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Keyboard Recording: Getting that "live" feel when recording sample-based instruments.
04/14/2004

Here's a technique for recording keyboards and other sample-based instruments to create a more realistic, or "live" sound. This technique is especially useful if you are trying to emulate acoustic instruments.

Start by splitting the outputs of the keyboard; send one channel to your multitrack recorder (via your mixer, or direct), and the other channel to a keyboard amp (almost all keyboards have stereo outputs so this shouldn't pose a problem). So, what is the effect? The sound moving through air and room characteristics that you get from miking the keyboard amp will create the illusion that the instrument is being played live while the direct recording of the first channel will add clarity. When it comes to mixing, blend the two sounds together to taste. However, I have found that the miked channel should be lower in volume. Bring it up just enough to add the "live" effect to the line-in channel. Mics, amps and rooms add noise and adding in this noise to an otherwise sterile sound will add spice and character. Naturally, the end result of levels and which channel to feature is left up to your personal taste.





Other Techtips from April 2004:
April 30 - Multitrack Recording Keyboards Tip!
April 29 - Basic Tips for Mixers and Remixers!
April 28 - What to look for when purchasing a pro keyboard!
April 27 - Just a few tips for playing out live!
April 26 - Getting the most from Expression!
April 23 - Making your kick drum and bass line sit nicely together in the mix.
April 22 - Virtual analog synths vs. analog synths.
April 21 - Guitar effects for the keyboard player.
April 20 - Plug-ins: Using wrappers.
April 19 - Speeding up importing files from CD-ROM to MV-8000.
April 16 - Syncing an LFO within a K2500/K2600/K2661 Program to an External MIDI Clock.
April 15 - Click Track and bleed - what to do?
April 14 - Keyboard Recording: Getting that "live" feel when recording sample-based instruments.
April 13 - Powered speakers and how to connect them to your powered mixer.
April 12 - Reverb - When is enough, enough?
April 09 - What to look for in a mixer for live sound.
April 08 - Setting up the Tascam FW-1884 with MOTU's DP4!
April 07 - Setting up the Tascam FW-1884 with MOTU's DP4!
April 06 - Glyph's hot-swapping FireWire technology explained.
April 05 - Channel, Key and Poly Aftertouch explained.
April 03 - Barry's Guitar Recording Techniques: Not all guitars sound the same!
April 02 - K2xxx keyboard workstations' sample formats described.


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