Recording the Krome sounds on my PC

Ricky_jcr · Post by **Ricky_jcr** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:08 am

Hey guys,

I've been having a lot of trouble with figuring out a way to record the Krome sounds. I'm still new to all the technicalities, but I've seen repeated use of DAWs, and Digital recorders like Tascam etc.

My questions are:

1) How do I hook up the Krome to my PC and record its sounds with a DAW (like Reaper for example). Apparently USB doesn't support audio so I have no clue what to do. If someone could explain step by step, I'd be REALLY grateful.

2) Are there any free DAWs available? I downloaded Reaper, but it gave me a 60 day trial period.

P.S. Just to clarify, I don't want my Krome as a MIDI controller for VSTis, I want the actual KORG sounds on my Krome to be recorded. Is there a low cost way for that?

All help appreciated!
Thanks in advance,
Ricky

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 12:26 pm

The first thing you will need is an audio interface. This one from Focusrite is a good one. But note that it only has 2 channels. If you think you will be connecting other gear in the future you should consider something with more channels.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlett2i2/

Reaper is pretty inexpensive and it will do the job. Google "free daw" if you want something free but remember that you get what you pay for.

If you have an iPad Garage Band is free but you will still need some sort of audio interface.

roger2600 · Post by **roger2600** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 1:31 pm

I think the cheapest good audio interface is lexicon alpha. I think it is $59 US. If you have a windows PC you could use the internal sound card. In that case you need to download Asio4all. This is an asio driver that will work with the internal audio card (windows), the download is free. The asio driver is required to get reasonable latencies (lag times) with the internal sound card. Then Go to KVR.com to find a free DAW. These are the cheapest routes. Then the audio L/R outputs of the Krome need to be plugged into the audio in jacks, there is no audio in the USB cable of the Krome. That is used for midi notes only. However you could record midi notes only (no audio going into daw at all. and play back the recording by playing the midi notes back to Krome from the computer sequencer. This would basically be the same as using the internal sequencer in the Krome, all the audio plays back live from the Krome itself. But this way no other sounds like singing can be included in the recording.

Ricky_jcr · Post by **Ricky_jcr** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:31 pm

Hey Eagle, Hey Roger! Thanks for taking the time to reply

Right, so what I could make out, I need a Digital Audio Interface first, and then use that to hook up the Krome to a DAW on my PC.

I should also have been clearer on the fact, that I want my files as mp3, and the KROME's internal sequencer stores it as SNG, so I guess MIDI is a no-no then?

Also, just a few hours ago I hooked up my Krome to MixCraft 6.0. The software recognised the VST Krome Editor, and I also recorded something in the German Dark Grand sound, and it was fine until I tried for a playback.
There was no sound at all, am I missing something?

To be clear, I could see the track recorded (it was in MIDI format), but I have had no issues playing back MIDI tracks on MixCraft before.(Although I was using VSTis before)

I guess I do have to purchase a digital audio interface!

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:51 pm

When you recorded into MixCraft all that was being recorded was the MIDI data. You have no audio data in the PC at this point so just playing back the file does not produce any sound. To hear the sound the same as you played it you would have to route the MIDI from MixCraft back to the tone generator which in your case is the Krome.

But to record the actual audio and create a wav or mp3 file you will need an audio interface.

RllyDrvrIX · Post by **RllyDrvrIX** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 3:14 am

As a new KROME owner this is "the" question for me as well.

I use a Mac with GarageBand and I want that KROME library available.

Sounds like a Lexicon Alpha, left & right outputs into the Alpha then from Alpha to ?where?

I want to keep my studio monitors as an output option as well as headphones. Do I need a switch box for that or am missing something?

A diagram would a great help for this KROME newbie.

Many thanks!

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 11:40 am

I'm not familiar with the Lexicon Alpha but from looking at a picture of it I assume it will suit your needs. Krome audio outs to Lexicon Line In. Lexicon Line Outs to monitors. Lexicon USB to Mac USB. The lexicon has a separate headphone jack in the front.

