Recording electronic keyboard

jwleeman · 12th January 2009

How do you guys normally record electronic keyboard into your DAW ?

mixedupsteve · 12th January 2009

I use a Radial stereo DI if I have the channels. If not, then just use the mono out from the keys to a DI. You might have to pad it down but most DIs have pad switches.
Also make sure you get the keyboardist to set all his volumes carefully. I often get wild swings in volume with them because they dont bother to do this right.

Jim vanBergen · 12th January 2009

With a DI box into a good preamp, with a limiter or compressor set just in case to inhibit 'overs', but not to intentionally compress the signal, just to protect the extreme end.

Hope this helps!

JvB

jwleeman · 12th January 2009

thanks. so the options are basically the same as for electric guitar or bass? do you guys ever record it by close-miking an amplifier and optionally also recording the direct signal from the line-level output of the amp ?

BLP · 13th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

With a DI box into a good preamp, with a limiter or compressor set just in case to inhibit 'overs', but not to intentionally compress the signal, just to protect the extreme end...

Yep, same here. It's nice to have some gain control rather than just going straight in. Plus, if you're looking to put some grit or color on the sound, this is a great way to do it. As for micing, it depends on the source, player and goal of the recording. If they have a "sound" that they've developed involving an amp, why not split a DI (in case their sound isn't quite perfect) and mic the amp!

jwleeman · 20th January 2009

thanks BLP, can you explain how you would 'split the DI' ?

12th January 2009	#1
jwleeman Gear maniac Joined: Oct 2008 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 298 Thread Starter	Recording electronic keyboard How do you guys normally record electronic keyboard into your DAW ?

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12th January 2009	#2
mixedupsteve Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2008 Location: Chestertown MD USA Posts: 969	I use a Radial stereo DI if I have the channels. If not, then just use the mono out from the keys to a DI. You might have to pad it down but most DIs have pad switches. Also make sure you get the keyboardist to set all his volumes carefully. I often get wild swings in volume with them because they dont bother to do this right.

12th January 2009	#3
Jim vanBergen Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2005 Location: New York Friggin' City Posts: 2,562	With a DI box into a good preamp, with a limiter or compressor set just in case to inhibit 'overs', but not to intentionally compress the signal, just to protect the extreme end. Hope this helps! JvB

20th January 2009	#6
jwleeman Gear maniac Joined: Oct 2008 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 298 Thread Starter	thanks BLP, can you explain how you would 'split the DI' ?