54
MIDI
The EZ-150 also features MIDI terminals, allowing you
to interface the EZ-150 with other MIDI instruments
and devices.
■
About MIDI • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a worldwide standard that is built into many elec-
tronic musical instruments and other digital music related devices, allowing them to be connected
and “communicate” with each other.
For two MIDI instruments to communicate, they must be connected by MIDI cables. In a basic
example, the MIDI IN and MIDI OUT terminals of the EZ-150 could be connected to the MIDI
OUT and MIDI IN terminals of a sequencer, allowing you to record and play back performance
data from the EZ-150.
The instruments communicate with each other by sending “messages” or MIDI data. The sending
instrument usually assigns the data to one of sixteen MIDI channels, then transmits it over the
MIDI cable. The cable itself, however, is not divided up into sixteen channels. Just as with a tele-
vision set that receives programs on different channels, it is up to the receiving instrument to “tune
into” the proper MIDI channel. If the sending and receiving channels on the respective instruments
do not match, the receiving instrument may not understand or respond to the one sending.
■
How Can MIDI be Used? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
In the simple, yet powerful MIDI application example below, the Yamaha
QY70 Music Sequencer is used to record and play back performance data
played on the EZ-150 keyboard.
Before actually recording to the sequencer, press the [STYLE] button once
or twice to make sure that the current settings are sent.
Receives MIDI data
from the connected
sending device.
Transmits MIDI data (key-
board performance) to
the connected device.
01
Connect the MIDI IN of
the EZ-150 to the MIDI
OUT of the QY70
Connect the MIDI OUT
of the EZ-150 to the
MIDI IN of the QY70
• On the EZ-150, the following channels
(eight total) are enabled for MIDI reception:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10. The MIDI transmit
channels are fixed to the following data:
Ch. 1
: Keyboard, harmony
Ch. 2
: Bass
Ch. 3
: Chord
Ch. 4 - 7 : Other
Ch. 10
: Rhythm
• Parts that have been recorded using the
EZ-150 should also be played back from
the EZ-150. Data may not play back as
expected when using other sound sources
(such as the internal sounds of the QY70).
Also, a connected sound source may
sound at a different octave from that origi-
nally played on the EZ-150.
• MIDI data cannot be transmitted during
song playback.
• Avoid using MIDI cables 15 meters or
longer, since doing so can result in MIDI
errors.
MIDI Data and Light Guide
• With the Light Guide feature, you can see
the incoming MIDI data. MIDI note data
received over channel 1 will conveniently
light up the appropriate keys when the Light
Guide feature is turned on.
