Complete new to keyboards-just got my PSR SX900-a few beginners questions-thanks

[Sweetwood]

Hello everyone,
Happy to have found this forum, I'm in Belgium and hope to contribute.
1-Where can I find the serial number of the keyboard?
2- Trying to connect my Ipad Pro 12' updated with latest IOS and running Chord Tracker by Yamaha to my PSR 900.
When trying with bluetooth I get no connection. When trying to connect with an original Apple Lightning to USB Cable 1 m, nothing happens.
3- Trying to update the firmware, tried with 2 different USB sticks and always get the "Please insert the install media" message.
Many thanks in advance for your help,
Sweetwood

[panos]

Hi Sweetwood and wellcome to the forum my friend,
Until more experienced users of these stuff can help you you can take a look at these:

From the owner's manual for the serial number:

The model number, serial number, power requirements, etc., may be found on or near the name plate, which is at the bottom of the unit. You should note this serial number in the space provided below and retain this manual as a permanent record of your purchase to aid identification in the event of theft

https://gzhls.at/blob/ldb/c/0/3/6/0fa96ec9b1a408f87e89bbd553f5cc279645.pdf

iPhone/iPad Connection Manual for Yamaha keyboards:
https://download.yamaha.com/migrated_files/57948.pdf

Unfortunately not all sx900 have a Bluetooth function,so first thing to do is to search if your model have this function or not:
Bluetooth Audio *may not have this functionality depending on the country
https://europe.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/keyboards/arranger_workstations/psr-sx900/index.html

And some videos.
The sx900 has similar menus as the Genos, so you can also search for videos on Youtube for Genos that can help you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92aYTdA7tp8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuPuM1Zo8Q4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuf0vhejjKE&t=110s

Tutorials from Casper tutorSynth:
https://www.youtube.com/c/tutorsynth/videos

[EileenL]

You can use a USB wireless dongle like we did on Tyros 5.

[bhergar56]

Hello Sweetwood, probably this ideas can help you.

To connect the keyboard with your Ipad pro for using chord tracker or other Apps you have 2 or 3 options, I think, I´ll give you two:

1- If your keyboard does not have the Bluetooth option included, as mentioned earlier, you could buy the Yamaha Wireless MIDI Adaptor MD-BT01 or UD-BT01 (read description and Info about) and make the respectively wireless conection to your IPAD via bluetooth. Then you can syncronyse with Chord tracker App.
2- This one is not so expensive, buy a USB-A male to USB-B male cable and a USB-C (Female) adapter, that way you can connect the Ipad with the keyboard and make use of the Apps available.


Hope can be of any help.

Best regards

Bernardo.

[overover]

...
3- Trying to update the firmware, tried with 2 different USB sticks and always get the "Please insert the install media" message.
...

Hi Sweetwood,

if this problem persists, I recommend downloading the Firmware update again from the Yamaha site. Be sure to download the [SX900 update (V1.05). The SX700 version (1.04) would not work on the SX900

The USB stick must be formatted in "FAT32" format. It is best to format the stick directly on your SX900: Go to "[Menu]> Utility> Storage", touch the name of the desired drive to be formatted in the device list, then touch [Format].

Unzip the downloaded zip file and copy the received PRG file directly into the root directory of the USB stick (NOT into a FOLDER on the stick).

Then try again to apply the update.

...
2- Trying to connect my Ipad Pro 12' updated with latest IOS and running Chord Tracker by Yamaha to my PSR 900.
When trying with bluetooth I get no connection. When trying to connect with an original Apple Lightning to USB Cable 1 m, nothing happens.
...

The original Apple "Lightning to USB type A male" cable cannot be used here. This cable is only for charging the iPad or connecting the iPad to a computer.

What you need is an Apple "Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter" and a standard "USB type B to USB type A" cable (also known as a "Printer cable").




 




Connect the USB type B plug of the "Printer cable" to the USB to Host terminal of the SX900 and the USB type A plug to the USB type A socket of the "Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter". (You could also use the older Apple >>> "Lightning to USB Camera Adapter". But this adapter does not have a Lightning socket, so the iPad cannot be charged at the same time.)

