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A Brief Introduction to MIDI
MIDI, the Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a world-standard com-
munication interface that allows MIDI-compatible musical instruments and
equipment to share musical information and control one another. This
makes it possible to create “systems” of MIDI instruments and equipment
that offer far greater versatility and control than is available with isolated
instruments. For example, most MIDI keyboards (including the Clavinova,
of course) transmit note and velocity (touch response) information via the
MIDI OUT connector whenever a note is played on the keyboard. If the
MIDI OUT connector is connected to the MIDI IN connector of a second
keyboard (synthesizer, etc.) or a tone generator (essentially a synthesizer
with no keyboard), the second keyboard or tone generator will respond
precisely to notes played on the original transmitting keyboard. The result is
that you can effectively play two instruments at once, providing thick multi-
instrument sounds.
Although the CLP-156 features a built-in “sequencer” (the Recorder is a
type of sequencer), the same type of musical information transfer described
above can be used for more sophisticated MIDI sequence recording using
an external sequencer or music computer. A MIDI sequence recorder or
music computer can be used to “record” MIDI data received from a CLP-
156, for example. When the recorded data is played back, the CLP-156
automatically “plays” the recorded performance in precise detail.
The examples given above really only scratch the surface. MIDI can do
much, much more. The CLP-156 offers a number of MIDI functions that
allows it to be used in fairly sophisticated MIDI systems.
NOTE
• Always use a high-quality MIDI cable to connect MIDI OUT to MIDI IN
terminals. Never use MIDI cables longer than about 15 feet, since cables
longer than this can pick up noise which can cause data errors.
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MIDI “Messages” Transmitted
& Received by the Clavinova
Note and Velocity Data
This information tells the receiving keyboard or tone generator to play a certain note (specified by the MIDI
note number) at a certain dynamic level (specified by the MIDI velocity value). Note and velocity data is trans-
mitted by the Clavinova whenever a key is pressed, and the Clavinova’s internal AWM tone generator will
“play” the corresponding note(s) whenever note and velocity data is received from an external MIDI device.
Program Change Numbers
The CLP-156 transmits a MIDI program change number between 0 and 7 when one of its voice selectors is
pressed. This normally causes the correspondingly numbered voice to be selected on a receiving MIDI device.
The Clavinova will respond in the same way, automatically selecting the appropriate voice when a MIDI pro-
gram change number is received. See “Program Change ON/OFF” on page 32 for information on turning pro-
gram change number reception and transmission ON or OFF.
Control Change Numbers
Control Change data representing Damper pedal operation is transmitted by the Clavinova whenever one of
these pedals is used. If the receiving device is a tone generator or another keyboard, it will respond in the same
way as the Clavinova’s internal tone generator when one of the pedals is used. The Clavinova also receives and
responds to the appropriate control change data. See “Control Change ON/OFF” on page 33 for information on
turning control change number reception and transmission ON or OFF.
The MIDI information (messages) transmitted and received by the CLP-
156 Clavinova are as follows:
Clavinova
MIDI Functions
Clavinova
MIDI Cable
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
Tone
Generator
Data Being Recorded
Playback Data
MIDI IN
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
MIDI OUT
Sequence
Recorder
