recording an old piano with only an aux out (mono or stereo?)

[Hugh Robjohns]

ok but wouldnt this then just be recording in mono?

Yes... because -- as far as I can see from the manual I've read here: https://cz.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/2/320522/HC4E.PDF -- it's an entirely mono organ. It only generates a monophonic sound. It's built-in speakers comprise a single 7-inch woofer and single 2-inch tweeter. So there is no stereo spread. It's not like an organ with a rotary speaker system that produces spatial sound.

So mono -- as in a single sound channel -- is all it produces, and so mono is all you can record.

im looking to record the instrument to stereo

Perhaps there's some confusion here about the terminology, and maybe you're concerned that recording via a single input of your interface means the sound will only come from, say, the left channel when replayed.

That could happen if the default configuration of the interface or DAW is set up expecting a conventional two-channel stereo input. However, to overcome that problem, all you need to do is set the recording channel's pan control in your interface and/or DAW software to the centre, and then you'll hear the mono signal from the organ on both left and right channels of your speakers and both sides of your headphones.

This format is called dual-mono because there is only a mono signal, but it appears on both channels identically. It's what you hear when the newsreaders and DJs talk on the radio! Stereo music, dual-mono speech!

... starting to think i should just go through the headphone jack... so for that id just get a mono to dual mono (red/white) connector wouldnt i?

Nope. There's a whole new can of worms to wade through if you take that route.

For starters, the headphones still only produce a dual-mono signal. You have exactly the same organ sound in both earpieces.

Secondly, the headphone output us likely to be noisier than the dedicated Aux output.

And thirdly, if you wanted to record from the headphone output you'd need to use a cable like this with a TRS quarter-inch plug at the headphone socket end, and a pair of TS plugs at the interface end:
[img]
https://d1aeri3ty3izns.cloudfront.net/m ... review.jpg[/img]

...but you'll still only have a dual-mono recording.

H

[Hugh Robjohns]

....as you could just duplicate the track and put it left and right which would also do nothing....

Don't need to duplicate anything. Just record the mono organ output to single mono track in your computer, and PAN it to the centre so it replays on both the left and right channel.

H

[Mike Stranks]

Hugh is right... I've just looked at the manual more closely....

... definitely MONO ONLY.

[Sam Spoons]

Being that it is an old, and originally relatively budget, electronic organ I wouldn't be surprised if it was mono. if stereo they would have provided stereo aux?

[Hugh Robjohns]

i thought that the headphone out would be stereo though anyway? hmmm not sure im confused haha

Stereo requires the signals on the left and right channels to be different.

As far as I can see, that's not the case with the HC2 becuase it appears to be an entirely mono instrument, and it simply puts the same information on the left and right sides of the headphone output. This is very common in instruments of that era.

When you listen on headphones I presume you hear all the organ sounds 'in the middle of your head', rather than having a spacious spread of sound?

H

[alexhedleymusic]

Ok! so seems like everyones in agreement that its a mono keyboard so thats cool. can anyone say with any certainty which lead i will need to get to record into my interface from the mono aux out in this case. also if anyone could let me know which lead i would need to also do the same thing but from the headphones that would be cool. then il get both leads and see which one works better. thanks guys appreciate the help

[Hugh Robjohns]

It would help if you could post a picture of the Aux Out socket so we can confirm absolutely whether it's an RCA-phono or not.

But if it looks like a single one of these (the kind of connectors you find on the back of most hi-fi equipment):

You'll need the RCA-TS cable I mentioned first above -- and just use one half of it as discussed!

If you want to use the headphone output instead (although you won't then be able to hear the instrument through it's own speakers as you play), you need the second cable type I described above.

