USB to HOST Audio

[pquenin]

Are the E363/EW300, E453/EW400, E463/EW410 the only PSR with USB to HOST Audio ?
I love this feature when connected to the computer.
I have searched for a better keyboard than my E453 with USB to HOST Audio, but didn't find anything in the middle range arrangers.

I have also looked at Roland BK-3 and 5, Korg PA300.

I love the PSR-S670 but too bad that it doesn't support this feature...

[skolkool]

Hello. I have some questions.

What is the difference between USB to HOST Audio and USB to HOST Midi?

Can the same cable and same port be used for both(Audio and Midi) types of connections?

In the E363 and E453, there is already a provision for audio recording through "Lines/Headphones/Output"(can't remember exact labeling), so what is the  use of "USB to HOST Audio" feature?

Thanks

[AnupamEnosh]

I love the PSR-S670 but too bad that it doesn't support this feature...

Those S-series keyboards feature direct USB audio recording/playback throught USB to Device port, including Line Level Ports, as well as separate MIDI ports and HOST port in S770/970. I don't think USB Audio would be needful there.

[AnupamEnosh]

What is the difference between USB to HOST Audio and USB to HOST Midi?

Both are the same port, but they transfer both MIDI and Audio data to PC, for which you need to install the Yamaha steinberg driver.

Can the same cable and same port be used for both(Audio and Midi) types of connections?

Yes

In the E363 and E453, there is already a provision for audio recording through "Lines/Headphones/Output"(can't remember exact labeling), so what is the  use of "USB to HOST Audio" feature?

It can be an alternative for Line Level Outputs.

[SeaGtGruff]

In the E363 and E453, there is already a provision for audio recording through "Lines/Headphones/Output"(can't remember exact labeling), so what is the  use of "USB to HOST Audio" feature?

It can be an alternative for Line Level Outputs.

Also, the USB audio connection works in both directions-- audio output from the keyboard to the computer, and audio input from the computer to the keyboard-- so it can also be an alternative for Aux In.

[pquenin]

The great thing with USB to HOST Audio is that the audio is transmitted directly from or to the computer in digital audio, there are no conversion to an analog signal.

I know that you can connect the audio of the PC to the keyboard with audio in, but then there is a conversion, and the signal is noisy, even if you use a dedicated USB audio interface in between.

And if you want to record the sound of the keyboard directly in the DAW, you have the same benefit : no conversion, and no need of a USB key to bring the audio to the computer.

So I think it can be usefull for the PSR-S line too.

[arvacon]

I used to use the usb audio future for connecting my tablet with the keyboard. With this kind of connection, I could listen the audio of the tablet at the keyboard's speakers, without any noise and I could also record what I was playing at the keyboard, straighly to my tablet.
That was a convenient way and I miss it a little with my s770, because the only way I can connect the tablet with the keyboard now, is via audio input, but the tablet produce an annoying hiss noize when it is idle, so I have to volume down the aux in from the keyboard settings everytime.. I wish there was at least a mute button for this.

[remig]

Hi all,
anyone tried the following:
connect PSR e453 to PC (via USB), set Master Volume to 0 (any voice), and play with some VSTi or standalone software - so that the sound coming from PSR is produced by PC software?

My experiments are almost good, but It seems that the latency is still noticeable, so that this setup is difficult to use, if you want to play live.

I was just wondering if there is any optimal setting I should use. I use a PC running LMMS on Puppy Linux Xenial (ALSA driver).

(sorry if my English is not correct...)
All the best,
R.C.

[arvacon]

If I remember well, there is a setting that it mutes the sound of the keyboard and then you can work with the vst only, withoit change the master volume or any other volume. I don't have the keyboard with me righy to check this, but have a look at the manual, it is mention that.
As about the latency problem, I haven't check how to correct it, but it is noticable at my pc too.

[vbdx66]

Hi Guys,

I think what you want to do here is look into the functions, search for the Local function and set it to Off.

That way, you should hear the VST  sound without hearing the keyboard Main or Dual or Split voice.

Also, I think you must set the function Keyboard Out to Yes (so that the keyboard will control the VST).

There must also be a setting to adjust the volume of the USB Audio input but I cannot tell you because I Haven't the E463 (yet  )

N.B.: I tried to control the Korg iM1 iOS virtual synth for iPad with my older PSR E433 and it worked like a charm, no latency at all. Since there is no Aux In and no USB Audio in the PSR E433, of course the sound output from the iPad  cannot be redirected to the keyboard (you must either use an external speaker or a PA system or the iPad internal speakers).

So I have a threefold  hypothesis:

1) There is some latency as far as the USB Audio internal interface of the E463 is concerned.
2) There is more latency with a PC than with an iPad (iOS machines are well-known for their very low latency).
3) The latency is coming from a driver, or possibly from the VST itself.

A detail which might be of interest: I was able to control the iM1 virtual synth by using the PSR E433 onboard arpeggiator. This is really cool   

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Vinciane

[SeaGtGruff]

You can go into the Function menu and set the Local Control function to Off if you want to use the keyboard as a controller.

As for the latency, it shouldn't have anything to do with the keyboard; normally it's strictly a problem on the computer. If the sound card (be it internal or external) on your computer has an ASIO driver, selecting that driver will usually help out a lot with any latency issues. Otherwise you might want to look into the free ASIO4ALL audio driver; it isn't true ASIO, just an emulation, but it can work wonders on reducing latency. Aside from that, playing with your audio output buffer size can also help. Think of the buffer as a waiting room. A larger buffer takes longer to fill up before it dumps its contents, so you really want to reduce the buffer size as much as feasible so the data gets sent on its way more quickly rather than having to sit in the buffer waiting until the buffer gets filled up and the gatekeepers decide it's finally okay to lower their cordon and let the accumulated data through.

Data Byte: "Can't you let me through now? I was expected at the speaker 2 seconds ago!"

Buffer Gatekeeper: "Sorry, there's still one empty chair in the waiting area, and we're not supposed to let anyone through until all of the chairs are filled."

Data Byte: "Aaargh!"

[remig]

Hi Everybody,
many thanks for the answers.

I'll definitely try with some more powerful PC.