Ways to record

[Ghostlord101]

What is the best way to record audio out of a keyboard?

So far I've been taking a line out of my Fusion and straight into the laptop (rubbish laptop, not a mac >.<) 's mic slot and then reocrding into Audacity. Now this is fine for demos and stuff, but for any serious work I want to do I end up with a slight hiss and fairly low recording quality which is really annoying.

Would getting a DAW like Cubase reduce this problem?

If I want a hardware recorder, what should I look for and how do they work with a computer?

Would having a better sound card lessen the problem?

If I recorded into the 'line in' slot in my main computer would this provide better quality?

Thanks very much, Ghost

[el mae de las teclas]

Using the line in input will reduce the hiss but still it is only good for low quality recordings.
Nowadays there is a huge variety of recording interfaces, from really basic and cheap to highly soffisticated and expensive. You can connect them via USB, FireWire or PCI slots, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
You should find more information about what you need and which type will work the best according to your computer type and configuration.

Also the different types provide different input options regarding the type of connector and the amount of inputs.

The keep it simple, for your keyboard, I would recommend one that has 2 inputs for stereo recording. Usually the same inputs allow to connect mic type connectors, so that you can also do microphone recordings, bass or guitar recordings. Actually an interface with 2 inputs should be enough for most recording applications except drums.

DAWS like Cubase wont solve your hiss problems, since that is caused by your sound card. I know there are some free recording software which you can try out for starting, but Ive never used anyone so cant help you with that one.

Good luck!
Andrés

[idp]

For in-depth home-studio knowledge, try www.tweakheadz.com

Many reviews and stuff about interfaces/cards good to record synths and a start-to-finish manual about recording, many many useful infos.

[Grey Loki]

What is the best way to record audio out of a keyboard?

So far I've been taking a line out of my Fusion and straight into the laptop (rubbish laptop, not a mac >.<) 's mic slot and then reocrding into Audacity. Now this is fine for demos and stuff, but for any serious work I want to do I end up with a slight hiss and fairly low recording quality which is really annoying.

Would getting a DAW like Cubase reduce this problem?

If I want a hardware recorder, what should I look for and how do they work with a computer?

Would having a better sound card lessen the problem?

If I recorded into the 'line in' slot in my main computer would this provide better quality?

Thanks very much, Ghost

Best way would be to get a nice interface such as the Digidesign mBox 2 Mini and record through your line inputs at 48KHz/24bit. Alternatively, if you have digital inputs on your sound card (doubtful for a laptop, but more likely for any recent desktop machine), you could use them.

Your hum is a hardware problem, not a software one, so no, it won't have any effect. I recommend using Reaper instead of Audacity, but that's probably more of a personal preference thing.

By 'hardware recorder', i'm assuming you mean an audio interface. They connect to your machine via USB or FireWire, and literally just add extra inputs and outputs to your computer. They come in many shapes, sizes, and qualities - if you're after something solid and inexpensive, look at something from Digidesign's mBox series - they'll be fine for recording key tracks with the odd live mic track.

You should be using a 'line in' input on any machine, rather than 'mic' inputs - line inputs are designed to take the hotter signal that keyboards output by default, but you shouldn't be expecting wonders - manufacturers skimp on inessential stuff like sound cards and peripherals in most computers, so the quality will never be great.

Hope this helps :)

[Ghostlord101]

Ok so the best and quickest fix is to use the line in on a better soundcard (shouldn't be a problem, I can get hold a desktop soon).

Thanks very much, Ghost

[Omega Monkey]

Uhm, doesnt the Fusion have an internal 16 track audio recorder? Why not just use that? And doesnt it also have USB? I have to imagine that if you couldnt use the USB as an audio interface (knowing Alesis you probably cant), you should at least be able to use it to transfer the files recorded on the Fusion to your computer for further editing, etc...

[hephiroth]

Uhm, doesnt the Fusion have an internal 16 track audio recorder? Why not just use that? And doesnt it also have USB? I have to imagine that if you couldnt use the USB as an audio interface (knowing Alesis you probably cant), you should at least be able to use it to transfer the files recorded on the Fusion to your computer for further editing, etc...

you can record 8 tracks of audio, but you can't use the USB as an audio interface, nor can you use it to transfer recorded files--you can only use it to you transfer samples/programs/etc to and from the hard disk.

you still need a recording a solution to get anything you record on the fusion to your computer :frown:

[Ghostlord101]

I wasn't planning on using the in-built recorder, it would give me less flexibility with how I master and process the audio and add effects later if I want them.

And if it can't be exported...kinda stymies the entire thing :tongue:

Unless I recorded it to an compact flash or an external hard drive, but then its still not as flexible.

[Tiko]

Yes, get a new soundcard!