12
Using MIDI
Using MIDI
Your keyboard includes a feature called MIDI
(Musical Instrument Digital Interface). MIDI is
the universal standard for sending and re-
ceiving performance data between all types
of electronic musical instruments, regard-
less of the manufacturer.
Using MIDI, you can play music on your key-
board and another instrument at the same
time while pressing the keys on only one,
record your music to a sequencer, acquire a
wider selection of preset tones from a sound
module, and much more.
ABOUT MIDI
Every MIDI-equipped instrument has a MIDI
OUT terminal, and some also have a MIDI IN
and MIDI THRU terminal. Each of these ter-
minals serves a different purpose.
MIDI OUT sends MIDI data to (“talks to”) the
other MIDI instrument(s).
MIDI IN receives (“listens to”) MIDI data sent
by the other MIDI instrument(s).
MIDI THRU lets you connect (“network”) ad-
ditional MIDI instruments, and sends along to
other MIDI devices a copy of all data it re-
ceives through its MIDI IN terminal.
Your keyboard has a
MIDI
OUT
terminal.
The cable that connects MIDI devices does
not actually carry sound between them, like a
speaker wire carries sound from a receiver to
a speaker. Instead, MIDI-equipped devices
communicate with each other using digital
codes (instructions). One MIDI device sends
digital instructions representing exactly what
is being played on it. The other MIDI device
receives and translates those instructions,
then produces (or records) the sound exactly
as it was played on the first device.
Note: Connecting your keyboard to another
MIDI device requires a MIDI cable (not sup-
plied). See “Making the MIDI Connections.”
MAKING THE MIDI
CONNECTIONS
To connect your keyboard to another MIDI-
equipped device, you must use a MIDI cable
(available at your local RadioShack store).
The keyboard’s MIDI data is sent automati-
cally as you play.
Cautions:
• Always turn off power to your keyboard
and the other MIDI device before you
connect or disconnect MIDI cables.
• As you make the cable connections, be
sure to align the MIDI cable pins with the
matching holes on your keyboard’s
MIDI
OUT
terminal. If you have trouble plug-
ging in the cable, do not force it! You
might damage the plug or the instru-
ment.
Notes:
• The keyboard’s auto-rhythms, prere-
corded tunes, sustain information, and
transpose information cannot be sent as
MIDI data.
• If you send MIDI data to a device such
as a personal computer, the computer
will need a sound card, software to inter-
pret the data, and a pair of speakers
(none supplied). Your local RadioShack
store carries sound cards, MIDI cable,
and software.
• MIDI Channel 10 is preset to percussion
data in some MIDI receiving devices,
depending on the specific device you
select.
