How to record with my digital piano ?

[stefo78]

Hi,

I play on a Kawai CN23 and usually record myself with a smartphone or a camera.
However sound quality is really poor.

The piano is equipped with midi in and out, but I remember these can't help to record all aspects of playing - but I'm not sure, in fact.

Adding to that piano is just a hobby and I do not want to invest a lot in it, for a rare use.

So, what the best way to record myself, without buying big material ? I'm just thinking about a correct wire and a little software for a Pc or a smartphone. Any ideas ?

Thanks !
Stefo

[quantum]

Can you elaborate on what you want to do with your recordings.  Do you want piano only or do you want to play with samples and other sounds?  Do you want video?

[stefo78]

I want piano only. Video is not necessary.

[stefo78]

I do not want to play with samples or other sounds.

[mussels_with_nutella]

There are midi to usb cables which, at least in my city, are quite expensive (20-30 €). I don't know in your city, try to look for it and see if they are cheap enough. Hopefully you can record not only the notes at the time you play it, but also the intensity, everything.

If you connect it to your computer, and take a program like FL Studio which can process the midi, you can hear yourself (and edit, and whatever you want). I used to do that.

If this idea does not satisfy you, the best you can do in my opinion is to get a good audio recorder (possibly from a smartphone? The quality of the voice recorders of the phones vary a lot from my experience, try different from the people who live in your house )

[chopinlover01]

You could also invest in a good mic- if you want long term good sound quality, it's a good way to go.
I just got a Blue Snowball, it's a great way to record piano, and a great way to record sound in general. I have two pianos in my house next to each other for piano duos (a relative uses the space as her teaching studio) and I have the mic set on the other piano when I record one piano works.
The mic I cited goes around 40-70 USD, so it may be a bit much for your price range.
Check around local guitar centers if you're in the US. They have keyboard sections and good audio recording equipment.
Actual mics do not come cheap...

[Bob]

Why not just record from the audio out on the keyboard itself?

[quantum]

Easiest thing to do is connect your headphone out with a cable to a line level input.  Unfortunately the CN23 does not have line out.  Might not be be cleanest signal, but it is likely to work.

Next thing is MIDI to USB cable.  This will transfer MIDI data, but not sound.  If you play back through your piano and record events on a computer, you will hear your DP's sounds.  However, there is no audio data being recorded - that means you still need to record audio if you want to share the recording with the sounds you are hearing.  MIDI data does offer the possibility of using sampled pianos, so you can take advantage of the many offerings.  Great if you want to play sampled Steinways, Bösendorfer's, et alia through your piano. 

USB microphones.  They will cost a bit more then a cable, but will give good results.  Keep in mind you need to have your computer near your piano. 

Portable Audio Recorders will likely be the most versatile solution.  Remember, there are many other uses for these then just recording yourself on piano.  There are some now being offered at the $100 price point.  Sure they seem expensive when you compare to a $10 cable, but considering the package you get for even the entry level ones they are the most bang for your buck.  Mics often optimized for music recording, portability, data storage on SD cards, easy transfer to computer for sharing, some can even act as a USB sound card. 

Here are some options:
TASCAM DR-05
TASCAM DR-22WL Portable Recorder with Wi-Fi
Tascam DR-07mkII Portable Digital Audio Recorder
Zoom H1 Handy Recorder
Zoom H2n Handy Recorder


IMO, recording through a smart phone or tablet built in mic should be considered a last resort only.  Use when absolutely nothing else is available. 


For software, check these out:

Audacity.  Will do nearly everything you need.
https://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Ardour.  If you want a DAW, but don't want to pay for commercial offerings.  Mac and Linux.  No Windows yet, but there is hope.
https://ardour.org/

Sekaiju.  MIDI editor.  Looks promising.
https://openmidiproject.sourceforge.jp/Sekaiju_en.html
https://www.harmonycentral.com/forum/forum/Keyboards/acapella-18/315270-