connecting a digital piano to macbook

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Level 1

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connecting a digital piano to macbook

I have a roland 530e piano and a macbook with garageband 3 on it. How do I connect them up? What cables do I need and do a need a midi interface?

Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Oct 15, 2008 4:14 PM

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Answer 1

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Oct 15, 2008 4:17 PM in response to eviemac

What cables do I need and do a need a midi interface?

it depends what you want to record. if it's your MIDI performance, then a MIDI interface. if it's the sound your piano makes, then all you need is an audio cable

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Answer 2

eviemac Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 16, 2008 2:26 AM in response to HangTime

I just want the piano sound. So that means I just need a cable which plugs my computer directly into my piano - seems too simple?!

Thanks - this is helpful!

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Answer 3

Oct 16, 2008 3:40 AM in response to eviemac

seems too simple?!

Well - it has to be the right cable plugged into the correct jack. 🙂

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Answer 4

sdbyrd

Level 1

1 points

Nov 13, 2008 7:36 AM in response to eviemac

You will simply need a headphone-style connector with the proper size from your piano (full size most likely) to a 3.5mm on your computer's sound card.

Alternatively you can purchase a USB to MIDI cable (I prefer Turtle Beach) and hook it up that way.

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Answer 5

Nov 13, 2008 7:52 AM in response to sdbyrd

Alternatively you can purchase a USB to MIDI cable (I prefer Turtle Beach) and hook it up that way.

No, the OP said clearly that he/she wants to record the piano's sound.

And since he/she hasn't followed up on the question for 4 weeks, I guess it was answered completely!!

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