H

[Mike Stranks]

From aux out:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-8m-6-35mm-1-4-MONO-Jack-Plug-to-Single-RCA-PHONO-Cable-Audio-Mixer-Amp-Lead/360671065949?hash=item53f9abb75d:g:U2sAAOSw8gVX~1GM&frcectupt=true

From Headphone out:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3m-6-35mm-Stereo-Jack-to-2-x-6-35mm-1-4-Mono-Jacks-Cable-Insert-Lead-BEST-PRICE/281703383337?hash=item4196d48129:g:pDYAAOSwfp9bC9ZI

But measure the size of the headphone socket. If it's about 1/4" that's the right plug. If it's a smaller socket then you need this lead:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-2m-3-5mm-STEREO-AUX-Jack-to-2-x-6-35mm-1-4-MONO-Plugs-AMP-GUITAR-Cable-Lead/320715380960?hash=item4aac2058e0:g:ld8AAOSwNRdX9NcJ&frcectupt=true

[Sam Spoons]

This lead that Hugh linked would be best.

I wouldn't bother trying the headphone out, the aux will be better (except in the unlikely event that is isn't working)

[alexhedleymusic]

cant work out how to attach the image from my phone

[Hugh Robjohns]

Sorry -- you need to post the image up in a public access hosting site, and then paste the link here. It's a faff... but of we didn't work that way our servers would be groaning under the strain of millions of images, and our hosting costs would be massively higher than they already are!

There's more information here: https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=62135

H

[alexhedleymusic]

ok so, i cant post an image as my phones also being annoying and wont connect to the internet so its all going balls up basically. so are we saying that we have an two outcomes to my supposed photograph. either its an rca out or the other one cant remember what its called... the two letter one.. was it ts?... im starting to get frustrated about not being able to talk to someone at yamaha about this as everythings all telephone robots and stuff... so im thinking that if i just buy both of these leads then one will be right wnt they?

[alexhedleymusic]

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=aux+o ... CjU3qq6oaM:


it looks like one of these ones... not the red and white sticky out ones

[Hugh Robjohns]

A little difficult to tell from that image, but I'm 99% certain they are recessed RCA-phono sockets (with black rather than red/white inserts).

Here's a slightly better image:

H

[alexhedleymusic]

A little difficult to tell from that image, but I'm 99% certain they are recessed RCA-phono sockets (with black rather than red/white inserts).

Here's a slightly better image:

H

hey hugh yeah just checked and they look like that but theyre kind of stuck out a little bit on a silver type casing thing for the output. annoying i cant get you guys the actual photo but for some reason i cant get my phone to upload the pic... hmm. either way its a choice between two different things right? sorry i know iv'e asked this many times but i keep getting lost in all the posts. so it could be one of two leads is that correct? if so which leads are these again? sorrryyyy hopefully this will be the last question il ask and il just get both leads

[Sam Spoons]

99% certain a phono/RCA 'jack' that you need, see above for pic.

[alexhedleymusic]

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=yamah ... nFrKOrDAtM:


they look almost identical to this. i know this is a bit different to the original post i posted but i just checked again and they have that silver bit on them like the ones in this. they look very similar if not identical to this

[alexhedleymusic]

99% certain a phono/RCA 'jack' that you need, see above for pic.

https://www.gear4music.com/G4M/Jack-Pho ... DMQAvD_BwE

so one of these?
also dont know if this helps but the mini jack from my headphones doesnt fit in the aux out so that means it will be one of these right? as a normal aux cable for like ipods etc is the same as mini headphone jack?

[Wonks]

I'm finding it impossible to find a single male RCA to 1/4" TS jack, but this has two of them for a low price.
https://www.stagedepot.co.uk/essentials/signal-data-cable/line-cable-audio-adapter/stagg-high-quality-line-cable-2-x-14-mono-jack?sku=ST-STC060PCM&gclid=CjwKCAjwmq3kBRB_EiwAJkNDp0zIP0HpLe17mEDq0NhZuwBWjBD9nTMLQ9KvlV_3zKIES3wgzfIEnhoC_tMQAvD_BwE

You'll probably want to pick the 3m or 6m option from the selection box.

