Recording Piano using Audacity

owright3 · Post by **owright3** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 3:47 pm

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.

Post by **kozikowski** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 4:19 pm

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

Christalle · Post by **Christalle** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 7:38 pm

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

Post by **kozikowski** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 1:41 am

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

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Recording Piano using Audacity

Recording Piano using Audacity

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