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How can i do this with the microstation?

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 11:05 pm
by skinnybonedog
Hi all,

I have the microstation and i also have a yamaha p140 digital piano....both have mini in/out....so i got a midi cable and thought i could just link the two keyboards (it is a single cable with one midi on each end....maybe i got the wrong cable?)...the only thing i get is the ability to play the p140 piano sounds using the keys on the microstation with the sound coming through the p140 speakers...i want it the other way around. I want to play the keys on the p140 so i get the full size weighted keys and i want the sound library from the microstation to come through the p140 speakers. I switched the cable around but i still could not get what i want. Any suggestions or can i not do what i am trying to do? I have a mac computer that i had the p140 running into for recording....a way to do it that way....but how?

Thanks

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:16 am
by bradkorg
Read your Manual's, they are not for the show or weight!
microSTATION_OG_E2.pdf PAGE 14:

Controlling microSTATION’s tone
generator from an external MIDI
device


When you wish to play or control the microSTATION’s
tone generator from an external MIDI keyboard or
sequencer etc., use a MIDI cable to connect the MIDI
OUT connector of the external MIDI device to the
MIDI IN connector of microSTATION.



microSTATION (MIDI IN)--- MIDI-CABLE ---(MIDI OUT) P140


---
p140_en_om_.pdf PAGE 47:

1 MIDI [IN] [OUT] terminals
Use MIDI cables to connect external MIDI devices to these connectors.
MIDI [IN]: Receives MIDI data.
MIDI [OUT]: Transmits MIDI data.
Refer to the “Connecting a Personal Computer” on page 49.

PAGE 49:
Connecting the USB port on the computer to the
P-140 via a USB MIDI interface (such as the UX16,
UX96, or UX256)


Use a USB MIDI interface device to connect the USB port on your computer to the P-140’s MIDI terminals.

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 4:16 pm
by skinnybonedog
Yep, I did that and it did not work....I switched through the inputs on the P140....any further thoughts??

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 6:15 pm
by bradkorg
Check the p140 midi out transmit channel=01 and not OFF:
page44
F8. MIDI Functions
You can make detailed adjustments to the
MIDI settings.
For more information about MIDI, see the
“About MIDI” section (page 47).
F8.1: MIDI Transmit Channel Selection
In any MIDI control setup, the MIDI channels of the
transmitting and receiving devices must be matched for
proper data transfer.
This parameter enables you to specify the channel on
which the P-140 transmits MIDI data.
Setting range: 1 – 16, OFF (not transmitted)
Default setting: 1

Set your microSTATION at [SEQ] mode!
skinnybonedog wrote:...i want it the other way around. I want to play the keys on the p140 so i get the full size weighted keys and i want the sound library from the microstation to come through the p140 speakers.
Not possible as P140 doesn't have AUX/AUDIO IN inputs!
Only if you can find an electronic DIY person do a modification, you can just add audio inputs and connect to the internal amp with help of the schematic:
http://elektrotanya.com/yamaha_p-140_sm ... nload.html

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 8:40 pm
by skinnybonedog
Uhhhhgg, my bad.....what I have is actually the P120 which does indeed have an Aux port....does this change things?

Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:19 pm
by skinnybonedog
Anyone....can I use the aux/audio inputs in some way....I don't want to buy more cables if it won't work so hope someone has some experience?

plug it in.

Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 1:06 am
by johnroney
if you want the MS to sound on your piano's internal speakers...

find the AUX IN hole.
stick the appropriate cable in there.
stick the other end of that same cable into either the HEADPHONES or the L/R out of the Microstation.

then, find the MIDI OUT hole on your piano.
stick the appropriate cable in there.
stick the other end of that same cable into the MIDI IN hole on your Microstation.

presumably you have read the manual, and understand MIDI channels and you have searched the web to know that MIDI does not carry audio, and likewise.
if your gear is all set to channel 1, then you should be in business with that cabling.

go for it.

Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 7:18 am
by bradkorg
NOT POSSIBLE on P120 too! P120 has only AUX OUT ports and NOT AUX IN ports! BIG DIFFERENCE!

Find an electronic guy, he can drill a hole, add AUX IN ports, solder wires/add channels resistors to the internal P120 AMP, only than you can have sounds from external source through the P120!

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:06 pm
by micro22
It would be much easier and less expensive to just buy a small practice amp than to modify the keyboard.

The best solution would probably be to get a mixer and monitors, that way you could hook everything up. I had Alesis monitors that had multiple inputs and also functioned as an interface, all for around $100.

basic synth primer

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:18 pm
by micro22
As an add-on to my previous post, I wanted to let you know how to best connect the gear.

First, connect the MIDI out from the piano to the MS. Then connect the USB from the MS (or piano, or both) to your computer. Then connect the L/R audio outs from both keyboards to stereo channels in your mixer. This way you can use the sounds from both the piano and the MS if you want to. Then connect the main outs from the mixer to the monitors.

For gigs and live use, connect the MIDI out from the piano to the MS. Then connect the L audio out of the MS to your amp. If you have a larger amp, like the Roland KC series (not really my favorite amp), it will have a built in mixer so you can connect both boards in stereo if you wish.