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
What keyboard are you recording? When you say "mic the keyboard
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-)
yet another point would be if you are going line out of the PNO
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
Thanks everyone for the answers. I knew there would be several
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
I record my Kurzweil all the time with great results. If I am a
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.
You'll get tons of suggestions concerning a "best" way, but as f
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.