Trystan Casey
There are several ways to add output to an electric keyboard. You can connect your keyboard to an amplifier or mixer, or to external speakers. You can also connect your keyboard to a computer, either by using a USB or a 1/4 to 1/8 adapter and a standard instrument cable. If you're using a mixer, make sure not to connect the L and R outputs of your keyboard to one microphone input, as this will cause the mixer to treat the L and R channels as positive and negative channels, resulting in the sound in the centre of the stereo image being cancelled out. If you're connecting to external speakers, you'll need to determine whether your keyboard has a stereo or mono output, and use the appropriate cable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Connection to external speakers | Use a cable with a male stereo 1/4-inch plug on one end and two male RCA plugs on the other. Ensure both devices are turned off before connecting. |
| Connection to computer audio output | Use a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter with a standard instrument cable. A USB connection is also possible. |
| Connection to amplifier or mixer | Use a cable with a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack plug on one end and two 6.3mm mono jack plugs on the other. |
| Connection to guitar amplifier | Connect the headphone output of the piano to the aux input on the amplifier. |
| Connection to multiple synths | Use a device like the Key-Largo, which can connect the analog outputs of up to three synths in mono or stereo. |
| Avoiding ground loops | Use a direct box to provide a balanced XLR output and prevent ground loops, which can cause hum and buzz. |
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What You'll Learn
Connecting to a computer
To connect your electric keyboard to your computer, you need to ensure that your keyboard has the necessary ports and cables. Most modern keyboards will have either a USB port or MIDI ports.
If your keyboard has a USB port, you will need a USB A to B cable to connect it to your computer. Plug the USB B end of the cable (square-ish in shape) into the USB port on your keyboard, and then plug the USB A end of the cable into your computer.
If your keyboard has MIDI ports, you will need a MIDI to USB cable. Plug the MIDI In cable into the MIDI Out port on your keyboard, and the MIDI Out cable into the MIDI In port on your keyboard. If this doesn't work, try reversing the cables. Then, plug the USB A end of the cable into your computer.
Once you have connected your keyboard to your computer, you may need to download the latest version of your keyboard's MIDI drivers. You may also need to adjust your computer's audio settings to ensure that Line In is not muted for playback. If your computer does not have a Line In jack, you can use the mic jack, but you may experience some distortion.
If you are using a Yamaha keyboard, you can download Yamaha's MIDI drivers to your computer. You can then select your keyboard or audio interface as your "Input" device in your computer's sound settings and record MIDI or audio using a digital audio workstation program.
Some keyboards, like the Roland Go:Piano, use Bluetooth to connect to external devices. You can also use apps like Roland's Piano Partner 2 to access internal settings and features on your keyboard.
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Using a direct box
A direct box, or DI box, is a device that allows musicians to connect their instruments to an audio mixing board without adding unwanted noise. DI boxes are useful for electric keyboards because they provide a balanced output that can be sent over long distances without signal degradation. They also help to prevent ground loops, which can cause buzzing and humming noises.
When choosing a DI box for your electric keyboard, you should consider the number of input/output channels you need. If you need to connect stereo signals, such as from a keyboard, you will require a multi-channel DI box. Single-channel DI boxes are more common but DI boxes with two channels are ideal for keyboards.
Another consideration is whether to use a passive or active DI box. Passive DI boxes are more common as they are relatively inexpensive and durable. They are typically used with instruments that have strong outputs, such as electric keyboards, as they can create a saturated sound under the power of high-output audio. Passive DI boxes also feature a ground-lift switch, which can be useful for removing ground loops. Active DI boxes serve as preamplifiers and are useful for boosting high-frequency signals. They are typically used with instruments that have weak outputs.
To connect your electric keyboard to a DI box, simply connect signal cables from the output of the keyboard to the input of the DI box. Then, run XLR cables from the output of the DI box to the input channels in the mixer, amp, or recording device. Some DI boxes also have a "thru" or "bypass" output, which allows you to send the unprocessed signal to an amplifier onstage while also sending the balanced output to the PA system.
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Connecting to an amplifier
Connecting your electric keyboard to an amplifier is a simple process, but it's important to do it correctly to avoid damaging your equipment. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to connect your electric keyboard to an amplifier:
First, check the output ports on your keyboard. The most common output ports on a keyboard are either two 1/4-inch line outputs labelled L/Mono and R (left/mono and right) or a single stereo 1/8-inch jack labelled as an output. If your keyboard has two 1/4-inch line outputs, you will need two cables with male mono 1/4-inch plugs on one end and male RCA plugs on the other. If your keyboard has a single stereo output, you will need a special type of Y cable that has a male stereo 1/8-inch plug on one end and splits into two cables with male RCA plugs.
If your keyboard doesn't have any output jacks labelled, you can use the headphone jack to connect to your amplifier. If your headphone jack is a 1/4-inch jack, you will need a cable with a male stereo 1/4-inch plug on one end and two male RCA plugs on the other. If your headphone jack is a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack, you can connect directly to the amplifier or mixer's input jack if it has one. If your keyboard is a MIDI keyboard, connect it to a laptop or computer first, and then connect the laptop to the amplifier or mixer using the headphone/line output.
Once you have the correct cables, power off your keyboard and amplifier. Turn the output volume on your keyboard to zero, and do the same for the amplifier's volume. Then, plug the cable into your keyboard and amplifier, following the cable instructions mentioned above. Power on your keyboard, and slowly bring up the volume on both the keyboard and the amplifier until you can hear the sound. Be careful with the bass register, as turning it up too high can blow out your speakers.
