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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 188
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Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 188 |
Hello! I'm trying to do some basic recording with my keyboard and I am getting some unwanted noise. In essence, the keyboard sounds much less clear and pure (that's the best I can describe it) on a recording than when I am playing it. I'm using same headphones for both. I've uploaded a sample mp3 as it's quite hard for me to describe the noise using words: https://ufile.io/w7tdnI am a bit of a novice with recording tech, so this may be a well-known type of noise that one of you immediately recognises. It's worse with some sound settings than others. The concert grand (in the recording) is about average. The electric piano sound is worse. Strings and the like are not so bad. My equipment: - Kawai ES110 keyboard (sounds crystal clear when I play it) - Behringer UMC204HD audio interface (latest drivers are installed) - 2x jack leads to connect the keyboard with the audio interface (not sure of the exact models but they seem fine when I use them on other things) - OS: Windows 7 - Software: BIAB, RealBand, Audacity, Sound Recorder (it seems to be the same on all software) Please let me know if any more info would be helpful. Thanks very much!
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,985
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Mike02392,
Thanks for providing all the detail. It helps a lot. Having a sample file was thoughtful.
First, I listened to the file and I must confess I didn't hear anything strange. Maybe another keyboard player will hear something I overlooked.
You mentioned you listen through your headphones. Do you have the headphones plugged into the computer, the keyboard or the audio interface? The best place to connect is the audio interface. If you're using the Behringer UMC204HD headphone jack notice there is a blend control on the front panel to mix together the keyboard audio and computer audio.
Since it does not matter which program you use to record I think that eliminates programs and audio settings.
I think either it's how your headphones are connected or a setting on your audio interface.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Apr 2009
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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 03:08 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd 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.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Mike02392 I didn't hear anything wrong either but that may be due to the fact that your crystal clear sounds were not available for comparison.
Jim brought up the headphone possibility.
You mentioned that the keyboard is crystal clear but your recordings are not. That indicates to me that something in your audio interface and/or software is changing the sound. I would experiment with changing the gains on both the audio interface, keyboard and software. It takes the right combination of all three to get the perfect sound.
If that doesn't work check for effects. If none are present you may have to include an EQ to get where you want. Or maybe an exciter.
BUT when I get differences in sound it is usually how I have my gains set up. Changing them can work wonders.
I hope this helps and good luck.
I think my wife has started to show the first signs of dementia.
She said she can't remember what she ever saw in me!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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