Back to Tutorials
Originally uploaded on 31/05/2016. Last updated 10/07/2021
In this post, I will show you step by step how to connect your keyboard to your computer via MIDI and make an audio recording.
Items Required
You will need the following items:
You will need the following items:
- A Keyboard e.g. Yamaha PSR 280, Casio HT-700 etc.
- A Midi audio interface (not needed if your keyboard does not support MIDI)
- A computer
- A soundcard (If your computer features a built in input, you can use that instead).
- A 3.5mm TRS audio cable
Connecting the keyboard via MIDI (If your keyboard does not support MIDI skip this section)
On the back of the keyboard are 2 MIDI jacks; an input and an output. Some keyboard feature a third MIDI jack which is called a MIDI Thru jack. This jack simply forwards the MIDI data going into the MIDI in jack and it is used for daisy chaining MIDI instruments together.
MIDI data can only travel in one direction which is why MIDI devices feature two jacks.
The connector labelled “Out” is used for transmitting data from the keyboard to other devices, such as another keyboard or Midi recorder and the connector labelled “In” is used for receiving data from other devices.
Now this bit can get a bit tricky.
You may think that you have to connect a cable from the in port on your MIDI interface to the connector with the same name on the keyboard.
This however will not work. You will need to connect a cable from the Midi jack labelled “Out” on your MIDI interface to Midi labelled “In” on your keyboard and vice versa. To help reduce confusion, some MIDI interfaces have the connectors labelled as “Connect to MIDI In” and “Connect to MIDI Out” etc.
The diagram below shows the correct way to connect the MIDI cables.
MIDI data can only travel in one direction which is why MIDI devices feature two jacks.
The connector labelled “Out” is used for transmitting data from the keyboard to other devices, such as another keyboard or Midi recorder and the connector labelled “In” is used for receiving data from other devices.
Now this bit can get a bit tricky.
You may think that you have to connect a cable from the in port on your MIDI interface to the connector with the same name on the keyboard.
This however will not work. You will need to connect a cable from the Midi jack labelled “Out” on your MIDI interface to Midi labelled “In” on your keyboard and vice versa. To help reduce confusion, some MIDI interfaces have the connectors labelled as “Connect to MIDI In” and “Connect to MIDI Out” etc.
The diagram below shows the correct way to connect the MIDI cables.
If you wish to use the keyboard as a MIDI controller then you only need to connect a MIDI cable to the keyboard's MIDI out and the MIDI interface's MIDI in.
If you wish to use the keyboard as a MIDI module connect the MIDI cable from the MIDI interface's MIDI out to the keyboard's MIDI in.
Connecting both cables will allow you to use the keyboard both a MIDI controller and module.
If you wish to use the keyboard as a MIDI module connect the MIDI cable from the MIDI interface's MIDI out to the keyboard's MIDI in.
Connecting both cables will allow you to use the keyboard both a MIDI controller and module.
Connecting the keyboard for recording audio
The MIDI ports are only used for transmitting MIDI data to the keyboard. It will not transmit audio. To capture the audio from the keyboard, you will need to use an 3.5mm TRS audio cable like the one shown above.
Locate the Headphone jack on your keyboard and connect one end of the cable to it and the other end to the line input of your soundcard.
Some computers colour code the input ports on the back of the soundcard. The line in should be coloured blue. If the connectors are not colour coded then look for the line in symbol above the connector (see image below). Newer computers may allow you to reconfigure the ports to be either an input or an output. Refer to the instructions that came with your soundcard or computer to find out how to do it.
Note using the headphone jack on your keyboard will mute it’s speakers. If your keyboard has a line out jack, use that instead. While the output may not be as loud as using the headphone jack, it will not mute the built in speakers and usually give you a cleaner signal. If the line output level is too low for your soundcard, you can use a mixer to boost the signal strength.
If your keyboard has two line out jacks (one for left and one for right) you will need to use a Y adaptor cable to properly record the keyboard in stereo (like the image below).
If your keyboard has two line out jacks (one for left and one for right) you will need to use a Y adaptor cable to properly record the keyboard in stereo (like the image below).
Some soundcards and recording programs have a feature where you can forward the audio going into the input to your computer speakers. If you can't do this or there is a delay between when you press a key on the keyboard and you hearing any sound (latency), you can connect a spitter cable or adaptor to your keyboard's audio output and connect one cable to your computer and another to some speakers or headphones.
Keyboards such as a Yamaha PSR 280 may require a 1/4 inch TRS Adapter to connect the AUX cable to the headphone or line out jack (see image below).
Recording the audio of your keyboard
Now you can record the audio of your keyboard. Open up your preferred audio recording program, select “Line In” and adjust the audio levels so that the sound does not distort.
Some audio recording programs allow you to select your input and adjust the levels directly. If it does not, then you will need to adjust the default input settings.
In Windows, this can be done by going to the “Settings” app, “Sound Settings” then “Input”.