It's important to note that while it is generally safe to plug a keyboard into a guitar amplifier, there is a risk of damaging your equipment if the output has a lot of bass. Always be cautious and start with lower volumes to be safe.
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Connecting to speakers
Connecting an electric keyboard to speakers depends on the type of keyboard and speakers you have. Here are some common scenarios and methods for connecting to speakers:
Connecting a MIDI Keyboard to Speakers
MIDI keyboards are electronic devices that mimic the sound of a piano or other instruments. To connect a MIDI keyboard to speakers, you'll need an audio interface, which acts as a hub for audio equipment. First, connect the MIDI cable from the keyboard's "MIDI OUT" port to the audio interface's "MIDI IN" port. Then, connect speakers to the audio interface by running a cable from the interface's output port to the speaker's audio input port. Ensure you use separate cables for the left and right speakers.
Connecting a Digital Keyboard to External Speakers
If you're connecting a digital keyboard to external speakers, the process depends on the output ports available on your keyboard and the type of speaker system you have. Here are some common scenarios:
- If your keyboard has two 1/4-inch line outputs labeled L/Mono and R, you'll need two cables with male mono 1/4-inch plugs on one end and male RCA plugs on the other. Connect the L output of your keyboard to the L AUX In, and the R output to the R AUX In.
- If your keyboard has a single stereo 1/8-inch jack output, you'll need a Y cable with a male stereo 1/8-inch plug on one end, splitting into two cables with male RCA plugs. Connect the stereo 1/8-inch plug to your keyboard and the RCA plugs to the corresponding inputs on your speaker system.
- If your keyboard only has a headphone jack, you can use it to connect to your stereo. If it's a 1/4-inch headphone jack, use a cable with a male stereo 1/4-inch plug on one end and male RCA plugs on the other.
- When using a PA system, connect your 1/4-inch line outputs to two channels of the mixer. Set one channel to the left (pan left) and the other to the right (pan right) for true stereo sound.
Using a Keyboard Amplifier
Keyboard amplifiers typically have one built-in speaker and deliver mono sound. To connect your keyboard, simply plug a mono jack cable into the L/Mono output of your keyboard and the mono line input of the amplifier. If you want stereo sound, look for amplifiers with stereo channels, which will have a pair of input jacks. Use two mono jack cables to connect the L/Mono and R line outputs of your keyboard to the amplifier's stereo inputs.
Remember to adjust the volume levels on your keyboard and speakers appropriately to achieve the desired sound output.
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Using a MIDI keyboard
MIDI, which stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, has been around for over 30 years and is used to connect gear so they work together. To use a MIDI keyboard, you will first need to check if your keyboard has a MIDI out port. If it does, you can connect it to your computer using a USB to MIDI adapter cable. Make sure you buy a mid-range USB to MIDI adapter cable as the cheapest ones tend to be very low quality and sometimes don't work. The USB to MIDI adapter cable will have USB on one end and three MIDI ports (MIDI in, MIDI out, and MIDI thru) on the other. Connect the MIDI in of the cable to the MIDI out of your keyboard, and then connect the USB end to an available USB port on your computer.
If your keyboard does not have a MIDI out port, you can add one by following these steps:
- Open up the keyboard and cut off the ribbon cable from the main board that goes to the keys.
- Use a multimeter on continuity (or resistance) reading to attach the probes to two pins at a time and sweep the keyboard to find the keys.
- Solder in all the connections and transfer everything from the breadboard to the proto board.
- Wire the serial output pin of the port to the serial output of the Arduino, which is pin 1 for the Arduino UNO.
- Wire up the ground pin and voltage pins according to the diagram.
- Download the full Arduino code from GitHub, choosing the correct version (pull-up or pull-down).
- Watch the corresponding video to review any necessary changes you need to make to the code to get it to work with your specific configuration.
Once you have connected your MIDI keyboard to your computer, you can use it to control digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Pro Tools, FL Studio, and Ableton Live. You can also connect to a wide variety of MIDI gear such as tabletop synths.
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Frequently asked questions
If your keyboard has a stereo 1/8-inch output or headphone jack, you can connect it to speakers using a long cable with a stereo 1/8-inch plug on each end. If your keyboard doesn't have a stereo output, you can use the headphone jack, connecting it to the AUX input on your speakers. Make sure both devices are turned off and the volumes are set to 0 before connecting them.
Yes, you can connect your keyboard to your computer using a USB cable. If your computer has a Line In jack, you can also use a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter and a standard instrument cable to connect the keyboard output to the Line In input on your computer.
A direct box is a device that helps improve the audio signal quality, reduce noise, and provide greater control over your tone when connecting your keyboard to a PA system or mixer. While it's not necessary, using a direct box can help prevent issues like ground loops, which can cause unwanted hum and buzz.
Yes, you can connect your electric keyboard to a guitar amplifier. If your amplifier has an AUX input, you can connect the headphone output of your keyboard directly to the amp. Alternatively, you can use a cable with a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack plug on one end and two 6.3mm mono jack plugs on the other end.
Some keyboards, like the Technics GA3 organ, have output settings that allow you to control which parts of the keyboard are output to the line out terminal. Refer to your keyboard's manual to understand how to adjust these settings to your preferred configuration.
