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P-80
F8
MIDI Functions
● A Brief Introduction to MIDI
MIDI, the Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is
a world-standard communication interface that
allows MIDI-compatible musical instruments and
equipment to share musical information and
control one another. This makes it possible to create “systems” of MIDI instruments and equipment that offer far
greater versatility and control than is available with isolated instruments. For example, most MIDI keyboards
(including the P-80, 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 re-
ceived from a P-80, for example. When the re-
corded data is played back, the P-80 automatically
“plays” the recorded performance in precise detail.
The examples given above really only scratch the surface. MIDI can do much, much more. The P-80 MIDI
functions allow it to be used in fairly sophisticated MIDI systems.
After selecting “F8.Y”, press the [+/YES▲] button to engage the MIDI function sub-mode, then use the
[TEMPO/FUNCTION# ▼,▲] buttons to select the desired MIDI function, as listed below.
NOTE
• The rear-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 36). 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.
F8.1: MIDI Transmit Channel Selection...........................................................................................
F8.2: MIDI Receive Channel Selection.............................................................................................
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 de-
vices 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 information.
This allows the sequence recorder to “play” two completely different parts on the receiving instru-
ments or tone generators.
(Set to receive on MIDI channel 1)
(Set to receive on MIDI
channel 2)
The Function Mode
MIDI Cable
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
Playback Data
Data Being Recorded
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
MIDI OUT
MIDI IN
Tone Generator
MIDI INMIDI IN MIDI THRUMIDI OUT
Synthesizer
or
Tone Generator
Sequence
Recorder
Sequence
Recorder
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