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Keyboard cables and pedals

To connect your keyboard to your computer, you'll need a MIDI cable and either a digital or analog cable. For background information on how to connect your keyboard, please see the Using a Keyboard with MIDI page.

MIDI cables

There are 2 types of MIDI cables. If you check your soundcard and see 2 ports for MIDI In and MIDI Out, then you need the standard MIDI cables. If your soundcard doesn't have these ports (common for non semi pro/professional soundcards), then you need a MIDI cable which will plug into the joystick port.

Audio cables

There are 2 main types of audio cables: digital and analog. To use a digital cable, both your keyboard and soundcard need to have digital ports. To check, look for a port labelled 'Digital Out' or 'S/PDIF Out' on your keyboard and soundcard. If your keyboard and souncard don't have these ports, you'll need a analog cable as your audio cable.

Keyboard pedals

Pedals are very useful for your keyboard playing. If you've played piano, you'll be familiar with the different types of pedals such as sustain and sostenuto. There are various types of pedals available for keyboards which plug into the 'Pedal' port of keyboard. A keyboard can have from 1 to 3 pedal ports. Check your keyboard manual to see what types of pedals are compatible with your keyboard. Usually, most keyboards will have at least a port for the sustain pedal.
  • Sustain pedal: used to hold a note without a key having to remain pressed, works in the same way as the sustain pedal on a piano
  • Expression pedal: used to change the volume of a note, useful to create expressive sounding strings, winds and brass sounds

MIDI cables ~ Audio cables ~ Sustain pedals ~ Expression pedals

MIDI cables

SignalFlex MIDI Cable: standard cable, various lengths available

 

MAudio Sound Card MIDI Adapter Cable: for soundcards with a joystick port but no MIDI In/Out ports

 


Audio cables

Monster Cable IDL100: digital cable (for S/PDIF coaxial port), various lengths available

 

Spectraflex Instrument Cable: analog cable (1/4 inch wide), various lengths available


Sustain pedals

Roland DP8: for Roland keyboards

 

QuikLok VFP125: compatible with most keyboards

 

Yamaha FC4: for Yamaha keyboards

 


Expression pedals

MAudio Expression Pedal: compatible with most keyboards with an expression pedal port

 

Roland EV5: for Roland keyboards

 

Yamaha FC7: for Yamaha keyboards

 

© 2005-2006 Catherine Duc. Copyright notice: All music on this site is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this music and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner. Queries about licensing music for commercial purposes can be sent to catherine_duc@yahoo.com

Disclaimer: Information in the links section is provided for personal use and is correct at the time of writing. For the latest detailed specifications, click on the product links. Informational advice written by the author may not be reproduced without authorization. Product graphics on this page used with kind permission from zZounds.