Cables

[MAK]

Hi, I'm a real novice and need beginner help. I have a Suzuki Digital Piano (R-21) with Midi and USB I/O capabilities. I wish to use my installed Audacity (1.3.12) on my desktop which runs Windows 7.
Please tell me what I need to connect my piano to my computer (USB). My piano and computer are about 10 ft. apart. Could someone Please tell me what I need to get my piano connected to my
HP Pavillion Desktop? Thank you SO much!

[kozikowski]

That's even fancier than the Yamaha I have.

I wish I could get the instructions to tell me what the USB connection does. They talk about MIDI and USB as if they were two things. It's possible they use the USB to transport the MIDI between the computer and the keyboard.

Is there an on-line user manual? I couldn't find one.

Does the instrument have a place to connect headphones? That's the usual way to get the sound out of the keyboard. Answer a couple of those and that will give us a good idea the direction to go.

Koz

[steve]

It's possible they use the USB to transport the MIDI

Highly likely, though I've not been able to look at a manual either.

Does the instrument have a place to connect headphones?

If the piano has "AUX Out" or "Line Out" connections that would be even better, assuming that you are using a sound card that has "Line-in" connections.

[MAK]

Yes, there is an outlet to connect headphones. I just thought I could use some sort of cable (midi to USB?) since the piano has MIDI capabilites (I/O).
Can anyone please tell me exactly what cable I need to connect the piano to the PC (running Windows 7 and preferably 10ft. long?) Thank you!

[steve]

Audacity does not record MIDI, it only records audio. MIDI is not audio (see here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_In ... _Interface )

[MAK]

Oh, I think I've got it (Steve). So if I connect my piano to PC, recording an audio, is there any way to transfer what I recorded in AUDACITY to CD or e-mail? Thank you!!

[steve]

Once you have successfully recorded the audio in Audacity, you can "Export" (File menu > Export) to create a standard audio file.
For sending by e-mail you will probably want to export as MP3 so that the file is smaller.
For creating a CD you will be best to export as WAV for higher quality.

There are some related tutorials on the Audacity wiki (see link at top of page or in my signature).

[MAK]

Thanks for the comments, but could someone please suggest or just tell me exactly what cable to get to connect my piano to my PC (see original post).
I am a real beginner. I could use a brand name and model or part# so I can get started - 10 ft./Windows 7. Thank you so much.

[steve]

We were unable to find an on-line manual for the Suzuki Digital Piano (R-21) so we are relying on you to tell us what sort of sockets it has.

I presume that you have the user manual?
Have a look in the "Specification" section (usually near the back of the manual) and it should list the available inputs and outputs. Post that information here - if you're unsure exactly which part, post everything that may relate to input/output connectors.

What sort of audio input connectors does your computer have? Most have "stereo mini-jack" sockets that look something like the pink/blue/green sockets here:

[MAK]

Hi, I found the specs for the R-21. I scanned the page with the picture of the connector panel but I can't seem to copy it here. ('file/ext not allowed - I have jpg and pdf)
Anyway, this is what the page says:
CONNECTOR JACKS - These connector jacks are located underneath the paino:
1. PEDAL JACK - Plug the Pedal cable into this connector.
2. USB - The USB connector allows you to connect the piano directly to your computer's USB port. Do not turn on the piano with the USB cable connected to the computer to avoid
having to restart your computer.
3. MIDI IN - This piano contains MIDI In put and MIDI Output ports. MIDI jacks allow communication with other products equipped with MIDI interfaces.
Please see the MIDI section of this manual for further details.
4. MIDI OUT - This piano contains MIDI In and MIDI output ports. MIDI jacks allow communication with other products equipped with MIDI interfaces.
5. AUDIO (LINE) IN - These stereo audio input jacks will amplify the supplied signal of other electronic instruments through the internal amplifier and speakers within the piano.
They can be used to hook up items such as CD players, MP3 players or Tape players.
6. AUDIO (LINE) OUT - These stereo audio output jacks supplies the piano's output signal to external amplification, such as home stereo, PA system or other stand alone amplifiers.

Hope this helps you.

**NOTE: The "MIDI"s are round each with 5 holes; and there are 2 smaller AUDIO (Line) 'IN' holes and 2 AUDIO (Line) 'OUT' holes.


the SPECIFICATIONS PAGE says: MIDI - Outpurt channel select; MIDI Input Channel select; MIDI Local On/Off; Multi-Timbral On/Off; Transmit MIDI Program Change On/Off

If you need to see a picture, of the panel, Please let me know how to import it. I had trouble.
Again, THANK YOU for any help you can give me in telling me what cable to buy (10 ft).