Just starting...
I have an Artesia PA-88W keyboard (recent gift), and I would like to capture output while I play. It has a USB port which I can connect to a Win10 computer. How do I tell SFAS14 to capture the output?
Hope this isn't a total newbie question, but I can't find anything that addresses this.
Thanks
Vince G.
The USB port of your keyboard is for the transmission of MIDI, not Audio, as far as I can see from the on-line web page for it. SFAS cannot record MIDI, it is an audio recorder. So you need to take the outputs from the phono sockets on your keyboard (which are the audio outputs) and connect them to your computer, and SFAS. Exactly how this connection is made will depend on the audio inputs you are using on your computer; if you have an external audio interface this is generally much easier to set up.
HTH
Jeff
Forum Moderator
@emmrecs
Thank you for the quick reply. I realize this forum is not meant to be a teaching platform, but I certainly appreciate the help...
This set of cables should connect the keyboard to a USB port on my pc.
How do I set SFAS to capture the input from the USB port.
Thanks again...
Vince G.
It appears the Artesia PA-88W keyboard has left and right RCA (aka, phono) outputs, which are typically -10dB (consumer line level). As Jeff stated, you will want an interface that will accept that level.
Some PCs integrated soundcards can accommodate line level, via a 3.5mm (1/8") stereo mini-plug. If that is the case, you would only need a 'left/right RCA to stereo mini-plug' adapter cable, which are common. The headphone jack can usually be used as well, but I would not recommend it. The left/right RCA outputs would sound better in any scenario.
OTOH, many integrated soundcards only accept microphone (mic) level (around -50dB). If you feed line level to a mic level input. it will usually distort horribly but cause no damage (except maybe to your psyche).
@johnebaker Thank you for the response. I intended to insert the RCA jacks into the corresponding ports on the keyboard and connect it to my PC via a USB port. Is that a useless step?
I always thought USB ports were digital only in/out and I do not see any module. Even low cost A/D-D/A audio interfaces usually cost significantly more than the one mentioned. Unless I am missing something.
For that low price, you could try it.
Hi
. . . . I intended to insert the RCA jacks into the corresponding ports on the keyboard and connect it to my PC via a USB port. Is that a useless step? . . . .
That is exactly what you cannot do, you also risk damaging the USB port, the keyboard - a USB port can output 5V at up to 500mA / 900 mA of current - or both.
There are 2 routes to getting the audio into the computer:
Do not connect the headphone output or the audio out from the keyboard to the microphone input - the voltages are too high and could damage the sound card - if you are using a laptop with a single multipole 3.5mm input/output this is safer to do, however start the headphone volume low.
HTH
John EB
Thank you...
Sorry for being a bit dense here...
Is this what I need?
Vince G.
Yes, perhaps. But please read carefully everything that @rraud and @johnebaker have written about checking very carefully the output levels of your keyboard and the levels that your computer input socket can handle!
By far the best method is to invest in a low cost External Audio Interface, even one as basic as this. You would then connect the output (phono) sockets of your keyboard to the input (phono) sockets of that unit; the connection to your computer would then be via the USB cable. No drivers should be needed since the unit works as Plug and Play. The output sockets of that unit are not needed unless you would like to be able to plug external powered speakers in order to better hear what you are recording, especially if you ever want to overdub an existing recording.
HTH
Jeff
Thank you, all...
Tried the RCA/3.5 adaptor - Could not record a sound. I believe it is because the only port available for the 3.5 connector - Dell calls it an "Audio Combo" port - was not carrying the signal to SFAS... I believe it is a port that will accept either a headphone or a mic, but I'm not sure. There are no other ports for the 3.5 plug, and all the rest of the input to the system are HDMI, USB 2, 3 and C. There is no "Line in" port like I had on my older desktop. See attached.
And if I cannot get audio into the pc, will an external Audio interface device be any different from the RCA/3.5 adaptor? Hard to believe it's this difficult...
A call to Dell is next. Thanks for listening...
Vince G.
The audio interface I suggested will connect via your USB 2 port. No need to use any audio-only port like the 3.5 socket you mention.
HTH
Jeff
In SF, try going to "Options> Preferences> Audio device type / Record tab" and select the mic.. The mic input should work, though it may be distorted feeding it line level.
I have an XPS laptop and the sound settings are confusing with one jack for everything. My older Dell Studio 540 (desktop) has multiple inputs in front and back which are easily configurable in the sound settings.
I think the simplest would be a USB audio interface that has RCA inputs. The USB input should be available for recording in Sound Forge when it is connected at the same Options> Preferences> Audio Device type / Record tab
Hi
How to use the Behringer UCA222 and connect to various devices is in the manual for it see page 8 - you do not need to connect anything the the RCA (phono) outpust on the unit.
John EB