used for the video)

Also how do I edit the volume of a track using Samplitude like you did to normalize it? As I've tried to muck around with the volume on that....which I thought worked but as soon as I convert it to mp3 and closed down Samplitude (I have to close Samplitude as if it still has the file open it keeps the volume you selected) and when I play it on it's own with the file out of Samplitude it goes back to what I originally recorded it like.

This is the raw unedited version
http://yourlisten.com/channel/content/16984515/Titanic

And yeah I've download the trial of that, which does look interesting actually. After I've mastered this process I may try my hand a midi!

Thanks Dave!
 
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