52
MIDI
The PSR-172/170 also features MIDI terminals, allow-
ing you to interface the PSR-172/170 with other MIDI
instruments and devices.

■ About MIDI• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a worldwide standard that is built into many elec-
tronic musical instruments and other digital music related devices, allowing them to be connected
and “communicate” with each other.
For two MIDI instruments to communicate, they must be connected by MIDI cables. In a basic
example, the MIDI IN and MIDI OUT terminals of the PSR-172/170 could be connected to the
MIDI OUT and MIDI IN terminals of a sequencer, allowing you to record and play back perfor-
mance data from the PSR-172/170.
The instruments communicate with each other by sending “messages” or MIDI data. The sending
instrument usually assigns the data to one of sixteen MIDI channels, then transmits it over the
MIDI cable. The cable itself, however, is not divided up into sixteen channels. Just as with a tele-
vision set that receives programs on different channels, it is up to the receiving instrument to “tune
into” the proper MIDI channel. If the sending and receiving channels on the respective instruments
do not match, the receiving instrument may not understand or respond to the one sending.

■ How Can MIDI be Used? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

In the simple, yet powerful MIDI application example below, the Yamaha
QY70 Music Sequencer is used to record and play back performance data
played on the PSR-172/170 keyboard.
Before actually recording to the sequencer, press the [ACCOMPANIMENT
ON/OFF] button once or twice to make sure that the current settings are
sent.
Receives MIDI data
from the connected
sending device.
Transmits MIDI data (key-
board performance) to the
connected device.
GrandPno
Connect the MIDI IN of
the PSR-172/170 to the
MIDI OUT of the QY70
Connect the MIDI OUT
of the PSR-172/170 to
the MIDI IN of the QY70
• On the PSR-172/170, the following chan-
nels (eight total) are enabled for MIDI
reception: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10. The MIDI
transmit channels are fixed to the following
data:
Ch. 1 : Keyboard, harmony
Ch. 2 : Bass
Ch. 3 : Chord
Ch. 4 - 7 : Other
Ch. 10 : Rhythm
• Parts that have been recorded using the
PSR-172/170 should also be played back
from the PSR-172/170. Data may not play
back as expected when using other sound
sources (such as the internal sounds of the
QY70). Also, a connected sound source
may sound at a different octave from that
originally played on the PSR-172/170.
• MIDI data cannot be transmitted during
song playback.
• Avoid using MIDI cables 15 meters or
longer, since doing so can result in MIDI
errors.
Viewing the Notation for MIDI Channel 1
• The PSR-172/170 has a special function
that lets you view the notes of the MIDI data
(channel 1 only) on the display.