Table of Contents
Advertisement
8. MIDI
Applications
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is the stan-
dard interface used to link electronic musical instru-
ments together.
This chapter deals with possible applications of MIDI
and the C-900. For those interested in the details of
MIDI, there are many well-written books available on
the subject.
Using the C-900 with an external
sequencer
As you know, you can use the C-900 Backing Sequence
mode for recording sequences, and the Song Play mode
to play back Standard MIDI File sequences. However,
you may want to use a computer software sequencer to
record your compositions. Usually, these sequencers
offer advanced editing capabilities, but no interactive
functions.
If you will be using the C-900 keyboard to enter note
data into the computer sequencer, make the following
connections:
Computer
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
In this setup, data from the C-900 keyboard is sent
from the C-900 MIDI OUT jack, and is received by the
MIDI IN jack of the computer's MIDI interface. When
playing back sequences, MIDI data from the computer
is sent via the MIDI interface's MIDI OUT jack, and is
received by the C-900 MIDI IN jack.
MIDI Interface
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
If you want to use additional keyboards or sound mod-
ules:
Computer
MIDI IN
MIDI THRU
MIDI IN
In this setup, data from the C-900 keyboard is sent
from the C-900 MIDI OUT jack, and is received by the
MIDI IN jack of the computer's MIDI interface. When
playing back sequences, MIDI data from the computer
is sent via the MIDI interface's MIDI OUT jack, and is
received by the sound module's MIDI IN jack. This
data is then passed on from the sound module's MIDI
THRU jack to the C-900 MIDI IN jack.
The Global channel for Backing Sequence mode and
the MIDI channels for each track can be set in Disk/
Global mode. When receiving SMF data from an exter-
nal device to play the C-900, set the MIDI channel con-
figuration of the C-900 in Song Play mode. You can
specify initial program, volume, panpot, and effect
send values in the song itself, or you can send these
messages from the computer via MIDI.
For a list of the C-900's programs and the MIDI bank
number and MIDI program number that corresponds
to each program, refer to the "Program list" in appen-
dix D of the Reference Guide.
When using the above setup, it is recommended to set the C-900
Local Control parameter to OFF. (This parameter can be found in
Disk/Global mode.) Set the computer sequencer to echo the data it
receives from the MIDI IN jack, back to the MIDI OUT jack. The
parameter that controls this function has a different name depend-
ing on the software you use. Some common names are echo back,
patch thru, echo on, etc.
By turning Local Control off, you break the connection between the
C-900 keyboard and its tone generator. This way, the C-900 acts as
a separate MIDI keyboard and independent tone generator. The
sequencer's echoing function allows you to play the C-900 tone
generator, as well as the MIDI sound module's tone generator, from
the C-900 keyboard. If the sequencer's echoing function is turned
on, and the C-900 Local Control parameter is also set to ON, two
notes will be played by the C-900 tone generator for every one note
sent out from its keyboard.
8. MIDI Applications
MIDI Interface
MIDI OUT
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
61
Advertisement
Table of Contents
