Using the MIDI Functions

The YPP-100 is MIDI-compatible, featuring MIDI IN and MIDI OUT terminals and providing a variety of MIDI-related controls. By using the MIDI functions you can expand your musical possibilities. This section explains what MIDI is, and what it can do, as well as how you can use MIDI on your YPP-100.

What Is MIDI?

No doubt you have heard the terms "acoustic instrument" and "digital instrument." In the world today, these are the two main categories of instruments. Let's consider an acoustic piano and a classical guitar as representative acoustic instruments. They are easy to understand. With the piano, you strike a key, and a hammer inside hits some strings and plays a note. With the guitar, you directly pluck a string and the note sounds. But how does a digital instrument go about playing a note?

(Figure)
Acoustic guitar note production
Pluck a string and the body resonates the sound.

(Figure)
Digital instrument note production
Sampling Note
Tone Generator (Electric circuit)
Sampling Note
Playing the keyboard
Based on playing information from the keyboard, a sampling note stored in the tone generator is played through the speakers. 

As shown in the illustration above, in an electronic instrument the sampling note (previously recorded note) stored in the tone generator section (electronic circuit) is played based on information received from the keyboard. So then what is the information from the keyboard that becomes the basis for note production? 

For example, let's say you play a "C" quarter note using the PIANO 1 sound on the YPP-100 keyboard. Unlike an acoustic instrument that puts out a resonated note, the electronic instrument puts out information from the keyboard such as "with what voice," "with which key," "about how strong," "when was it pressed," and "when was it released." Then each piece of information is changed into a number value and sent to the tone generator. Using these numbers as a basis, the tone generator plays the stored sampling note. 

Example of Keyboard Information
(Table)
Voice (with what voice)	PIANO 1
Note number (with which key)	60 (C3)
Note on (when was it pressed) and note off (when was it released)	Timing expressed numerically (quarter note)
Velocity (about how strong)	100 (strong)
(Table end)

MIDI is an acronym that stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, which allows electronic musical instruments to communicate with each other, by sending and receiving compatible Note, Control Change, Program Change and various other types of MIDI data, or messages. 
The YPP-100 can control a MIDI device by transmitting note related data and various types of controller data. The YPP-100 can be controlled by the incoming MIDI messages which automatically determine tone generator mode, select MIDI channels, voices and effects, change parameter values and of course play the voices specified for the various parts. 

MIDI messages can be divided into two groups: Channel messages and System messages. Below is an explanation of the various types of MIDI messages which the YPP-100 can receive/transmit. 

Channel Messages
The YPP-100 is an electronic instrument that can handle 16 channels. This is usually expressed as "it can play 16 instruments at the same time." Channel messages transmit information such as Note ON/OFF, Program Change, for each of the 16 channels.

(Table)
Message Name	YPP-100 Operation/Panel Setting
Note ON/OFF	Messages which are generated when the keyboard is played. Each message includes a specific note number which corresponds to the key which is pressed, plus a velocity value based on how hard the key is stuck.
Program Change	Voice number (along with corresponding bank select MSB/LSB settings, if necessary).
Control Change	Messages that are used to change some aspect of the sound (Damper, Reverb Depth, etc.)
(Table end)

System Messages
This is data that is used in common by the entire MIDI system. System messages include messages like Exclusive Messages that transmit data unique to each instrument manufacturer and Realtime Messages that control the MIDI device.

(Table)
Message Name	YPP-100 Operation/Panel Setting
Exclusive Message	Reverb/Effect settings, etc.
Realtime Messages	Start/stop operation

The messages transmitted/received by the YPP-100 are shown in the MIDI Implementation Chart on page 45. 

MIDI Terminals
In order to exchange MIDI data between multiple devices, each device must be connected by a cable. 
The MIDI terminals of the YPP-100 are located on the rear panel.

MIDI IN	Receives MIDI data from another MIDI device.
MIDI OUT	Transmits the YPP-100's keyboard information as MIDI data to another MIDI device.

NOTE
Special MIDI cables (sold separately) must be used for connecting to MIDI devices. They can be bought at music stores, etc.

Never use MIDI cables longer than about 15 meters. Cables longer than this can pick up noise which can cause data errors.


Connecting to a Personal Computer

By connecting your YPP-100's MIDI terminals to a personal computer, you can have access to a wide variety of music software.
When using a MIDI interface device installed in the personal computer, connect the MIDI terminals of the personal computer and the YPP-100.
Use only special MIDI cables when connecting MIDI devices.

Connect the MIDI terminals of the YPP-100 to the MIDI terminals of the personal computer.

(Figure)

NOTE
When connecting the YPP-100 to a personal computer, first turn the power to both the YPP-100 and the computer OFF before connecting the cable. After connecting the cable, turn the power to the computer on first, then turn on the YPP-100.

When using a MIDI interface with a Macintosh series computer, connect the RS-422 terminal of the computer (modem or printer terminal) to the MIDI interface, as shown in the diagram below. 

(Figure)
Computer (sequencer software)
RS-422
MIDI Interface
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
YPP-100

NOTE
When using a Macintosh series computer, set the MIDI interface clock setting in the application software to match the setting of the MIDI interface you are using. For details, refer to the owner's manual for the software you are using.

When connecting to a computer with a USB interface, use the Yamaha UX16 USB/MIDI Interface.  Connect the UX16 and the computer with a standard USB cable, then make the proper MIDI connections between the YPP-100 and the UX16.

(Figure)

This is the end of the file.