Skip to main content

What is the best way to record a digital piano? Is it better to go frome line-out on the piano to line-in on the recorder or is it better to mike the keyboard? Thanks in advance to all that answer, Van

Comments

anonymous Wed, 01/05/2005 - 15:59

You'll get tons of suggestions concerning a "best" way, but as for personal preference, I almost always choose to send the keyboard's signal to an amplifying device--whether full-range (say, a p.a. system) or limited- (a guitar amp) should depend on the particular patch--then finding a fitting room sound with a microphone.

With that said, you might lose some nuances of the keyboard or introduce audible noise this way.

anonymous Wed, 01/05/2005 - 20:01

What keyboard are you recording? When you say "mic the keyboard" should I assume it has a built in speaker? Or, are you using a keyboard amp? You may want to record both the direct (line out) signal AND the mic the amp (though, I wouldn't bother recording a built in speaker on a keyboard) to different tracks.

Personally, I think the line out is your best bet, unless the talent has a particular preference for the amp sound (you can see if the amp has a recording out). If it is a weighted keyboard, you might also try micing the "hammer" sound. If you mix it creatively (and keep it way in the background) with a touch of room 'verb, you would be surprized how realistic it can sound.

Experiment! 8-)

johnwy Wed, 01/05/2005 - 21:39

yet another point would be if you are going line out of the PNO to line in on the mixer, you may or may not have enough gain . In which case you may have to go from the line outs of the PNO and into a pair of DI's (if stereo) and then into you mixers mic pres to get more gain to play with.

Good luck

anonymous Thu, 01/06/2005 - 12:07

Thanks everyone for the answers. I knew there would be several "best'ways to do this. I have a Kurzweil Mark12 which has it's own built in speakers. I only record to a two track recorder so some options aren't available. Will do some experimenting and let you guys know what worked "Best" for me. Thanks, Van

DaveRunyan Fri, 01/07/2005 - 14:24

I record my Kurzweil all the time with great results. If I am after the piano sounds I go direct to my Focusrite Octi pre that has instrument level inputs. This works really well and gives me the opportunity to compress it just a little on the way in if I need to. I make sure all of the effects are shut off on the keyboard though so I can do what I want later. This set up works great for recording the string sounds as well. I am still looking for a good way to record organ sounds direct. They just always sound fake........well I guess they are.