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New to MIDI, Help!
 
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New to MIDI, Help!

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Connor
Posts: 4
Active Member
Topic starter
 

I just got a midi cable for my keyboard, Yamaha YPT-300, and I have no idea what I am doing. I would like to map my keyboard to be used on sites and applications like virtualpiano.net (each qwerty letter is a note and capitols are sharps/flats) and I have been drowning in drivers and C++ codes and all sorts of stuff. Not a clue what I'm doing and just looking for a simple driver or program to use my keyboard as a QWERTY keyboard. Being able to map keys would be a great added touch.

 
Posted : 24/12/2017 8:54 am
Steve
Posts: 6
Active Member
 

I think you've gone down a rabbit hole!
Why not just download some free VST virtual instruments as well as a free DAW. I am assuming your budget is limited based on what you are attempting.

If your intention is to create music, then take the shortest possible path. If you want to code, then go right ahead. If you are getting your hands dirty in code so you can create music, then you will have a long, difficult road ahead of you with a very steep learning curve. If that's your intention, then you better google the hell out of the subject because you have just stepped into a college-level pursuit of knowledge.

Good luck!

 
Posted : 24/12/2017 1:45 pm
Geoff
Posts: 1043
Noble Member
 

I'm sorry, but I've not a clue what you're doing either. Original message isn't clear.

You seem to be mixing two quite separate things.

The Yamaha YPT seems to be a midi capable keyboard, and you could certainly use the midi cable to connect the keyboard to a computer, assuming the latter has a midi interface. Then if the computer is using a browser that knows about midi (I understand that the Google Chrome is, in certain ways), then you could have your keyboard (the Yamaha) interact via the internet with the sort of system you mention. In which case, how does the QWERTY keyboard, and keyboard mapping, come into it,

Alternatively, if you DO need to use the computer (QWERTY) keyboard, and do all the things you mention with keyboard mapping, then how is the Yamaha YPT, and the midi cable, relevant? In this case, you may well need to do something with 'drivers' and actual coding, to respond to the key presses and convert the key info into midi data that could be sent to the remote site. But WHY do this if you've got the midi keyboard?

A LOT of clarification would be VERY useful!

Geoff

 
Posted : 24/12/2017 4:12 pm
Connor
Posts: 4
Active Member
Topic starter
 

For some clarification, I am using a MIDI to USB cable, not just a straight MIDI cable. My PC currently only recognizes the device as a "generic sound device" and I haven't been able to get the drivers from Yamaha to work correctly with the pc. Working with a virtual instrument program is fine too I just want to be able to get some sort of input from the board to the PC.

Current setup is this - YPT-300 MIDI out connected to adapter MIDI in, YPT MIDI In connected to adapter MIDI out, usb end of adapter connected to PC

 
Posted : 24/12/2017 5:07 pm
Steve
Posts: 6
Active Member
 

Connor
Can you answer the following questions please:
Pc make and model
Microprocessor
Ram amount
Hd type and capacity
Operating system
DAWCif any
Any other software applications you might be using
Date of creation of Yamaha drivers
What does Yamaha say are the compatible operating systems?

Thank you Connor

 
Posted : 27/12/2017 1:49 am
Connor
Posts: 4
Active Member
Topic starter
 

Steve, I am using a "CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme GXi8600A" running Windows 10. The CPU is an intel core i5 6600K 3.5gHz, 8GB DDR4 ram, 1TB hard drive, and I'm not sure about DAWC. None that I know of. As far as the drivers I'm not sure there wasn't much information on the driver page.

 
Posted : 28/12/2017 8:31 am
Steve Caldwell
Posts: 9
Active Member
 

Hi, keep in mind that MIDI does not send any sound. It just sends binary messages that the receiving device needs to interpret and convert to sounds or control function such as volume, etc.

So once your Keyboard is recognized by your computer, (It should show as some sort of MIDI port in settings) you will need to use some sort of software to convert it actual sounds. This is usually done with a DAW (digital audio workstation). There are many out there and many are free. In the DAW, you then select the MIDI input device (from your keyboard) and configure your software to "route" that signal to an virtual device which does the conversion to sound on your computer (if you are pressing keys/notes) on your keyboard.

There are also some general purpose software instruments you can download and configure to use whatever MIDI input you wish. On Windows, Microsoft has a virtual synth device, however you might need some software to route the input of your keyboard to that device. You might want to look at Bome MIDI Translator Pro for doing this. I am a Moderator on their support forum and if you post a specific question there on what you are trying to do, I might be able to help further.

Steve
bome@sniz.biz
Independent Bome Programming Specialist
Bome Q&A moderator

http://www.bome.com/support

 
Posted : 28/12/2017 10:32 am
Connor
Posts: 4
Active Member
Topic starter
 

UPDATE - Solved

Thanks for the help guys, but I ended up installing the Bome MIDI translator software, which worked great and is doing exactly what I need it to do!

 
Posted : 28/12/2017 11:16 am
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