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I cannot get Audacity to recognize my Casio 330 through my USB out port (or the Midi cables). I decided not to use the sound card for input because it is tinny and does not replicate the Casio's piano samples. I am experimenting with a borrowed copy of Cubase LE4. My computer seems to have the proper drivers for the Casio built into XP, and there is a driver update from Casio which I could use, if needed.

I'm wondering if Audacity is capable of handling direct USB computer input. Do they have technical support for this free ware?

It sounds like there is some confusion. The USB interface on your PX-330 operates in two modes: MIDI or data transfer. It does not send an audio signal. Only the "Line Out" connections on your PX-330 can do that.

Audacity only records audio signals, so it is not the program to use if you are using the USB interface on your PX-330. It is a program you can use if you're using the "Line Out" interface.

If you use the USB interface in MIDI mode, you can only send MIDI signals to your computer. These signals are just data about which note was played, and how hard the key was struck. Your computer then generates the piano sound. You can have your computer do this "in real time" as you play the PX-330, and/or tell your computer to record the MIDI data about as you play. Then your computer can play it back later -- again generating the piano sounds on its own. This will not be the piano sound from your PX-330.

You can also use the "record" feature on your PX-330 to record what you play. It will then generate a MIDI file and saved it to the PX-330's memory. Set your PX-330's USB interface to data transfer mode, and you can copy this MIDI file to your computer and play it back there. Like the above scenario, when you play it back, the computer will generate the piano sound. (I believe you can also use the PX-330's memory card slot to copy a MIDI file from the PX-330 to the computer.)

MIDI will not replicate the piano samples from your PX-330. If you really want to record the piano samples from your PX-300, you'll have to use the "Line Out" audio interface, connected to the "Line In" on your computer (or another audio-recording device.) Though depending on what software you're using on your computer, if you go the MIDI route you might find something that generates an even nicer piano sound than the PX-330 does. Check out, for example, this YouTube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byuW6xU4b2g

It's a Privia, but he's recorded only the MIDI data, and the sound is actually generated from a computer program which, in my opinion, sounds better than the built-in Privia sounds. But that is just a matter of opinion.

Very helpful response.

My main effort is to record my playing with the Casio 330 samples for later conversion to mP3 or burned to a CD. The clerk at the store was showing me a Tascam with USB etc. for $129.00 to avoid using my sound card. When I told him about the USB out, and he read the 330 manual, he thought I could avoid buying additional hardwrae and just record the audio to software. I have Audacity. The line in for Audacity is from the sound card only, as far as I can tell. The sound is totally unacceptable. Now I am trying out Cubase LE4. I started to read the manual. Will this allow me to record audio? (I'm not needing a MIDI recorder, as I have Cakewalk). If not, I will have to buy the Tascam or H2 Zoom etc. In the future, I might consider MIDI samples. I have looked at Akoustik Piano, and they now make newer and different piano samples. I'd appreciate your continued thoughts on this complicated post.

Best,

Sandy

Sandy,
You would want to use the Line Out Jacks from the 330 and run direct into your computer Line In on the sound card. But this will not produce the best sound as you found out. So you can buy an audio interface such as what you were looking at for $129 and connect your 330 line outs to that and connect your audio interface into your computer. This will be your sound card and should also fix any latency issues. You can then record into Audacity and save as an MP3. The USB port on the 330 is strictly to transfer MIDI files from your computer into the piano memory or from the piano to the computer. But it is a MIDI file that will need VISTI plug ins to sound decent.

Hi Sandy,

If you want to record the piano samples from your PX-330 you're going to have to use the "Line Out" interface on the PX-330 and connect it to the "Line In" interface on your computer. This is true for Audacity, as it is for Cubase. And if your computer's hardware is the limiting factor here -- i.e. the reason why the records are "totally unacceptable" -- then it won't matter if you use Audacity or Cubase.

Unless your computer is extremely old, I am surprised that the recordings sound THAT bad. Double check that you are using your computers "Line In" connection and not the one for the Microphone. And open your audio properties to make sure Line In is the device it'll record from, and adjust the input level to make sure the signal's not being amplified too much or too little by the computer.

Sean,

I will try what you say. But, the limiting factor I believe is my SB Live Value Sound Card in an older PCI slot. I don't know that a newer card would do much better. I have an AMD 64 Windows XP system with 2 gigs ram.

Price wise, I may be better off buying the Tascam US 122L than a new audio card.

Always open to opinions from you guys. I'll get back to you.

