13
CLP-920
MIDI Transmit & Receive Channel Selection...................................................................................................
Tone Generator
MIDI IN
MIDI IN MIDI THRU
DOU-10
MIDI OUT
Clavinova
(Set to receive on MIDI
channel 2) (Set to receive on MIDI channel 1)
MIDI Functions

● A Brief Introduction to MIDI

DOU-10
MIDI Cable
MIDI INMIDI OUT
Clavinova
DOU-10
Clavinova
Data Being Recorded
Playback Data
MIDI IN MIDI INMIDI OUTMIDI OUT
MIDI, the Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a world-
standard communication interface that allows MIDI-compatible
musical instruments, computers, and other equipment to share
musical information and control one another. This makes it
possible to create “systems” of MIDI instruments, computers, and
other equipment that offer far greater versatility and control than is
available with isolated instruments. For example, most MIDI
keyboards (including the Clavinova, of course) transmit note and
velocity (touch response) information via the MIDI OUT connec-
tor whenever a note is played on the keyboard. If the MIDI OUT
connector is connected to the MIDI IN connector of a second
keyboard (synthesizer, etc.) or a tone generator (essentially a
synthesizer with no keyboard), the second keyboard or tone
generator will respond precisely to notes played on the original
transmitting keyboard. The result is that you can effectively play
two instruments at once, providing thick multi-instrument sounds.
This same type of musical information transfer is used for
MIDI sequence recording. A sequence recorder can be used to
“record” MIDI data received from a Clavinova, for example. When
the recorded data is played back, the Clavinova automatically
“plays” the recorded performance in precise detail.
The examples given above really only scratch the surface.
MIDI can do much, much more. The CLP-920 offers a number of
MIDI functions that allows it to be used in fairly sophisticated
MIDI systems.
The MIDI system allows transmission and reception of MIDI data
on 16 different channels. Multiple channels have been implemented to
allow selective control of certain instruments or devices connected in
series. For example, a single MIDI sequence recorder could be used to
“play” two different instruments or tone generators. One of the
instruments or tone generators could be set to receive only on channel
1, while the other is set to receive on channel 2. In this situation the
first instrument or tone generator will respond only to channel-1
information transmitted by the sequence recorder, while the second
instrument or tone generator will respond only to channel-2 informa-
tion. This allows the sequence recorder to “play” two completely
different parts on the receiving instruments or tone generators.
In any MIDI control setup, the MIDI channels of the transmitting
and receiving equipment must be matched for proper data transfer. A
“Multi-timbre” receive mode is also available, which allows simulta-
neous reception of different parts on all 16 MIDI channels, allowing
the Clavinova to play multi-channel song data received from a music
computer or sequencer. To select the multi-timbre receive mode, set the
receive channel to “ALL”.
NOTE
•The bottom-panel HOST SELECT switch must be set to “MIDI” in order to use the MIDI connectors. When
you use the TO HOST connector, set the HOST SELECT switch to the appropriate position for the type of
computer you are using (see page 15). In this situation, all MIDI settings described below will have affect on
the MIDI signal in and out of the TO HOST connector.
•Always use a high-quality MIDI cable to connect MIDI OUT to MIDI IN terminals. Never use MIDI cables
longer than about 15 meters, since cables longer than this can pick up noise which can cause data errors.