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Recording Piano using Audacity
Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 3:47 pm
by owright3
I have recorded thru a MIDI cable directly into my notation software. How can I achieve that direct connection with Audacity? I can record by running the cable from my piano's headphone jack to the audio/in on the computer. It plays back and sounds sensational. The problem is, with it plugged into the headphone jack (I have two) I cannot hear what I am playing while I am playing it. I tried but failed to find a way to get around this...the audio out (piano) is one of those four or five prong plugs, and I haven't found a cable with prongs on one end, and a compatable connection for my computer.
I tried using a headphone on my second jack. I could hear Mono, and it recorded Mono, even though I had it set for stereo.
The piano sound is so beautiful...I hate to give up when I am so close. It's probably something simple, but I am stumped.
Re: Recording Piano using Audacity
Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 4:19 pm
by kozikowski
While you could adjust Audacity to play at the same time it's recording, that generally comes out a fraction of a second late and it would make you crazy. I use a headphone "Y" cable. One side of the "Y" goes to the sound system or headphones and the other I plug into the computer.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2103870
Adapt, adjust, or select the cable to get the right sizes you need. For example, my keyboard has 1/4" stereo sockets and not 1/8", so I use one of these..
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2102667
The computer connects with one of these..
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2102949
Koz
Re: Recording Piano using Audacity
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 7:38 pm
by Christalle
That was incredibly helpful, thanks for your posts. I am a keyboardist/vocalist and am just starting out with Audacity. I never would have even thought of the problem that once I get the keyboard hooked into the computer, I will not be able to hear it! Now I know what cables to buy. Thanks again!
Christalle
Re: Recording Piano using Audacity
Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 1:41 am
by kozikowski
You're welcome. I'm going on your description of existing recordings as sounding very good. Most Windows machines can't do that very well. I'm on a classic Mac laptop and I do have a very high quality stereo connection for recording. Koz