Analog / digitial recording

Posted on May 26, 2012 07:15 pm
Topti
I've got a vision.
Member Since: Dec 05, 2008

Ok, now it's gonna be really greenhorn question but anyways...

Some time ago I got myself KURZWEIL PC3LE8 but never recorded its sounds, I use it mostly for MIDI recordings and practicing piano.

Lately I've come up with some neat piano tune and struggle to nail this million dollar piano sound with my EWQL Pianos Gold. Well, it's not that gold, not for me at least so I decided to record the one from KURZWEIL since it's got very nice libraries.

The thing is - how I record them?

Check out this pic and share Your thoughts:
db.tt/U6f4jbz8

Do I get it right? If no, where's a mistake or what can I sipmlify here?

Moreover - apart from a kind of signal (analog, digital) will I hear any difference between recordings in set 1 and set 2?

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J-bot
Byte-Mixer
Member
Since: Dec 04, 2007

May 27, 2012 12:24 am

I think a simpler way would be to run the RCA out from the Kurzweil into the soundcard RCA inputs, then the Soundcard RCA outputs into the speakers. You'd still be able to monitor the keyboard, and hear the computer outputs as well. That is how I would set it up anyway.

So going by the diagram, the way I would go is:

Kurz RCA Out R -> Soundcard RCA In R
Kurz RCA Out L -> Soundcard RCA In L

Soundcard RCA Out R -> RCA In Right Speaker
Soundcard RCA Out L -> RCA In Left Speaker

Unless I'm missing what you're trying to do. This should allow you to record the Kurzweil and still hear the computer playback through the speakers. This will also allow you to capture a stereo recording of the Kurzweil, which I'm thinking you'll want. The Analog method in the diagram would capture a mono recording from the Kurzweil.

Topti
I've got a vision.
Member
Since: Dec 05, 2008

May 27, 2012 07:30 pm

Thanks J-Bot! :)

What if I'd like to just play the kb without turing the PC on? You've probably noticed I have two ports in my speakers - RCA and TRS but no TRS out in Kurzweil... Can't also find RCA -> TRS connector...

The thing is I'd like (if possible) to use one pair of speakers working with PC and kb both together and seperately in order:
I want kb, turn it on (PC's off) and play.
I want pc, turn it on (kb's off) and I have sound.
I want to record kb to my PC (both on) - it's done without changing cables.

Plz don't take it as if I'm complaining - I just don't like practicing kb with PC on cause it's distracting my focus. Also don't feel like diving behind my giant desk to fix cables every time I want to record...:D

Thanks for Your patience, You'll be a saint for sure! :D

J-bot
Byte-Mixer
Member
Since: Dec 04, 2007

May 28, 2012 12:17 am

They do make RCA -> 1/4" TRS adapters. I have a couple. You can probably find them through Newegg, or Amazon. :) They should be pretty cheap too.

I understand not wanting to dive behind the table to fetch cables, believe you me. :) Also, are you sure that's RCA only? I was looking at the product pic, and the jacks on the back all look like 1/4" jacks to me, like the headphone jack next to them? I would be surprised if a high-end product like a Kurzweil was using RCA outputs. O_o

Anyway,

One thing you could consider, is maybe getting a cheap USB or Firewire audio interface and just run the keyboard cables into it, and run the output to the speakers. That way, as long as the interface has power, it will transmit the keyboard signals to the speakers regardless if the PC is on or not. You'll want to get one that has its own power supply/plug, and doesn't run off of the USB/Firewire cable alone. Although cheap is relative, I know. There -should- be something out there less than $200 that will do the trick. It doesn't need to be too fancy either to record the keyboard output, just need 2 channels.

(any suggestions anyone?)

I don't know what soundcard you are using, but maybe the audio interface route would give you a higher quality recording in addition to be able to use it without the PC being turned on.

For example, my Echo Audiofire4 has its own power supply besides the firewire cable, so I can have the PC off, but still use it to play keys through the speakers. I understand not wanting to shell out the cash to get one, but for what you want to do, it might be a good option.

Topti
I've got a vision.
Member
Since: Dec 05, 2008

Jun 01, 2012 09:52 am

Thanks J-Bot! Meantime I plugged Kurzweil into speakers and AKG K271 headphones into my M-Audio 2496 soundcard. Will have to wait with buying external device but it seems like the best idea for my needs.

Regards! :)