Converting SMFs to MP3 - Best method?

I'm thinking of recording/converting my SMF files into MP3. What type of equipment have you used successfully? I have a Tascam U122 usb interface and several PC programs that supposedly record into mp3. Also have a Boss BR-532 digital recorder and a Zoom H2. And what if I want to add a vocal track or two? What's my best bet?

Cass ... I use the ZOOM H4n for recording and can select what I want for output - mp3/wave ... if your H2 allows you to do the same it should not be a problem ...
Then you should be able to record that into your software and record as many tracks as the software allows ...
I've also recorded wave files on the H4n - it allows me to record 4 tracks - and then 'fed' them into ACID Pro ... ACID then lets me save as an mp3 ...
Hope this helps ...
PS how is Andy doing?

I would use your USB audio interface to record into a multitrack DAW program. Whatever you are the most familiar with is probably the best.

But record to .wav. Converting to MP3 should be your LAST step (keep those .wav's, because later on, if you get anything that plays audio, an arranger or a laptop/iPad etc., if you have enough room on it, the original .wav's will sound better).

Once you have recorded the sequence, then overdub any vocals you want (maybe get a guitar playing friend to come in and do some tasty rhythm!) and mix to the final .wav.

As a doublecheck, record yourself singing the lead, mix it in about right, and make sure your background vocals are mixed right (and any sequence part isn't either overpowering or getting lost in the mix) before you commit to that final mix.

If all your sequences are already tweaked so you don't have to mess about with the main volume of the sequence player on the gig, you can probably go ahead and record ALL the sequences without moving anything, which will give you a consistent volume on the gig.

Only after they ALL are recorded, and you feel they are consistent volumes, and ready to go would I convert them to MP3. There are many programs that will do this in one batch for you (even iTunes can do this), so you can set it going and go and have dinner and come back when it is done.

Last advice I would give is, if what you are playing the MP3's on has a decent sized memory (or reads them direct from a stick), go as high on the MP3 encoding as you can... 256-320kbps MP3 files sound SO MUCH better than squeezing them into 128 or 160kbps files! They take up twice as much room, but room isn't the problem it used to be...

Hope this helps.

Cassp, why not use the Audio Recorder built in to the S910? It records to Wav., and very nicely too.

There are lots of programs to convert Wav. to MP3 on your PC.

Ian

MIXCRAFT

Great ideas, guys. Diki's ideas ring true, but Ian's is so simple I forgot all about it. I will try to follow your advice.

TONY, Andy is just fine. I guess you must run into him now and then on your jobs. I didn't know that. I'll tell him I spoke with you.

TBH, Ian's idea is the best for initially recording the .wav... I forgot about the audio recording capability of the 910.

But once recorded, transfer via stick to the computer to add the BV's. At this point, it will be easy to adjust the overall volume of the mix if you have a file a bit louder or quieter than the rest.

You can record both the keyboard and your vocals through the built in recorder on the 910, and save it as a wave file. I, like Donny, use MIXCRAFT to edit, balance, and save the wave file as an MP3.

There are many other programs you can use to record/edit/convert audio files including the popular free Audacity Like Ian said, the 910 does a nice job on it's own if you have everything set up properly on the keyboard before recording.

Can you record the BV's separately on the S910? The problem with laying all this down at the same time is, you goof EITHER part, you are back to square one.

Personally, I would still record the Arranger .Wav's first in the S910, transfer to the computer, and overdub BV's and mix there.

Alternately, TBH, if the audio interface is already set up for the computer DAW, recording the sequence through the USB interface into the computer initially will negate the need to transfer all the .WAV's off the stick.

Lastly, for the ultimate in sound, might I suggest that you use the computer DAW to actually play the SMF into the arranger? There is one strength (several, really) from doing this. Firstly, if you have either other keyboards or VSTi's with better sounds for certain sounds (drums, for instance), you can play those parts through the other keyboard, or route it through a VSTi. Secondly, if you have the time, you can record each sound separately, or at least do submixes (drums, bass, comps, strings, etc.) and then apply better effects and compression independently to each part. You can only do so much within the arranger itself. Better reverbs, drum room convolution impulses, bass amp simulators and things like this can do miracles to fatten up and make realistic some weaker arranger sounds.

