Last Updated on Friday, 18 September 2009 15:34 Written by Don Bonomini Tuesday, 15 September 2009 15:36
With the advancement in home recording technology and easy to use computer software, using a computer in conjunction with a keyboard is more common and simpler than ever before. But before you decide to make the connection from your keyboard to computer, an important fundamental must be understood, and that's the difference between audio and MIDI.
Audio Vs. MIDI
The difference is really quite simple. Audio sends actual sound whereas MIDI contains information. Let's take a look at the back of your keyboard and identify what some of the connections are.
MIDI connections will be labeled as such, or certain keyboards may have a USB connection to go directly to the computer. Either way, they both send MIDI data.
Audio connections will have one or two 1/4" connections as seen below and can be labeled in a number of ways such as Audio Output, Headphone Out, Line Out etc.
Regardless of the type of output, we can help you identify it and interface it to your computer.
When to use MIDI
MIDI information contains the notes you press on the keyboard, how hard you press them, when you press them, if the sustain pedal is engaged, etc. This information can be recorded and played back by the computer. The key point to remember is that the information recorded is not sound, it is information. The computer has to take that information and create sound from it. This can be a very powerful way to expand the sounds available to you by using software programs, or you can create musical notation based on what you play. MIDI is also easily edited. Notes can be moved, deleted or transposed after the performance is completed.
If your keyboard has a USB connection, nothing else is needed to establish the link between it and the computer. If your keyboard just has MIDI connections you will need a MIDI to USB interface like the Yamaha UX-16 shown below.
When to use audio
The audio connections from your keyboard can usually be connected to the line in on your computer with a special cable and we can help you select the right cable for the job. This configuration will allow you to record the actual sounds generated by the keyboard. This is great for quickly recording ideas, and is a simple way to crituque ones playing and write songs. Although audio does not lend itself to the flexibility of MIDI, such as being able to edit your performance note by note, printing out notation, or changing the instruments sound or patch selected, audio connections are easier to set up and less complex to use.
In summary, a basic understanding of how MIDI and audio are different will greatly help you in choosing the right product to connect your keyboard and computer together.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to post them in our user forum at:
http://www.haggertysmusic.com/forum/index.php?f=7&t=13&rb_v=viewtopic