Recording Nord Piano in Stereo?

[ADkeys]

Hi guys,

I've been working on filming myself live over the lockdown. I've had some reasonable results and even surprised myself!

My question is; how do you feel about recording the Nord piano sounds in mono?

My setup is Logic Pro X with an Audient iD14, which is a 2 channel interface. I've been recording piano and vocals at the same time. I'm using one channel for Nord piano and the other for my vocals.

I'm thinking of upgrading the interface to a 4 channel. I'm just not sure how vital it is to record the piano sounds in stereo.

I'm aware the NP4 sounds are stereo samples with a mono option. Just asking for some opinions and whether any one has had experience of both mono and stereo recordings with the piano sounds.

Thanks in advance!

[SteveNordP3]

Nord stereo pianos are almost exactly like going in to the world’s best studios, with the best engineers, the best mics/preamps, to record the best pianos...

Mono is still nice and depending on your purposes may be just fine especially if you don’t want to expand your interface. But the difference between mono and stereo is stunning...

Good luck either way!

[dhbp-nord]

Get your self a small inexpensive submixer to increase channels.

D.

[Walrus44]

Mono pianos are kinda boring, unless they're hidden deep enough in the mix that they can hardly be heard.
For just vocal and piano, stereo piano is very much preferred.

[SteveNordP3]

Get your self a small inexpensive submixer to increase channels.

D.

This is a great idea. You can get a 4-channel Mackie for $100US - that would allow you to get a stereo piano and mono vocal sent on a L/R output to your 2 channel interface and there you have it!

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... nnel-mixer

[ADkeys]

Thanks guys. Really good to have this feedback and info! I already have a small 6 channel mixer. From what dhbp-nord and SteveNordP3 have said, it sounds like a great idea.

To set this up, do I take leads from the outs on the mixer, which would usually go to the speakers and plug them into the two channels of my iD14?

From the replies so far, I think I will avoid mono pianos! Thanks again.

[Schorsch]

Yes that’s one way. Which mixer are you using? If it has something like monitor outs or group outs you can also use these to go into your iD14 and still are able to hear what you’re playing through the speakers

[fieldflower]

Using a mixer will work great if You want to record totally live and not tweak individual EQ and levels on vocals and piano afterwards.

But if You want to be able to tweak and perfect in mixing afterwards You'll need more channels for recording (or going with mono piano, but as stated above that's not a great solution).

[ADkeys]

Hi Schorsch. I would use an Allen and Heath zed 6.

I would probably want to EQ vocals a bit in Logic, after recording. So if that isn't possible, maybe I'll have to upgrade to a 4 channel interface.

Was looking at the iD44. Most of the other 4 channel interfaces seem to be more software controlled which seems like a convoluted way of doing things.

Thanks again for all the help! If there's any other way of dong this please let me know.

[SteveNordP3]

Hi Schorsch. I would use an Allen and Heath zed 6.

I would probably want to EQ vocals a bit in Logic, after recording. So if that isn't possible, maybe I'll have to upgrade to a 4 channel interface.

Was looking at the iD44. Most of the other 4 channel interfaces seem to be more software controlled which seems like a convoluted way of doing things.

Thanks again for all the help! If there's any other way of dong this please let me know.

If you want to (separately) EQ vocals, either do that in the Allen Heath before you send it to your interface or you’ll need more channels in your interface. The mixer idea works to send one final stereo mix to your 2 channel interface - it will help you get a stereo piano and mono vocal (3 channels) in to your 2 channel interface, but it’s mixed so any EQ you apply to the voice will also apply to the piano.

Good luck!