CVP, computers and such

[jamiew]

What does midi in/out/through mean? Does that have anything to do with me wanting to attach my notebook? This is one of the major factors in my decision making....is there a difference b/w the 203/205 in this regard? Do they all have USB connections?

I want to use my notebook to recored my music, print music sheets, play midi files through the CVP etc.

Explanations are greatly appreciated!

[jcfeli]

The MIDI protocol is a one-directional system. Therefore, you need one MIDI IN cable to go FROM your computer .. INto your CVP, and you need a second MIDI OUT cable to go from your CVP back to your computer.

The MIDI THRU is a way to daisy-chain link two or more MIDI devices. The THRU connection simply passes the MIDI information that came in to it ... on to the next device, without processing it in any way by the first MIDI device.

Regarding USB connections, I am not well enough versed in the CVPs you mention to say if they have them. However, the workaround for a CVP with no USB is a ~$40 purchase from MIDIMAN, whose one end contains a USB connector for your computer, and whose opposite end contains MIDI IN and OUT connections for your MIDI device.

Regards,

Joe

[mdoyle]

I just got one of the MidiMan USB "Uno" devices mentioned above. It has the appropriate MIDI connectors on one end (that plug underneath the keyboard of the CVP on the left, and a USB connector at the other end for your notebook. Some driver software loads on your notebook that makes the USB appear as a MIDI device.

Then you can use any sequencer, etc (Band-in-a-Box - excellent for jammin') and transfer your creations direct or from the on-board CVP sequencer. You can also transfer from the notebook, any downloaded MIDI file (from the net), or karaoke files too.

Regards
Mike

[ragvand]

Jamie,
With MIDI connections between your notebook computer and a CVP you will be able to record your music to your computer as long as you have a proper sequencer program on your computer such as Cakewalk or Music Studio. You will also be able to play MIDI files from your computer to the CVP. The basic playing and recording of midi files can also be done on a CVP without a computer being connected. If you are planning on doing a lot of editing and modifying of the midi file, it is best to use a computer sequencer program to do this rather than the CVP's internal one. As far as printing sheet music, say from a midi file that you recorded from your CVP, you can do that as well but you will need the proper software program. These applications are geared towards the professional musician and can get quite pricey. They do produce beautiful sheet music as if you bought them from the store.

A midiman with a USB connection on one end and MIDI connections on the other end allows you to connect your computer's USB port to the Clavinova's MIDI port. This is usually used on computers that do not have game ports that allow you to use normal MIDI cables. You cannot plug the USB port end of a midiman into the new even number Clavinovas USB port. The USB ports on the new Clavinovas are used to transport files from your computer's USB port using a standard USB cable. When you are connected via the MIDI ports on your Clavinova you are transferring midi data for playing and/or recording. When you are connected via the USB ports on the new Clavinovas you are transferring files (i.e. Copying) from your computer to the Clavinovas internal memory, or vise versa. There is no way to copy files from/to the Clavinova using the MIDI ports with the odd number Clavinovas, this must be done using the floppy drive. Hope this helps.

Vic