Obviously, if you are on a tight timeline, you are best served doing it quick and dirty, but if this is a labor of love, taking your time and multitracking can give you some amazing results.

cass ... actually I 'met' Andy via e-mail through you a couple of years ago and he was a great help to me ...
You raised a great kid ...
t.

Cass,

I'm going to offer you a very simple solution. Download a copy of Audacity and install it in your PC.

Next, connect the output of your arranger keyboard's output to the PC's line-in on the sound card.

Connect your mic to your keyboard's mic input.

At this point you have two options:

1. You can play your midi file(s) directly from your keyboard in real time and record them using Audacity. This will automatically convert your midi file to an audio file during the recording process.

Then, for the vocals, merely record a second track while sing and the first track is being played back on the PC - it's that easy.

2. You can shorten the process by singing through the keyboard while the keyboard is playing the midi file, and record the song in one take by using either Audacity, or using the keyboard's recording system and saving the song as a .wav file on the USB drive.

In my case, I use a Zoom H2, record the song as a midi file in the keyboard and save it on the USB drive, or the keyboard's internal memory. Then, while the midi is playing, I do the vocals and record the entire song, one shot deal, on the H2, which saves it as a MP3 file. If I want to convert is to a .wav file, I use Windows Media Player and burn it to a CD for distribution to my clients and friends.

Nothing to it,

Gary

Nice idea, except I think you have got the MP3 and .WAV process back to front, Gary. Record as .WAV's, then convert to MP3's LAST...

No point in unnecessarily restricting the audio fidelity until you HAVE to.

On the S910 on up, can't you record vocals this way?

1. Record your keyboard performance, and save as a .mid file.

2. Make any necessary adjustment that is needed for audio recording.

3.Play back that .mid song, and while you sing along, record and save it all as a .wav

This of course means you need to pre-balance sounds in the saved .mid as to not drown out the future recording of the singer. (Different than if you were recording and saving an Instrumental). Usually at a point in the song, the singer takes a break, and lets the 'band ' take over. At that point you need to up the volume of the instruments, until it's time for the vocalist to come back in. Some planning ahead will make for a decent recording, all on the keyboard. Of course it won't hurt to fine tune the .wav on a computer program, before saving as an .MP3

One pet peeve of mine (and probably many) is when the singer has this need to sing every note in a song, without letting the band have a solo turn. Somewhere, singers should always take a break in a performance. it makes the song and the singer much more professional like.

Sure, you could probably do everything in the S910. But, given that the OP has already admitted to a dedicated USB-audio converter, is it the easiest OR the quickest..?

TBH, given the FAR better options for punching in and out, 'comping' a great take from several average ones, and the far better vocal pitch correction, compression EQ and reverb that computers offer, I'd say that doing your BV's in the computer is leaps and bounds ahead of doing it in the arranger.

I don't think the OP is looking for an 'arranger only' solution. Just whatever is easiest and more efficient for a given output quality. The S910 is a nice piece of kit... but it doesn't adequately substitute for a computer, DAW and audio interface, IMHO.

Agree, I was just pointing out it is possible to record it all within the keyboard.
I personally record seperate tracks to a computer program, Mixcraft from Acoustica, and fine tune from there...what do you prefer Dikki?

I've been a Cubase man since the days of the Atari..!

Nowadays, I am stuck in OS9 limbo, because a large amount of my hardware (MOTU cards and UAD-1 cards) is PCI, and won't fit in modern computers, but it does the job I need it to, will track 24 tracks simultaneously, and do most of the EQ, comp and reverb work on the UAD's, so my processor rarely gets stressed.

I have an up to date iMac 27" for general computer duties, but having to be forced to buy new hardware, which would be several thousand to upgrade, relegates it to mostly internet duties currently.

Thank you everyone. Gary, I'm going to download Audacity and try that route. I'm also going to experiment with recording directly to the s910.

Casp,

Sorry, its a late reply on this one but thought I`ll share it anyway.

I came across this link Solmire which does it online and there are some parameters which you can change : Soundsource(soundfont to be used), effects etc.
Do give it a try !!

Warm Regards,
Jez