Note:
Please be sure always to use the latest versions of the SX Manuals. Download them directly from the Download section of the Yamaha SX900 product site. For "uk.yamaha.com" it is this site:

>>> https://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/keyboards/arranger_workstations/psr-sx900/downloads.html#product-tabs

On this site you will also find the latest version (from 2019) of the "Smart Device Connection Manual for iOS (iPhone/iPad Connection Manual)". (The version linked by "panos" above is an old one from 2016.)


Regarding "Bluetooth":
The built-in Bluetooth adapter of the SX900 is only an AUDIO input (to connect a Bluetooth AUDIO device and play it over the SX900).

But what you need (in conjunction with the "Chord Tracker" app) is a MIDI connection (e.g. via USB-MIDI cable, as described above). For a wireless MIDI connection you can use the following:

1) a Bluetooth LE (= "Bluetooth Low Energy") MIDI adapter, e.g. the Yamaha "MD-BT01". (The advantage over the Yamaha "UD-BT01" is that the "MD-BT01" version doesn't need an external Power adapter.)
>>> https://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/music_production/accessories/md-bt01/index.html

   or

2) a Yamaha "UD-WL01" WiFi USB adapter.
>>> https://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/pianos/accessories/ud-wl01/index.html

If you really need a wireless connection, I recommend to use an external Bluetooth adapter, because the MIDI connection will be more stable than when using the WiFi adapter.



Hope this helps!

Best regards,
Chris

[alka]

With Yamaha "UD-WL01" WiFi USB adapter You can write audio to Chord Tracker, find cords and play audio from Chord Tracker on keyboard speakers. But need connect in AP Mode.

[Fred Smith]

3- Trying to update the firmware, tried with 2 different USB sticks and always get the "Please insert the install media" message.

The message means the keyboard can't find the install file.

Ensure you have unzipped the file, and that it's in the root of the USB (ie, not in any folder).

Cheers,
Fred

[Mode1mac]

Like you I have a new sx900 so not able to help. My problem is getting the Bonus PlayList to work. I get as far as displaying the list of songs, but get a file error when selecting any of the songs. I am a new member and searched on line for info. Found the same Australian Yamaha website you mentioned earlier.
Best regards,
Mac

[Bill]

Like you I have a new sx900 so not able to help. My problem is getting the Bonus PlayList to work. I get as far as displaying the list of songs, but get a file error when selecting any of the songs.

Hi Mac

The answer Fred gave above (although relating to OS Instal) is very true.  The keyboard cannot find what it is looking for.
Before the introduction of PlayLists it did not matter where you put the Registrations, however, now the Registrations need to remain in excactly the same place as they were originally placed, that includes the name of the folder in which they are installed.

With the Yamaha playlist, the folder with the Registrations MUST be in the root directory of USB1.

Maybe you should go into Regitration mode and search for the individual Registrations. Once found you will then be able to see they are not in the correct place.

Bill

[Fred Smith]

Like you I have a new sx900 so not able to help. My problem is getting the Bonus PlayList to work. I get as far as displaying the list of songs, but get a file error when selecting any of the songs. I am a new member and searched on line for info. Found the same Australian Yamaha website you mentioned earlier.

Does this mean the video solved your problem, or not?

Cheers,
Fred

[EileenL]

For Playlist Make sure the USB stick is the only one inserted so that it reads USB1. Press Playlist button and then press Playlist at the top of the screen. Now go to the file on the USB stick called PSR SX900 Playlist. Select this and all the categories will show. Press which one you want shall we say ballroom You will now see just this folder on screen. Press playlist again and you can now choose the one you want to load. Press the song and it will go green and load. Just remember when you choose another folder to press playlist again to open it.

[Mode1mac]

Thanks to all. It seems we have a few of us with the same problem in not down loading into the file root. My solution was supplied by the salesman at the store where I bought the keyboard. He didn't just send me an email but prepared a video to show how to do it. That's service for you.

[Mode1mac]

Still trying to navigate the forum. The answer to your post Fred regarding the video supplied by my vender, is Yes, it did work.