Yamaha P-120 Electronic Piano & Garageband

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Level 1

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Yamaha P-120 Electronic Piano & Garageband

I have a Yamaha P-120 Elec. Piano with MIDI compatibility which I would like to hook up to my MacBook just to do some recording- nothing too complicated. I just got Garage Band and would like to try to use it but I have little tech. experience and not sure what I need to connect it (if it can be done). Does anyone have any experience in this area and what accessories would I need to make it work (if it can be done). Thanks so much for your help. Ellen

PS: I can provide specs for my Yamaha elec piano if that would help ....

MacBook1,1, Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Dec 30, 2007 9:19 AM

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Answer 1

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Dec 30, 2007 9:22 AM in response to nellsblue

All you should need is an inexpensive MIDI interface:

(Click the "MIDI" link in the right hand sidebar)

http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/Interfaces.html

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Answer 2

nellsblue Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 30, 2007 9:33 AM in response to HangTime

The users maual says it has built-in computer interface for direct conection to personal computers running advanced music software.

Keep in mind that this is all foreign to me - I really just know how to play piano! - and I'm sure it's in black in white in the manual, but still not quite sure ... it says:

" to connect to an Apple Mac Series Computer connect the TO HOST connector of the P-120 to the modem or printer port on your Mac, depending on which port your MIDI Software is using for MIDI data communication, using a standard Macintosh 8-pin system peripheral cable. .... you may have to make other MIDI interface settings on the computer side, depending on the type of software you use In any case the clock speed should be set to 1 MHz."

That doesn't mean much to me though ....;-)

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Answer 3

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Dec 30, 2007 9:37 AM in response to nellsblue

I'm afraid it means less then very little, that is a very old manual, there is no printer or modem port on your computer (and there hasn't been on any Macs for a long time)

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Answer 4

nellsblue Author

Level 1

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Dec 30, 2007 9:38 AM in response to HangTime

yeah, it's about 4 years old - so I guess it's pretty much a lost cause?

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Answer 5

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Dec 30, 2007 9:41 AM in response to nellsblue

if it has a MIDI jack, all you need is the interface.

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Answer 6

nellsblue Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 30, 2007 9:47 AM in response to HangTime

Okay, so if I pick up the Edirol UM-1EX USB MIDI Interface - just plug it in and go from there ? That would be cool if that's all it takes ... (sorry it if takes you explaining it to me like a I'm a two year old, but until now, have had absolutely no interest in the tech. side of stuff.... will learn though ...really!!)

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Answer 7

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Dec 30, 2007 9:50 AM in response to nellsblue

you might want to check edirol's web site and/or email them to be sure they have any needed drivers for your OS. A lot of companies have been a little bit behind on getting drivers out for system 10.5.x

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