[alexhedleymusic]

I'm finding it impossible to find a single male RCA to 1/4" TS jack, but this has two of them for a low price.
https://www.stagedepot.co.uk/essentials/signal-data-cable/line-cable-audio-adapter/stagg-high-quality-line-cable-2-x-14-mono-jack?sku=ST-STC060PCM&gclid=CjwKCAjwmq3kBRB_EiwAJkNDp0zIP0HpLe17mEDq0NhZuwBWjBD9nTMLQ9KvlV_3zKIES3wgzfIEnhoC_tMQAvD_BwE

You'll probably want to pick the 3m or 6m option from the selection box.

thank you!. would this one be the same also? only i know from gear for music i should be able to get it tomorrow. was planning on starting tomorrow

[Hugh Robjohns]

Something like this:



https://www.amazon.co.uk/Twin-Phono-6-35mm-Jacks-Cable/dp/B005JKYI86/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1552644837&sr=1-3&keywords=RCA-phono+to+quarter-inch+jack

Obviously, you'll need to buy something of an appropriate length. And, as I said before, all the cables of this type will be supplied in pairs. Some will be two physically separate cables, and some will have the cables fixed to each other (as the example above is -- although it's usually quite simple to split them if that's what you need).

There are many different brands and suppliers -- the above is just an example, not a specific recommendation (although I'm sure it would be fine).

The only thing to beware is that a lot use RCA-Phono plugs with bulky bodies that may not fit nicely onto the keyboard socket if it is recessed. The ones shown above have a long outer metal sleeve which should fit nicely on a recessed socket.

H

[alexhedleymusic]

I'm finding it impossible to find a single male RCA to 1/4" TS jack, but this has two of them for a low price.
https://www.stagedepot.co.uk/essentials/signal-data-cable/line-cable-audio-adapter/stagg-high-quality-line-cable-2-x-14-mono-jack?sku=ST-STC060PCM&gclid=CjwKCAjwmq3kBRB_EiwAJkNDp0zIP0HpLe17mEDq0NhZuwBWjBD9nTMLQ9KvlV_3zKIES3wgzfIEnhoC_tMQAvD_BwE

You'll probably want to pick the 3m or 6m option from the selection box.

thank you!. would this one be the same also? only i know from gear for music i should be able to get it tomorrow. was planning on starting tomorrow

https://www.gear4music.com/G4M/Jack-Pho ... DMQAvD_BwE

forgot the link

[Hugh Robjohns]

they look almost identical to this.

Yep. Definitely RCA-Phono sockets.

[Hugh Robjohns]

https://www.gear4music.com/G4M/Jack-Phono-Cable-Dual-Mono-1m/1090?origin=product-ads&campaign=PLA+Shop+-+GENERIC&adgroup=GENERIC&medium=vertical_search&network=google&merchant_id=1279443&product_id=46980d1&product_country=GB&product_partition_id=121022108479&gclid=CjwKCAjwmq3kBRB_EiwAJkNDp9cMiagOsEeg2Ax5ezMRh_Wvm9fFt_NdGV0WsfYfDrY6-mMuJn9MgxoCgDMQAvD_BwE
so one of these?

Yes. That would be ideal -- and you'll be able to peel the two sides apart easily so you have two separate cables if that's more convenient.

also dont know if this helps but the mini jack from my headphones doesnt fit in the aux out

Yes. Definitely not a 3.5mm mini-jack socket. Definitely an RCA-phono socket.

[alexhedleymusic]

Something like this:



https://www.amazon.co.uk/Twin-Phono-6-35mm-Jacks-Cable/dp/B005JKYI86/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1552644837&sr=1-3&keywords=RCA-phono+to+quarter-inch+jack

Obviously, you'll need to buy something of an appropriate length. And, as I said before, all the cables of this type will be supplied in pairs. Some will be two physically separate cables, and some will have the cables fixed to each other (as the example above is -- although it's usually quite simple to split them if that's what you need).

There are many different brands and suppliers -- the above is just an example, not a specific recommendation (although I'm sure it would be fine).

The only thing to beware is that a lot use RCA-Phono plugs with bulky bodies that may not fit nicely onto the keyboard socket if it is recessed. The ones shown above have a long outer metal sleeve which should fit nicely on a recessed socket.

H

https://www.gear4music.com/G4M/Stagg-2- ... ad-3m/1W4G

would this one be ok. i can get it tomorrow if i do it from gear for music