When I record the Casio 'sound' (using the headphone jack) and play it back on the computer speakers, it sounds exactly like the original Casio (I have a nice 3 piece computer speaker system). If you have small speakers...the sound may be less 'bassy', but it will still burn fine to a CD....and sound good on any stereo system.
Here is how you record a song using Power Tracks (or Cakewalk).
1. Make sure to have the 'Ac/SgOut' set to "ON" (this is under the Transpose/cursor down to 'Keybd Ch'...then right cursor to 'Ac/SgOut' ) this allows you to record the rhythm.
2. Set your computer sequencer to record and start playing. When you are done playing stop the recording. You are recording 'midi' data... not 'audio' at this point.
Be sure to 'de-select' the Casio as your 'out port' device...so that you don't create a 'data loop' (that is a feed back of data to the computer and back to the Casio, adding more and more midi data until it gets really ugly!).
Using the computer soundcard to monitor the midi sound doesn't affect the 'end' result (when you switch back to the Casio keyboard as the midi 'player'). Do no be concerned that the song at this point does not sound like the Casio.
3. You can now add more instruments by opening new tracks and pressing record. The first recording will play in the background and you can 'record' your additional tracks. You can also 'edit' your playing and correct any mistakes. Save the completed song as a 'midi' file.
4. Now, select your Casio as the midi player (midi out). With Power Tracks, create an audio track and select it... when you press 'record' your Casio keyboard will play back the midi file and at the same time you will be recording the Audio (from the Casio headphone jack...to the line in of the computer soundcard) to an audio track in Power Tracks.
Also, de-select the Casio to computer as your midi-in 'input' at this point...so that you don't record more midi data back to the computer thru the other midi cable.
5. You can now save just the audio track of your sequence, as a wave file. The Power Track file, at this point contains both midi and 'audio' data. The computer can play the whole thing, but the 'out to Casio' midi cable will only play the midi data. If you have a microphone...you could add vocals on additional tracks (that would play on the computer...not the Casio)
6. You can build on this 'basic' recording method, by recording only one track (channel) of the midi file at a time...muting the others...to place each instrument on a separate audio track....then 'mix' the volumes and effects of each instrument separately. I usually just do the whole thing together (lot easier).. [
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7. You can know use the software that came with your
CD-Recorder to burn your musical talents for posterity!