With just this one example to reference, it's hard to say. It sounded clear but with the highs rolled off a bit.

So, how are you recording this? Are you recording the audio output of the keyboard or are you using midi and recording the midi and using a soft synth to play the piano? From the looks of the info you provided, it appears that you are capturing the audio output.

If there's an impedance mismatch, that will affect the sound from what you hear to what you record. If the cords are not shielded, you can introduce noise, and if they are of cheap quality, you can actually roll off some of the highs.

Most of the folks I know who record and use piano in it, including myself, record using midi. That gives us the data, and then we simply use a soft synth running the sample of our choice to get near perfect, noiseless, quality piano sounds. If you are playing this yourself, you don't lose any of the nuances and variations in the playing, you simply are eliminating the noise and other things that can affect the quality of the sound.

You can also have a look at the settings in the recording chain. Be sure nothing is overloaded and clipping. Also be sure you don't accidentally have the compression turned up or have a "warming" fx in the chain. Warming is done by adding a bit of distortion, and compression can affect the sound quality as well.

I don't think the headphones are a factor since you said you use them to monitor the keyboard and the playback and there is a difference between them. So that puts it back to the things I mentioned.

Since it sounds the same on ALL the software.... what do they all have in common? Cables, interface, settings, Audio in vs midi/softsynth

just for grins and as part of the troubleshooting process.... the very first thing I would do is set the keyboard up to play through a midi soft synth with a nice piano sound. In other words.... turn the keyboard volume all the way down and listen to it as it plays a synth sampled piano. Monitor it from your DAW of choice. Record it as midi and then play back and compare to see if the quality difference is still there or if it disappears.

My hunch is that you're losing it for one reason or another because it's audio and there's a weak link in that process. Theoretically, there should not be. But... before you go to messing around with the other variables, try the midi sampled route first. It's quick and easy to do.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 02/28/19 04:08 AM.
You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.