In Mac OS, this can be done by clicking “System Preferences” – “Sound” then selecting the “Input” tab.
Once your levels are set, hit the “Record” button in your recording program and then play on your keyboard. When you are finished, press “Stop” then save your audio.
Have fun :)
If you would like to provide some feedback on this post, feel free to use the contact form on the Contact page.
In Windows, this can be done by going to the “Settings” app, “Sound Settings” then “Input”.
In Mac OS, this can be done by clicking “System Preferences” – “Sound” then selecting the “Input” tab.
Once your levels are set, hit the “Record” button in your recording program and then play on your keyboard. When you are finished, press “Stop” then save your audio.
Have fun :)
If you would like to provide some feedback on this post, feel free to use the contact form on the Contact page.
Troubleshooting
Q1. The audio keeps cutting out or is only coming in on one channel
A1. If the audio keeps cutting out on one or both channels, it could indicate that the cable is damaged. Also make sure that you are using a stereo cable and not a mono cable. A stereo cable should have 2 black lines around the connector that goes into your input source and make sure that it is connect to a stereo output jack.
Q2. I’m only getting Mono audio despite using a stereo cable
A2. Check that your recording program is set to record in stereo. Some keyboard such as the Casio CZ-101 only output in mono. If your keyboard has two line out jacks, then you will need to use a Y adaptor cable to get stereo audio.
Q3. There is a loud buzzing or hum in the recording
A3. This could be caused by a ground loop. There are several ways eliminate a ground loop. The first is to use a ground loop isolator box in between your keyboard and sound card audio connections. A second way is to connect your keyboard and computer to the same wall outlet socket using a power strip. Finally you could run your keyboard on battery power.
Q4. The recording has a lot of hiss or noise
A5. Try reducing the recording levels on your recording program, increasing the volume levels on your keyboard or try using the shortest cable possible. Cables longer than 15 meters can act as an antenna, picking up surrounding radio signals which can result in a noisy signal.
Q5. When playing back MIDI files on my keyboard, some of the notes appear to cut off
A5. This is usually caused by exceeding the polyphony limit (the maximum number of notes that can be played at once) on your keyboard. Try playing a MIDI file that does not play as many notes at once or use a keyboard with higher polyphony
Q6. When I play a MIDI file on my keyboard, it uses the wrong instruments or plays some instruments as drum sounds etc.
A6. Some keyboards such as the Yamaha PSR-48 predate the General MIDI Standard and will not sound correct if playing a General MIDI File on it.
Q7. I get a weird metallic sound when I play my keyboard connected to my computer with my MIDI program opened.
A7. By default, MIDI recording programs forward incoming MIDI data to the selected MIDI interface causing your keyboard to play the same note twice. If your keyboard has a local control feature, try turning it off to fix this issue. You will need to turn it back on after you finished using the MIDI recording program, otherwise you will not hear any sound on your keyboard.
A1. If the audio keeps cutting out on one or both channels, it could indicate that the cable is damaged. Also make sure that you are using a stereo cable and not a mono cable. A stereo cable should have 2 black lines around the connector that goes into your input source and make sure that it is connect to a stereo output jack.
Q2. I’m only getting Mono audio despite using a stereo cable
A2. Check that your recording program is set to record in stereo. Some keyboard such as the Casio CZ-101 only output in mono. If your keyboard has two line out jacks, then you will need to use a Y adaptor cable to get stereo audio.
Q3. There is a loud buzzing or hum in the recording
A3. This could be caused by a ground loop. There are several ways eliminate a ground loop. The first is to use a ground loop isolator box in between your keyboard and sound card audio connections. A second way is to connect your keyboard and computer to the same wall outlet socket using a power strip. Finally you could run your keyboard on battery power.
Q4. The recording has a lot of hiss or noise
A5. Try reducing the recording levels on your recording program, increasing the volume levels on your keyboard or try using the shortest cable possible. Cables longer than 15 meters can act as an antenna, picking up surrounding radio signals which can result in a noisy signal.
Q5. When playing back MIDI files on my keyboard, some of the notes appear to cut off
A5. This is usually caused by exceeding the polyphony limit (the maximum number of notes that can be played at once) on your keyboard. Try playing a MIDI file that does not play as many notes at once or use a keyboard with higher polyphony
Q6. When I play a MIDI file on my keyboard, it uses the wrong instruments or plays some instruments as drum sounds etc.
A6. Some keyboards such as the Yamaha PSR-48 predate the General MIDI Standard and will not sound correct if playing a General MIDI File on it.
Q7. I get a weird metallic sound when I play my keyboard connected to my computer with my MIDI program opened.
A7. By default, MIDI recording programs forward incoming MIDI data to the selected MIDI interface causing your keyboard to play the same note twice. If your keyboard has a local control feature, try turning it off to fix this issue. You will need to turn it back on after you finished using the MIDI recording program, otherwise you will not hear any sound on your keyboard.