How To Record Music With A Clavinova?

One of the most recognized and trustworthy producers of digital pianos is Yamaha. From their Clavinova series, which has features that musicians seek in a piano, comes one of their most exceptional and popular digital pianos. 

Musicians can record on Clavinova pianos in a variety of formats, including MIDI files, MP3s with five resolutions, and WAV files (ideal for CD recording). Vocals may also be used in your recordings because this digital piano can record in audio formats.

Basic Recording 

Fast And Single Recording:

Steps:

1. If you are recording a new song, start by pressing down the “Rec” and “Stop” button at the same time.
2. Next is to choose all items you intend to record including the voice you intend to use, accompaniment, split, etc. 
3. Then click the “Rec” button and begin playing your song.
4. When you’re done playing and recording, click the “Stop” button.
5. Lastly, listen to your recording by pressing Play/Pause to playback.

Multi-Track Recording:

Steps:

1. If you are recording a new song, start by pressing down the “Rec” and “Stop” button at the same time.
2. Click the “Direct Access” button followed by the “Metronome” buttons in order to set your song’s time signature.
3. Next is to set the tempo of your song by clicking the Tempo “+” and “-” buttons.
4. Set the voice you intend to record.
5. Then click and hold the “Rec” button while looking at the bottom of the display locating “↑” and “↓” and selecting what part number you want to record. Once set, release the “Rec” button and either “↑” or “↓” button.
6. Turn on the metronome and modify the tempo if needed.
7. Begin playing if the first note starts on “count 1”. If not, click the “Play/Pause” button to start recording and count the rests until the part starts.
8. When you’re done recording the part, click the “Stop” button followed by the “Exit” button to close the “Warning Window”.
9. For additional parts, repeat procedures four to nine.
10. Lastly, listen to your recording by pressing Play/Pause to playback.

Saving Your Recording:

Steps:

1. Begin by pressing the “Song Select” button.
2. Next is to select where to save your recordings either to the Internal or External memory. You can browse your storage options at the top of your display screen by pressing the tab “<” and “>”. If you intend to save the recording in a flash drive, it must be plugged in.  
3. Locate and click button 6 or the “↓” button just below the word “Save.”
4. Then with the  “↑” or “↓” button, enter your recording’s title.
5. After, click button 8 to save the recording. It is located beneath the word “Ok”
6. Lastly, click the “Direct Access” button followed by the “Exit” button to go back to the main screen.

Advanced Recording With Vocals

It is typically advised to start with a standard MIDI file whenever you intend to add vocals to your recordings because this file type is easy to edit and enables musicians to fine-tune their tracks before adding their vocals.

The Yamaha Clavinova allows you to record your tunes in a variety of ways. However, single-pass recording and multi-track recording are two of the most popular types that are often employed. The above procedure is for documenting those. 

Here is a collection of voice addition styles, along with instructions on how to do so correctly and with ease in your work.

Changing The Speed Of Your Recording Before Adding Vocals:

Steps:

1. On the left side of your control panel, locate the “Tempo” button and adjust the tempo of your recording based on your desired speed. One advantage of the Clavinova is that you can listen to your song while changing its tempo.
2. Once you have chosen the tempo of your liking, on the song control area, locate and press the “Stop” button. It is essential to do this process first before resaving the file because you are modifying its “Setup” message.
3. On your display screen, select “Menu” and proceed to page two of the icons. You should be able to find and select “Song Creator.”
4. After this, on the display of your Clavinova, select the word “Setup”. Once done, the display will flash all possible options you can save to begin your MIDI file. Check “Tempo” and press execute. 
5. Once completed, press “Close.”
6. The next thing to do is save your song and its new tempo. At the top of the page, touch the “Download” icon and select where you want to save the file, either in the internal or external memory. After doing so, select “Save Here” and enter the name of your file. 

It’s important to note that before recording any vocals, you will need to follow the same steps and save your modifications if you wish to change your microphone’s settings. Before choosing “Execute,” make sure “Vocal Harmony/Mic Setting” is checked on the “Setup” page of your piano’s “Songcreator.” 

Setting Your Recording’s Output To Your Needed Audio Format:

Steps:

1. On your Clavinova’s main display, select “Menu.”
2. Proceed to the second page of “Icons.”
3. Select the “Song Setting” Icon.
4. Touch “Rec” and proceed to page 2.
5. You will see a list of the various audio recording formats in this section, including Wav, MP3 128kbps, MP3 256kbps, and MP3 320kbps. Select your desired audio format.
6. Lastly, close the “Audio Rec format” display and select “Home” to return to the main display.

It is highly advised to choose an MP3 audio format if you want to share your recording on social media. If you want to send it via email, choose an MP3 256kbps audio format because it keeps good quality and is small enough to fit in an email.

Once you have selected your recording’s audio format, you may now include your vocals using the steps below:

1. Continuing from the “Main” display, select “Song Titles” which is located on the right side of the display.
2. Choose the song you intend to add your vocals to.
3. Plug your microphone into your Clavinova.
4. Once you’re all set, on the Song Control Area, click “Play” to record. Here, you may adjust your balance controls and microphone volume to ensure that your voice fits and match the song perfectly and vice-versa.

Recording Vocals Using A 16GB USB Flash Drive: 

Steps:

1. Starting from the “Main” Display of your piano, bring up the “Song Select Menu” by selecting the song area.
2. Select the song you intend to include vocals to.
3. On the lower left of the “Song Menu”, you will see an “Arrow” icon next to the file. Ensure that you have checked the song title you want to add your vocals to.
4. Locate and select the “Audio” icon, illustrated as a sound wave pattern.
5. Select “Convert.”
6. After doing so, your song will start to play and you may start adding your vocals. Anything you sing into the microphone will be included in your previous recorded song.
7. Once the song ends, your recording will automatically be saved to your USB flash drive or internal memory and will be located in the audio folder with a similar title as your MIDI file. 

Listen And Playback Your Recordings With Your Vocals:

Steps:

1. Complete and follow all procedures listed above, whether you plan to record vocals or not, using the style of recording method you choose.
2. In your Clavinova Display, select “Song Area” and click the “Audio” Tab.
3. Select your song title and click on “Play” in the “Song Control Area.” 
4. Listen and enjoy!

You can record a new recording if you don’t like the one you already have. Simply load your MIDI file and redo the whole process.