Disklavier

So George, I decided to try this out having just bought a new iPad2.

I bought a generic USB and HDMI combined adapter - didn't see the point in buying these separately when I could have them on one device.

Also, there many cheap MIDI to USB cables on the market - just look on eBay.

So having got all this and tested them to ensure they were working I started the setup for my MKIV. I've hit a couple of snags.

Firstly, the MIDI cables - the ports on the DKV are almost impossible to access. Has anyone else noticed this?? I've used MIDI cables before and they're fairly standard in terms of the end connectors but for whatever reason, Yamaha has installed the units under the piano in such a way as to make these ports virtually inaccessible. There is a wooden support strut only an inch or so away from the ports (particularly the MIDI OUT port). The only thing I can possibly consider is to unscrew the control unit?! Perhaps I'm missing a trick here and there are another pair of MIDI ports more easily accessible. Can't believe I'm the only one to experience this.

I eventually did manage to get a connection into the MIDI IN (MIDI OUT was not possible) and so hooked up the iPad. With a similar experience to testing the HDMI port with a television, the iPad didn't recognise the connection immediately, perhaps there was some hidden installing of a driver or whatever. 

However, after a few minutes the MIDI connection was visible from the HCX application. A reassuring power light was seen on the cable display unit with a little flashing MIDI OUT light - so power from iPad to cable was sufficient.

All good so far (noting that I was only able to try out the MIDI OUT from the iPad to MIDI IN on the DKV). I found this a bit hit and miss. Some of the built in midi files were able to control the piano both hands, some when played only played the right hand, others didn't play either hand. Perhaps this is something to do with the midi files themselves rather than the piano or HCX software. I made sure that the '2-hand' mode was on throughout. The background accompaniment was sent successfully to the DKV synthesizer for all tracks. If the piano tracks were not sent to the piano keyboard, the DKV synthesizer played the piano part.

Now I'm assuming that this problem was not caused by having just one MIDI connection to the piano, but who knows, perhaps this isn't an issue if I was able to plug in the MIDI OUT port.

Otherwise, this is a great application. I can't wait to get the MIDI OUT connection made to try out the learning/following functions of HCX. If you need some input from a product improvement perspective I'd be happy to provide this.

I'd be grateful if anyone could provide some advice on the MIDI port accessibility issue and some insight into the 2-hand /1-hand/no-hand issue too.

Thanks
Mark


--- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>
> Good evening, everyone.
> 
> Both the UX16 and the UX96 are USB MIDI interfaces. The UX16 has two hardwired MIDI cables as part of the interface: one connects to MIDI Out of your keyboard and one connects to MIDI In of your keyboard.
> 
> The UX96 has MIDI In and Out ports but you need to supply MIDI cables to connect to them. The interface also supplies a serial port. The serial port is essentially an obsolete port. However, if you have a Mark III or older Disklavier or similar generation tone generator with a serial port, you can use that port if you wish.
> 
> NOTE: A Disklavier owner informed me the other day that he could not get the UX96 to work with the Apple Camera Connection Kit USB adapter and the iPad. Based on his experience, it seems as though the device may require more power than the iPad is willing to provide. I have not had a chance to verify this.
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
> 
> www.georgelitterst.com
> www.timewarptech.com
> www.zenph.com
> 
> On Jun 19, 2011, at 9:14 PM, Joseph F. Bert, CFP, AIF (Joe@...) wrote:
> 
> > Where does one get the UX16 or 96 and what is the difference? Tx 
> > 
> > Sent from my iPad 
> > 
> > On Jun 17, 2011, at 7:45 PM, "nehs1975@...<mailto:nehs1975@...>" <nehs1975@...<mailto:nehs1975@...>> wrote: 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Very, very cool! Great job! 
> > 
> > 
> > ----- Reply message ----- 
> > From: "George Frederick Litterst" <PianoBench@...<mailto:PianoBench@...>> 
> > Date: Fri, Jun 17, 2011 10:21 am 
> > Subject: [disklavier] iPad magic for your Disklavier 
> > To: <disklavier@yahoogroups.com<mailto:disklavier@yahoogroups.com>> 
> > 
> > Good morning, everyone. 
> > 
> > I am pleased to announce that Home Concert Xtreme for the iPad is now available in the iTunes store. It was accepted by Apple 2 days ago. 
> > 
> > If you have fantasized about being able to play your Disklavier and enjoy automatic page-turning and orchestrated accompaniments that actually follow your playing, you need not fantasize any longer. You can now enjoy these features with your Disklavier and iPad. 
> > 
> > As many of you know, HCX is a software program for Macintosh and Windows computers (and now iPad) that works with Standard MIDI Files. This includes most of the MIDI files available for the major piano methods and supplementary books, piano concerto MIDI files, and properly formatted MIDI files that you create yourself or find on the Internet. HCX turns the keyboard part into standard notation for display on the screen. As you play, HCX accompanies you by playing the other tracks. 
> > 
> > Imagine being able to see your music on a handy tablet display, resize it using the "pinch" and "spread" techniques, or turn the pages by swiping the screen. Even better, imagine connecting the iPad to your Disklavier and letting HCX turn your pages automatically and musically coordinate accompaniment tracks with your playing. If you are learning a new piece and want some help, HCX will patiently wait for you to play each not correctly and even show you the right note if you get mixed up. If you engage Perform mode, the program will actually coordinate the accompaniment tracks with your playing. 
> > 
> > To connect an iPad to your Disklavier, use a MIDI interface (such as the Yamaha UX-16 or UX-96) and attach it to Apple's Camera Connection Kit USB adapter for the iPad. Alternatively, use the iPad-native iConnectMIDI interface (www.iconnectivity.com<http://www.iconnectivity.com>) and 2 MIDI cables to connect directly to the iPad itself. 
> > 
> > HCX for iPad has a built-in General MIDI tone generator. You wont need to use that with a Mark IIXG or later Disklavier. However, if you have an older Disklavier that lacks a GM tone generator or a Yamaha MIDI instrument that lacks the GM voices--such as an AvantGrand or a CLP Clavinova, you can use the built-in GM tone generator and route its sound through speakers. 
> > 
> > HCX for Macintosh and Windows costs $99.00. HCX for iPad will be a $39.99 program starting August 1, 2011. Between now and then, we have placed it in the iTunes store at an introductory price of $9.99. 
> > 
> > You can get more information about the program here: 
> > 
> > <http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/home-concert-xtreme/id443017184?mt=8>http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/home-concert-xtreme/id443017184?mt=8 
> > 
> > Even more information, including a video and a PDF manual, is available here: 
> > 
> > <http://www.zenph.com/zenph-software/home-concert-xtreme/hcx-for-ipad.html>http://www.zenph.com/zenph-software/home-concert-xtreme/hcx-for-ipad.html 
> > 
> > Regards, 
> > PianoBench 
> > 
> > George F. Litterst 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > <http://www.financialgroup.com/>[cid:image9b10ec.jpg@...] 
> > 
> > Joseph Bert CFP�, AIF� 
> > joe@... 
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