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I want to record my playing exactly.
I play the piano emotionally pressing the key differently.
How can I record my piano without missing the playing detail?
Should I buy sound card?
My digital piano is Yamaha P-155.

Get a audio interface and record it. Or buy a Zoom like device.

The P-155 has built-in recording capability.

Or, if you have a computer get an audio interface and a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation software) and connect using the MIDI IN/OUT (best) or Audio Out.

The P155 owner's manual has a section titled:

"Recording Your Performance".

That _may_ do what you want. What's actually recorded isn't the _sound_ of the piano; it's the MIDI signals from the keyboard that make it generate that sound.

So you can play back the "recording" through the piano, but you can't send it to your friends to listen to.

To record the _sound_, you could use the sound card already in your computer (most computers have them). You might want to buy a higher-quality sound card -- but the built-in cards do CD-quality recording.

A ZOOM recorder is nice, but it isn't cheap.

. Charles

You`ll have an internal recording facility; if you get a recording of what you do, you can then play it straight onto the computer through free "audacity" or some other programme. via the headphone output of the piano, and the "line in" stereo jack socket on the computer. Use a splitter to connect headphones, too, so you`ll hear it played back. That`s what I do, it`s dead easy and results are good.

We don't record 'emotions' when recording. The only 'emotion' a key 'sees' is velocity, that, plus the timing of the release of the 'damper'.

Instead of using the word emotion, consider using the word accuracy. You want to record what you're playing with great accuracy. You can either record the MIDI information which is extremely accurate and\or record the actual sound of the keyboard using the 'outs' going into a recorder or going into your computer using a freeware program such as Audacity.

I use Audacity and while the noise floor of my system is higher than what I would prefer, I do manage to record myself ... with great accuracy.

Not to nitpick the OP did not say they wanted to record emotions.

They described "emotionally pressing the key differently" which is being moved by emotion and expressing the emotion through the instrument......something many great musicians do.

They also said they wanted to record this "exactly" "without missing the playing detail" = accurately

Hmm, but a recording is a recording, that's it. At least when using digitals, it will be the same "your playing" effect whether it is via inbuilt sound or MIDI/software or whatever, the only difference is how good quality is your keyboard (how realistic, so that it represents to the maximum possibility your playing), and how good is the end sound (inbuilt or software).

I don't think the P155 can record audio to a USB device. Only MIDI. If you want to record audio, you should either run a cable from the line-out ports to the line-in on your computer or get a USB sound interface, as was suggested earlier.

The OP could also render the MIDI file using a software piano, but that's not going to sound exactly the way it was played on the P155.

Hi there

The most easy way......just take your headphones-out......install audacity on your laptop or any device....and record......

It will show all your output with expression.....

Best regards,
Johan B

Direct recording versus midi is the equivalent of reading a novel in the author's script versus reading a type set version.

I deeply appreciate your advices. I am thinking to buy ZOOM to record highest quality sound for CD. But can I record with audacity with the best sound??

Yes, Audacity works well, and it's free.

Audacity runs on a computer.
Zoom is meant to be portable.

In this case it's the same, because sound coming from digital is still the sound that's made up from pressing keys on the MIDI keyboard, so it doesn't matter if the end result is recorded via "analog" line in-out or MIDI, the sound will be the same (or worse in analog version, because there can be side effects, background noise, etc.).

Equivalent of your example would be playing acoustic piano and recording it via line-in and playing the same acoustic's piano digital/software HIGH quality edition and recording via midi.

However, it doesn't matter to the end user, as we all know, everyone is happy to buy and read novel's in type settings. hehe.

Audacity's "native format" uses 32-bit, floating-point samples. That is better than any other part of the record / playback system.

So the limit to the quality of an Audacity recording, made from the piano's "line out" or "headphone" output, depends on:

. . . How good is the sound card?

If the sound card will do 16-bit sampling (most sound cards can do that), you will be OK. You'll get a "CD-quality" recording.

If the sound card will do 24-bit sampling (high-quality sound cards can do that), the recording can be edited, "levelled", and mixed, and keep its original quality.

The Zoom recorders can do 24-bit sampling -- they are excellent machines. All the models have "line-in" jacks.

. Charles

Should I buy audio interface if I use Audacity? or Can I connect piano to computer without audio interface?
What kind of cable should I use?
Also, How can I find information if my sound card will do 16-bit sampling or 24-bit sampling?
I am so sorry for many questions as I am beginner.
Thank you!!

here

There are a-lot of good reasons to get a Zoom H4n as opposed to an audio interface. If you are a player that wants a non-burdensome solution to record yourself or location situations at the 'drop of a dime', you could be better off.
Please keep in mind that not all portable recorders are the same. That specific ZOOM has pro-type connections and built in mics, but there are many other recorders to choose from.

Excellent beginner exposition -- thanks!

. Charles

OK. I am thinking to buy ZOOM h4n
Do you know how to setup ZOOM h4n to record high quality piano?
How can I prevent noise from mic?