Midi connections

[meyrick]

Sx900 NP31 & SterioLogic.
Can anyone tell me how to connect these three together so I can play them like an organ. As there is only One Midi IN and One Midi Out, I have to assume this will require a Midi split connector?
I have tried to follow the setup from Leigh Wilbraham via the Yamaha club as was,re the Tyros 5, but although each keyboard responds, I cannot get each one to play different sounds.
If anyone can help with practical suggestion, I would be most grateful.
Thanks in advance
meyrick 

[GeirH]

Hi,

... although each keyboard respons, I cannot get each one to play different sounds.

If you want to control one of the available parts on your SX-900 from an external keyboard, you must make sure that the external keyboard transmits MIDI data on the correct channel.

As an example, on your NP-31, hold down the [DEMO] button, press and hold the [METRONOME ON/OFF] button, and then press the C1# key. This sets its MIDI Transmit Channel to 2, instead of the default value of 1 (refer to p.20 of the Owner's Manual). The NP-31 should now control the Left part of your SX-900, instead of Right 1.

You mention a third keyboard, and I assume it's a StudioLogic model. I would have to know which model to be able to give specific advice, but the basic idea is the same; It has to transmit on a unique MIDI channel, in order to control a unique part/voice.

- H -

[I-me-mine]

Hello,

I might be misunderstanding as I couldn't find what "SterioLogic" is (when I search it I just get some corporation) and I also can't find the Leigh Wilbraham guide you mentioned. Do you have a link?

But if you're trying to attach two midi controllers into the sx900 then I think the "usb to host" socket can read midi as well as the 5-pin DIN midi-in (though I've not tried using the "usb to host" myself so I could be wrong).

You can assign what you want the keyboards to do by pressing the "midi" button on page 2 of the menu. Then go to the receive tab then assign what each channel does. For instance, you can set midi channel 1 to the left hand voice. A little light flashes as you play to tell you what channel your currently on but it should be channel 1 unless you change it.

You can also tell the sx900 which channels to listen to for the styles by going to the chord detect tab and pressing on the channel you want to use. You can detect chords and play a voice at the same time.

I hope some of that was of use to you.

[meyrick]

Many thanks GeirH. I was totally unaware of the NP31 being able to change the Midi transmit channel. I will give this a go. The third keyboard is a StudioLogic 113 and does respond on channel 2. With what you say, I will have to change that, but it is quite a simple operation. I am a complete novice as far as Midi is concerned, and the learning curve is quite steep at my age.
However, I will press on.
Many thanks for your assistance.

Hi I-me-mine. My SterioLogic is a 13 note Foot Pedal for the base notes.
As to a link for the Leigh Wilbraham T5 guide, very sorry but it came from 'The Yamaha Club' which closed down in July 2024. I had overlooked the USB to Host. I will look into that as I am reasonably sure it can't do any damage?
Many thanks for you input, it is very much appreciated.

Kind Regards
meyrick

[KurtAgain]

... I think the "usb to host" socket can read midi as well as the 5-pin DIN midi-in (though I've not tried using the "usb to host" myself so I could be wrong).

That won't work.

USB distinguishes between "hosts" and "devices".

Only a "USB host" can be connected to the "USB TO HOST" port - as the name suggests. In practice, a USB host is almost always a PC. A MIDI keyboard, on the other hand, is not a USB host, but a USB device.

USB devices cannot and must not be connected to the "USB TO HOST" port. That's why USB devices have different plugs. USB devices are, for example, memory sticks, hard drives or MIDI keyboards.

In a MIDI network, there can only be one USB host, but many USB devices.

Kurt

[GeirH]

Hi,

As there is only One Midi IN and One Midi Out, I have to assume this will require a Midi split connector?

Yes, a MIDI THRU port is usually needed in order to daisy-chain instruments.

There are instruments without a THRU port that can actually pass data from MIDI IN to MIDI OUT, but I don't know if that's the case for the NP-31. If that doesn't work, you would have to add a "merge box" to your setup, such as the Miditech 4merge.

- H -

[I-me-mine]

USB devices cannot and must not be connected to the "USB TO HOST" port.

I appreciate the clarification. I shouldn't have brought it up without being sure. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a way to edit or delete my post so hopeful anyone reading spots your correction.

[KurtAgain]

In a MIDI network, there can only be one USB host, but many USB devices.

I made a mistake there. Correct is:
In a USB network, there can only be one USB host, but many USB devices.

Kurt

[meyrick]

Hi All

Thanks so much for all the input. I have got a Midi merge box of 4 in and 4 out. However, it requires the USB to Host as a power unit. I also have a 1 out to 2 out midi cable which is in fact driving the NP31 and the foot pedal unit. The foot pedals are only out putting a piano sound, so not to sure how to overcome that as yet. There was an upgrade of the Regi Stick 4 which could possibly sort this, but with my limited knowledge of Midi ? However, I will plod on, making notes of everything as I go and hopefully get this up and running.
Once again thanks for all the input, it is very much appreciated.
meyrick

[GeirH]

The foot pedals are only out putting a piano sound

Does the piano sound come from the SX-900 or the NP-31?

- H -

[meyrick]

Hi GeirH.
The Piano sound I believe, is from the SX900? I assume this as the NP31 volume control is definitely turned off, and there is no Midi cable from the NP31 Midi out. 
meyrick

[GeirH]

The Piano sound I believe, is from the SX900?

You then have your MIDI notes reaching their destination, which is good! It's now just a matter of selecting the voice you want (i.e. not piano) for the part on the SX900 that receives the data and generates the sound. I'm not sure how to do that, though, and the manuals aren't very helpful in this respect.

there is no Midi cable from the NP31 Midi out.

It would have to receive data via its MIDI IN port to produce sound, if its own keys aren't played, but I'm guessing you already figured that out.

- H -

[meyrick]

Thanks again GeirH. I now have the voices playing on the NP31. The problem was the selection of the correct channels, which I have sorted now. I have to agree, the manuals are not so very helpful in some cases.
Meyrick

[meyrick]

An update to my inquiry re Midi.
musicland.co.uk has the TRX sytem, and this gives all the instructions for the setup I was looking for. The TRX system comes on a download file @£299:00
A midi thru box is also required and that costs £87+p&p. Not overly expensive, but not so cheap. However, it has got me up and running, and with all the extra voices, is a treat well worth it.
I have to thank you all for your input, it set me on the road to explore further and find a result.
meyrick