So after some research, it appears that the Roland FP-7F, while it does have a feature to save to USB, does not save the file as a Wav or MP3 that maintains the supernatural piano sound. I tried it, and in fact all I got was a midi file.

From my understanding, it seems I'd need an interface to record the actual Roland sound - like a tri-capture from Roland. Is this true, or is there anything else I can do? Can I connect the keyboard via USB to my mac and somehow record it like that? Note that I want to record the Roland's supernatural piano and have it as a wav.

Connect the FP-7F's line out jacks to your Mac's line/audio in and record the sound using a free tool like Audacity.

James
x

Hmmm. I thought the Roland does record audio files to the USB device. Strange.

If the line-in on your computer is insufficiently good, you can get an inexpensive(ish) external audio interface like M-audio fast track pro, presonus audiobox usb, or focusrite 2i2.

If you want to record only short pieces (I think it's about 60 sec), you can try the Looper function. I haven't tried it yet but look at page 60 of the users manual. For longer recording you need to use the line-out.

Another nice program that will record to mp3 or wav.

http://www.mp3mymp3.com/

Aside from line-in, would connecting a midi to use cable or usb directly to the computer work as well?

No, the USB/MIDI cables are just sending very basic note on/note off data, not digital audio.

James
x

Ah, that's what I thought. I am trying to search, but what cable should I use for the line out from the Roland to the Mac?

I see it has Left and Right, is it a RCA left/right cable and then the end to the Mac?

Assuming the FP-7F's outputs are standard 1/4" RCA jacks, and your Mac's line-in is a standard mini jack, one of these will do the job:



Cheers,
James
x

I bought that cable, and was able to record only through the headphone out of the FP7F to the line-in of my mac.

For some reason, when connected to the output of the FP7F, I heard no sound. What did I do wrong? There is a lot of clipping, noise, and static through the headphone out.

Sounds like levels and/or impedences are not matched between whatever output and input you are using.

Unplug your headphones

Is the line-in on the Mac a dedicated line-in, or does it also function as a mic input? If it's a dual function input, you need to make sure it is configured for line-in first. Perhaps you could connect the output of the Mac to the input, play a test tone or some music, and see if you can get a healthy level on the input. You don't necessarily have to record anything - if the Mac has a way of monitoring the level on the input, you can just use it to begin with. It's tricky, because the output level may not be the same as the input level. This is the case on my laptop - the maximum output level is more than twice the maximum input level. (no experience with Macs)

If the FP7F has a strong headphone output, you may have to reduce the volume a lot to get a good recording. Not sure why you can't get anything out of the line out of the FP7F. Just maybe, if the Mac is configured for mic input rather than line input, the signal from the FP7F is completely swamping the Mac, to the extent that no sound at all is recorded. However, I think the same thing would have happened with the headphone out, so this is probably not the case. Maybe it's just the connections when you are using the line out of the FP7F.

Greg.