[carol m]

I want to connect a Yamaha keyboard PSR-225 to my computer and then to use Audacity (or Kristal etc) to 'enhance' (code for camouflage) my recordings. The Yamaha User guide has 2 diagrams.

The first diagram says use a Midi cable to connect the Midi Out on the Yamaha to the Midi Terminal on the computer (which must have sequencing software).

The diagram shows 'Yamaha out' connected directly to 'midi in' on computer (which has sequencing software) - one cable.

The second diagram says when using a Midi interface with a Macintosh connect the RS-422 terminal of the computer (modem or printer terminal) to the Midi interface which is connected to the computer.

and the diagram shows 'Yamhaha out' connected to a Midi Interface (a separate box) which is connected to a computer (with sequencing software) - two cables.

I have a PC computer (not macintosh) but when I went to the music store, the man said I had to buy a midi interface as well as midi cables even though I don't have a Mac.

My questions are
1. Do I really need a midi interface?

2. What is sequencing software? Is it Audacity or Kristal or something else?

3.Do all computers have a 'midi in'? To reach the back of mine requires an exploration license so I need to know what to look for in advance - is it any vacant 'plug' that looks like the midi plug on the Yamaha (circular with 5 holes/pins?)

If anyone can help with some info on this it would be appreciated.

[wjp01908]

Hi Carol

If you want to use MIDI software rather than simply recording audio, you will need a MIDI interface - they usually fit into a spare USB slot these days.

I would be surprised if there was a MIDI connection already on your PC but it wouldn`t hurt to look - it will mirror the one on your keyboard.

Sequencing software is basically for working with MIDI information - theoretically you can write a whole symphony without touching an actual musical instrument at all.

It`s probably worth doing some reading up on it before deciding if you want to use it`s capabilities.

Many audio editing suites come with MIDI sequencers (eg Reaper) - you can even do editing of imported tracks with audacity so you wont need to spla out on extra sotware just yet

If you simply want to record audio from your keyboard then you can just connect the headphone socket to the line input of you PC.

HTH

Will

[wjp01908]

BTW

This seems a reasonably clear introducion to MIDI:

MIDI 101 by TweakHeadz Lab

Will

[knight46]

Nice link Will, now if I can keep my head from spinning... to much information, not enough time.

[scotty_b]

Hey Carol
What part of Sydney are you from?
I can help you with MIDI interfaces and the like, if you were interested.

[andmoreagain]

Carol

I may be wrong but I'm sure MIDI doesn't work with Audacity???

Ian

[wjp01908]

Originally Posted by andmoreagain

Carol

I may be wrong but I'm sure MIDI doesn't work with Audacity???

Ian

I`ve just had another look and you`re right - you can import the MIDI but then there`s not much else you can do with it....

Will

[eliot-ness]

Hi Carol. I bought a new Yamaha PSR295 last week, Got it at a special price as the dealer had lost the box/cdrom/instruction book and manual. I downloaded the manual from the Yamaha site. The connection to the computer, for windows 2000, is a simple USB cable, nothing else. Unfortunately I need the cd rom to complete the setup as it contains the midi driver. Hope this helps:Have a good day. Tony wheelchai

[X4StringDrive]

Originally Posted by wjp01908

If you simply want to record audio from your keyboard then you can just connect the headphone socket to the line input of you PC.

HTH

Will

+1
Thats what I do Carol, no midi...headphones out from keys to mixer in and from there to the pc, you could bypass the mixer if need be for the time being. I haven't learned what the benefit of midi is so I can't help on that aspect.

[carol m]

You guys are the best! Everything I needed to know beamed in from all over the world. Thanks everyone.

Will: I didn't have a clue if I had to use 'Midi' to record or not. I didn't particularly want Midi as such, just to record those Kenny-type effects. So - earphone jack to 'line in' it is. How did you guess.....a symphony is the goal, (of course) but I'm not sure if I have enough years left to achieve that one - although a ten-piece combo in the closet (like Kenny) would be good in the 'short' term.

Scotty: Thanks for the offer but it looks like I don't need Midi at all. Maybe if/when I really get stuck, but for the moment there is about 2years worth of recording 'learning curve' still to tackle before I even consider Midi. Offer appreciated, (and noted) thanks!

Tony, maybe we can give each other 'tips' as we try to figure out how they work. I found mine in a friend's attic so I don't have anything except the keyboard itself either. I don't have a power adapter either, so I'll have to rely on battery power. I too found the instructions on line. I didn't even know it came with a CD Rom, so I'm hoping it was set up properly by the owners when it was new.

Andmoreagain: thanks for that info. It seems I don't need Midi anyway, so I don't need a software program that can deal with it either. Nice to know though, thanks.

Hi Kenny: grass-hopper in-coming

[X4StringDrive]

Originally Posted by carol m

Hi Kenny: grass-hopper in-coming

Wise is the one who seeks out help, Thou who knoweth everything knows nothing.....wax on wax off Carol...I'll be a waiting

[carol m]

Originally Posted by X4StringDrive

.....wax on wax off Carol...I'll be a waiting

I don't know what that means, oh wise one.....is there something (painful) you're not telling me??

[X4StringDrive]

my bikini ...oh wait, different story, The Karate Kid movie...ever see it?

[carol m]

Don't think so. My 'grass-hopper experience' came from the telly.

[X4StringDrive]

Kung Fu was one of my favs...Karate Kid was similar in that he had a teacher who was supposedly.....oh who cares....your recording now thats all that matters, you'll be a black belt in no time at all.