My Yamaha P-95 Won't Show Up as a Midi Device

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Level 1

8 points

My Yamaha P-95 Won't Show Up as a Midi Device

I was using my Yamaha P-95 as my midi keyboard in Logic 9, which I tested again today and it was fine so I know the midi ports on my keyboard are okay. I have upgraded to Logic Pro X and I'm trying to set up my keyboard as a midi device, but it looks like my new Mac Mini won't recognize it. I have it hooked up via a midi to USB-C cable, which seems to be working. In Logic, it says there is a USB Midi Interface under the Midi settings. But no matter what I do, I can't get a signal when I press the keys. Please help!

Posted on Sep 12, 2020 11:16 PM

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Answer 1

Wilddrums

Level 5

4,274 points

Sep 13, 2020 6:03 AM in response to kat7240

Logic 9 is from 2013 or before. Going to Logic Pro x means to update a lot of things. What changed?

"I have it hooked up via a midi to USB-C cable". You mean a MIDI/USB interface? Cheap ones don't work well if they work at all. USB-C? So you got it recently?

macOS and Logic versions?

WD

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Answer 2

kat7240 Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 13, 2020 6:39 PM in response to Wilddrums

Thanks for the reply! The computer is new so I just downloaded the free 90 day trial of Logic Pro X (it didn’t have any versions of the software before).

With regard to the cable, yes I just got it yesterday - the brand is DigitalLife. Had good reviews...? Any thoughts would be much appreciated! Thanks!

[Image Edited by Moderator to Remove Personal Information]

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Answer 3

Wilddrums

Level 5

4,274 points

Sep 13, 2020 8:02 AM in response to kat7240

I'll guess you're using Logic 10.5.1 and macOS 10.15.

The MIDI interface. look fine. Putting that aside for now.

Check the connection of the MIDI cables to the P-95. Typical error is reversed IN/OUT.

WD

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Answer 4

Wilddrums

Level 5

4,274 points

Sep 13, 2020 12:38 PM in response to kat7240

OK. So the physical connections seem right and the MIDI interface shows up in the MIDI Studio.

You open Logic, press keys on the P-95 and nothing appears on the LCD?

In Logic, you create a Software Instrument Track, insert an Instrument on the corresponding Channel Strip, press keys on the P-95 and you get no signal?

WD

Note: you have four things that are different from your previous setup:

New computer

New MIDI Interface

New OS (Catalina)

Version of Logic (10.5.1 ?)

It is likely one of them that causes the problem.

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Answer 5

Wilddrums

Level 5

4,274 points

Sep 13, 2020 2:01 PM in response to kat7240

There are other posts about the same issue. For most of them, the problem was with the MIDI interface.

Let try this:

Quit (Command-Q) all applications.

Power OFF everything.

Unplug everything.

Power ON everything.

Plug back everything.

Login to the computer. Wait.

With no other applications running, open Logic.

Any Changes?

Also, it could be useful to know:

Model of the Mac Mini.

macOS and Logic versions.

Anything else installed on the computer?

WD

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Answer 6

kat7240 Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 14, 2020 7:33 AM in response to Pancenter

Thank you! The lights DON’T light up when I press the keys. I wondered if this was because the overall setup was incorrect, but they should light up when plugged in regardless? Only the USB-C light is on.

Thanks!

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Answer 7

Pancenter

Level 6

14,686 points

Sep 14, 2020 11:08 AM in response to kat7240

The lights will blink only when MIDI data is passed to and from the computer. The MIDI out port on the keyboard has the cable marked MIDI IN connected...yes. if that's correct check the p-95's MIDI setup and see if MIDI in/out needs to be enabled

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Answer 8

Wilddrums

Level 5

4,274 points

Sep 14, 2020 11:15 AM in response to Pancenter

Pancenter,

I assumed that the P-95 setup is OK since the OP said it works with its previous computer. Also the OP confirmed the MIDI OUT/IN connection. I still think that has to be double-checked...

What remains is the MIDI Interface.

Thanks for jumping in BTW.

WD

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Answer 9

kat7240 Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 14, 2020 1:43 PM in response to Wilddrums

I was using a different cable to hook up the Yamaha to my old computer - I had it running through my old FireWire Preamp. I think I should return the Midi to USB-C cable and see if a new one will fix the issue. The midi lights don’t respond when I push down the keys no matter how I plug in the in/out to the keyboard. Will that be a good place to start?

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