Regards,

Sandy

Although this may be totally wrong, the research I've done on sound cards are said to have changed very little during the years, unless if you're using VERY old slot cards, which do LOOK old (the slots are huge :D). I was attempting to upgrade/build a new computer and was in search for the latest and greatest sound card as I thought it was evolving just as much a CPU would be, but alot of users said otherwise. I'm not sure if they are strictly referring to the peripheral aspect such as connecting speakers or the software side such as being able to upload data through devices without the loss of quality.

If extra research would be optional for you, you could ask the various hardware computer forums and see what type of feedback you would get. It usually ends up solving all if not most of your questions.

From my contact with recording musicians, I am satisfied that you are correct about the lack of advancement in sound cards. You may be referring to the old IDE peripheral slots with their older and poorer quality sound cards. Regardless, I'm told that the headroom for all sound cards with respect to audio recording is narrow. I will try again to input my keyboard outs to the sound card input, but I am not optimistic about the quality of the sound after my first experience. I will get back to the List with my results.

Thanks for your response.

sandy

Well, my latest foray into Audacity with my PX330 with a small change in audio connections is not as bad as it was before. Still, it is not really good enough for me, at least, if I want to record my own compositions. I get no clippng as before, but many notes sound tinny or more bell-like. For a quick record it's not too bad. I will try out my Tascam US122L in a little while. If the sound is not markedly better, I'll return it and try something else.

I very much appreciate the help from you well informed folks. I'll let you know what the Tascam does for me, if you're still interested. Gotta learn how to use it first.

Best,

Sandy

I've slipped into analysis paralysis over the past week on keyboards. I want solid sound, good sustaining pedal action, and a decent look. I am currently (since it changes every day) between the Casio PX330 and Yamaha P85. I have carpet and a small entryway through which to get a keyboard. For stability purposes on carpet, it seems with the P85 I would need the solid stand and the optional pedals. Would I need both with the PX330?

I ordered the black wooden stand for my Casio PX330. I expect it will be as sturdy as the wooden stand that came with my old Casio PX100 which was also always on carpet. I think it requires screwing the stand into the sides of the keyboard somewhere. With the PX100, the plastic end caps had to be removed first. The wooden stand reduces the portability dramatically. Also, I think Casio has available the three pedal option as well.

I've never played the P85, although I probably should have. Not sure if the rival piano store in town has one. I suggest you play both, if you have not already. Also, look for a decent return policy just in case.

One thing about the Casio 330 is it has a variety of outputs/inputs and an SD memory card input. I don't know if the P85 has these, or if you even need them.

Good luck!

Sandy

And the action on the PX-330 is not as heavy as it was on the PX-320, which was one important factor that led me to prefer the P-85 at the time. The 320 and 330 undoubtedly have more features than the P-85, so now the difference to the P-85 mainly boils down to how the speakers perform and what the piano sound is like.

I still like the P-85, but the PX-330 seems to be a big improvement over the PX-320...

I spoke to a customer at the piano store yesterday, and he does gigs jammin with digital pianos. He tried the P85 and the PX330. He clearly liked the keyboard of the P85 better than the 330, for his purposes. I'm satisfied with the 330, and I could not appreciate the difference which was very clear to him.

Just thought I'd post this to help you guys out in your decision making.

Sandy

It's great to hear that you are satisfied with the 330. I just recently placed an order for the px-330 so its a relief to still hear happy customers. Should be arriving in a couple of weeks.

Now the challenging part...


The waiting game. lol

Mele Kalikimaka to you! Merry Christmas to all!

I truly enjoy my 330. The piano samples and touch are just great for me. The USB MIDI out works great, as do the 1/4 inch aud outs. Now to try the SD card and the 1/4 inch inputs.

I bought a new USB external SB audio card and now I am satisfied with my recordings through Audacity. My 7 year old card was not good enough.

Thanks once again to all members who helped me on this forum.

Regards,

Sandy

I just bought a new USB external SB audio card for 60 bucks and now I am very satisfied with my recordings through Audacity. My 7 year old card was not good enough.

I found the Cubase LE4 software overwhelming and couldn't get it to work. I returned that Tascam US122L.

Although I also bought a Tascam DR-1 which will be easier to operate than the US122L, I can save a bunch of money by using my new audio card instead.

If you were around here, I'd buy you guys drinks for helping me so much.

Also, if I ever need a Tascam DR1, I can save small fortune by buying online.

Thanks again.

Sandy