RllyDrvrIX · Post by **RllyDrvrIX** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:10 pm

Bald Eagle wrote:I'm not familiar with the Lexicon Alpha but from looking at a picture of it I assume it will suit your needs. Krome audio outs to Lexicon Line In. Lexicon Line Outs to monitors. Lexicon USB to Mac USB. The lexicon has a separate headphone jack in the front.

That is great info, thank you!!!

Ricky_jcr · Post by **Ricky_jcr** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 7:04 pm

Just one question here, since I've never actually used a digital audio interface, do they stereo inputs for the Krome, because it sounds horrendous in mono.

Also, just a little tip if someone reading this doesn't have a digital audio interface, something I did a lot because I was too lazy to buy one,
Try plugging the Keyboard into a guitar processor, and route it to a patch with NO EFFECTS, that way you get more less the raw sound of the keyboard, and the Processor acts as an interface for you to record your stuff on a DAW.

Its a real lazy way to record, but it works

Ricky_jcr · Post by **Ricky_jcr** » Sun Jun 15, 2014 9:48 am

Guys, just found these:

http://www.maudio.co.uk/products/en_gb/MTrackPlus.html -> 2 channel with digital I/O

and

http://www.maudio.co.uk/products/en_gb/MTrack.html -> 2 channel but NO Digital I/O

My question is will either of these work to as an AI for my Krome?
And what does digital I/O do? Is it necessary for recording purposes?

thanks

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Sun Jun 15, 2014 11:32 am

Both will work using the standard 1/4 inch analog audio inputs. You wont need the digital I/O.

The digital I/O on that interface is SPDIF coax. It would be useful for keyboards that have a digital SPDIF output which the Krome does not have. A digital interface provides a "perfect" signal between the keyboard and PC since its all just data and no analog to digital conversion is required.

Ricky_jcr · Post by **Ricky_jcr** » Sun Jun 15, 2014 12:07 pm

Ah I see, hope the sound quality won't suffer because of the Krome's lack of one?
I love the EDS-X engine, and I bought the Krome, simply because the Kronos is out of my budget.

Which reminds me, do any of the high-end Korg WSs have better integration with DAWs e.g. Kronos, OASYS? Or do you use AIs for those too?

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Sun Jun 15, 2014 1:51 pm

The sound quality wont suffer as long as you have a good signal path (cables, audio interface, etc).

All Korg workstations claim to have great DAW integration and the Kronos can even technically be used as the audio interface. But marketing claims and reality are all subjective and your mileage may vary.

You best bet regardless of the synth model is to use an audio interface. Your success with integration will vary depending on the sum of all other hardware and software components in the mix. But this is the case with any synth, not just Korg.

RllyDrvrIX · Post by **RllyDrvrIX** » Sun Jun 15, 2014 5:44 pm

RllyDrvrIX wrote:
Bald Eagle wrote:I'm not familiar with the Lexicon Alpha but from looking at a picture of it I assume it will suit your needs. Krome audio outs to Lexicon Line In. Lexicon Line Outs to monitors. Lexicon USB to Mac USB. The lexicon has a separate headphone jack in the front.
That is great info, thank you!!!

Lexicon ALPHA arrived, all cabled up and this is great! I setup the iMac so that all sounds come out of my monitors (or headphones) and both GarageBand and Logic will read and record the sound patches from the KROME.

This is great stuff!!!!

Thanks for the help!

jnaut · Post by **jnaut** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 6:49 pm

Bald Eagle wrote:The first thing you will need is an audio interface. This one from Focusrite is a good one. But note that it only has 2 channels. If you think you will be connecting other gear in the future you should consider something with more channels.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlett2i2/

Reaper is pretty inexpensive and it will do the job. Google "free daw" if you want something free but remember that you get what you pay for.

If you have an iPad Garage Band is free but you will still need some sort of audio interface.

Bald Eagle,

I asked this very question in the forums some time back and you gave me great advice. I purchased Sonar X3 and an a Focusrite 6i6 and it's working great. Just wanted to come back and thank you. I'm having a blast with everything and the recording fidelity is amazing.