From mkarl2@uswest.net Sun Apr 25 12:21:31 2004
Subject:Re: Help For 1st-Time MIDIer?

Hi Adam.

First, get a MIDI cable long enough to reach from your CX3 to the
Casio. I assume you want to play the CX3 keyboard and have the Casio
play the same notes, but trigger the Casio patch you desire, such as
strings.

This is do-able.

MIDI is a serial protocol which runs across two-conductor cables at
31.2Khz. Not real fast in an era where 100Mbit/sec Ethernet is
commonplace. That's why someone mentioned that if you daisy-chain
MIDI devices, a delay can build up. Not a problem for you.

As others mentioned, connect the cable - a 5-pin DIN cable (though
only two leads are active) from the CX3 MIDI OUT to the Casio MIDI
IN. Obviously the line level audio output(s) need to be connected to
amplification.

At its simplest, you merely pre-select the String patch on the Casio,
and play the CX3, and you should hear strings. However, MIDI also
transmits many other kinds of data besides notes.

You may find that as you change settings on the CX3, that weird
things happen on the Casio. Because MIDI will also transmit patch
change information. If you find the Casio patch is getting changed
when you do things on the CX3, you need to dive into the CX3 manual
and determine how to suppress sending MIDI patch changes. Also
there's a misunderstanding between instrument manufacturers (mainly
between Yamaha and everyone else) which could cause the notes from
the Casio to be one octave different from the CX3. In that case
you'd need to dive into the Casio manual and determine how to tell
the unit to dynamically transpose incoming notes where you want them.

Oh-volume. You might want to vary the volume of the Casio vs. the
CX3. The simplest would be to use any volume pedal supplied with the
Casio. The next simplest would be to get an analog volume pedal and
insert it between the instrument and amplification. You don't want
to get into MIDI volume pedals at this time, believe me.

That should get you going.

Karl