Hi AB Team,

Well I've been busting my butt traveling for business all over the country. I just got back last night to find the Zoom H4 I ordered had arrived! I test-drove it tonight with these two recordings. Neither is my best playing (I've been on the road alot so practice time is minimal) but I wanted to share in my excitement that now I can record! These were played a bit cold so please forgive a pause in the Chopin near the end and a somewhat sloppy Bach. Also remember that I've been playing less than a year :p

I'd love to know what you think about both the playing and the sound quality. Now I can participate in recitals and everything. I'm so excited!

Bach Minuet
http://www.box.net/public/56vm1l8lbr

Chopin Largo
http://www.box.net/public/08fyg1rqel

Very nice! Having made my first recording today, I know how much fun it is to be able to listen to yourself play. I have to say that after trying it, I really[/b] admire professional musicians. Being able to turn in a virtuoso performance of a difficult piece with the red light glaring at you is really impressive!

I liked the sound quite a bit, it's a lot more balanced than my setup. What kind of piano and where was the zoom placed?

Thanks for sharing your recordings! Great job!

Thanks Greg! (BTW, where is Boerne?)

I have a Yamaha upright acoustic - a PE112 - and I simply put the windscreen on the mic of the H4, put a cloth on top of the piano (to avoid scratching) then centered the mic on top of the exact center of the piano. The Zoom has an automatic gain control, so just before you record you bang the keys as loud as you can, then it sets its levels knowing that that is the maximum volume you will put out. It is a snap and I was really impressed with the quality after only a little trial and error.

This weekend when I have more time I will experiment with opening the top of the piano and placing it inside to see what it sounds like. I have a few more pieces I'd like to record, but I kept flubbing them tonight so I'm going to conquer the red dot over the weekend. It is funny how you get nervous playing for a machine.

When I used to DJ I had to record sets of continuous mixing in one take and those sets could be up to 90 minutes of beatmatching, effects mixing, key mixing, etc. It was underground dance music so any break in the rhythm or build up could ruin a whole mix. One screwup, whether in minute 1 or minute 81, meant the whole thing was down the drain. So I think I'll have the red-dot nerves conquered soon :-)

Welcome to Zoomland, HouseHead78!! I thought your recordings were great. Are these straight from the Zoom or did you normalize them first?

I haven't tried the windscreen yet on my Zoom, but that's on my long list of things to experiment with (including various placements etc.).

p.s. And now YOU don't have an excuse not to turn anything in for the first recital, either!

Thanks Monica! These were straight from the Zoom. I recorded the Bach last and I like the quality of it the best. I was moving the unit around a bit and found just subtle changes in the mic's position towards the front or back of the piano made a huge difference. I used the windscreen because my house is open, with lots of glass and concrete, echoy, and modern. It gets alot of ambient noise so I thought that would help. Plus I feel like a sportscaster with it in front of me :-)

HouseHead78,

Beautiful playing. It's evident you've spent many hours at the keyboard. Keep us up-to-date on your current piano projects, if you are so inclined. I'll keep an ear off for 'ya.

BTW, Monica asked if you had "normalized" the files. Just in case you don't know, normalizing brings the volume up and makes it easier for many with tiny computer speakers to hear your music better.

Continued success with your playing and recording.

Really nice and clean recording. If you normalized the files try to put some reverb in it.

Serge

Wow that sounds great! Nice to see you again HouseHead.

[Edit] Congratulations on 100 posts, too.

I thought your playing sounded great, Househead78! The sound was very soft on my laptop though, even with volume turned right up. You may want to experiment with 'normalisation' as someone suggested.

Congratulations on your first recording. My zoom arrived today as well, however, unlike you, I have been unable to figure it out Once I get my kids into bed I shall be asking you for tips

About 100 miles SSW of you, in the hill country between San Antonio and Fredericksburg.

No recent practice, only being playing a year? HouseHead, you are brilliant!

Thanks for the tips and the compliments on my playing!

OK, so how do I "normalize"

Thanks MaryRose, (blushes), but I think it's mostly hard work and persistence. However, it is nice to hear all that validated by that simple statement. You made my day (and it's only 7AM) - thanks!

That sounded great! Lisztener mentioned "normalizing" would help people with tiny speakers, and that's me. I got a big sound from you without going up more than halfway on my volume. I got a little buzzing on your bigger chords, but I don't play things anywhere but my computer, so it could just be my own setup.

I thought your Bach sounded especially good. You chose two very nice contrasting pieces for your first recording. I, too, am very impressed with how far your year of piano has brought you. It must give you a lot of joy to be able to play so well!

Nancy

wow very nice HH. You are an inspiration!!!

Download Audacity free from the web... open up your Zoom file in it, hit edit-select all then effects-normalize, and that's it.

You may also want to experiment more with your auto gain. Rather than playing as "loudly as possible" when the red light is flashing, just play the loudest sections of the piece as you would normally. I believe the auto-gain uses that volume to set a kind of "max" level... so if you play appreciably louder during the sample than you do in the piece, it may record the real piece at too low of a level. (I know what I'm trying to say here, but I bet it didn't make much sense. Maybe one of the audio experts can explain it better.)

Nah that makes sense even to me. My problem was if it got set too low I would get an obnoxious sound during louder sections. I have a feeling this will be an ongoing experiment - but at least it will be a fun one!

I just have to add my bravos (bravas)??

You've only been playing a year! I think you are doing a super job. Be proud of yourself!!

Kathleen

Thanks Kathleen! I appreciate the kind words. Especially from such a Chopin enthusiast. I'm working on the Prelude in E-Minor now, and it's coming together well except the tough middle section is slow going.

I will - of course - post a recording when I can get one I like.

I'll add my compliments to those of the others. I think both were well played and your recording quality is quite good. Great job, HouseHead78. Let us hear more, please.

HouseHead78,

That's some beautiful playing!

You play the Bach crisply and precisely and the Chopin powerfully and expressively.

When you factor in that you've been playing for less that a year, your talent is just plain amazing.

Thanks a lot for posting these.

The deadling for submitting a piece for the Feb.15 Recital is Feb.14. (Hint)


Mel

Wow you guys! This is awesome to hear! I am very flattered and inspired to keep working at this.

I will work hard on recording some stuff for the recital.

Cheers to you all!

That was really wonderful playing. Thank you for sharing with us. You are doing exceptionally well especially for one who has been playing for less than a year. You have a nice touch, and your trills in the Bach were nice and even. You are indeed talented.
Your recording come through just fine over my speakers. I had them set at normal volume.Gaby tu.

househead78, um, i think you better take that new pianist signature line out, and put advancing pianist!!! you are doing fantastic!!!

Thanks so much - you all rock!