Beatrice Lang
There are a variety of electric pianos available in the market that have MIDI ports. MIDI, which stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a specification that enables musical instruments like pianos to communicate with other devices. MIDI ports are important for connecting your piano to a computer or other devices, and for controlling music production software. Some electric pianos with MIDI ports include the Yamaha P125, Yamaha P series, and the Roland FP-10.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electric pianos with MIDI port | Roland FP-10, Yamaha P45/125/120/125, Casio Privia (from the 2000s), Korg SP-280, StudioLogic SL88, Yamaha NP11, Roland FP90x, Korg Nanokontrol2, Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII |
| MIDI connection methods | Traditional 5-pin MIDI cables, USB, Bluetooth |
| MIDI capabilities | MIDI In, Out and Thru |
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What You'll Learn
Digital pianos as MIDI controllers
Digital pianos can be used as MIDI controllers, and this is a great way to expand your musical horizons. MIDI is a language that allows one device to control another. Using your digital piano as a MIDI controller allows you to connect to a vast array of additional hardware and software.
To connect your digital piano to a laptop, you may need to install a driver, but many products are class-compliant, so no additional software is needed. You can connect your piano to your computer via USB, Bluetooth, or traditional 5-pin MIDI cables. With USB, you simply plug a USB cable into both devices. Bluetooth is also an option, but it used to be known for latency issues, so if you are using an older piano, you may run into problems.
MIDI cables can be daisy-chained together by connecting a cable from the Thru port on the first device to the In port on the next. You can also use products like IK Multimedia iRig MIDI 2 to mix and match various flavours of MIDI connectors and mobile devices. MIDI is allocated across 16 channels per port, so you need to ensure your piano and external device are communicating on the same channel.
Digital pianos differ from dedicated MIDI controllers in that they generate sound and have built-in speakers, whereas MIDI controllers do not. MIDI controllers usually have a multitude of pads, buttons, and encoders that can be assigned to any MIDI task. They may also have faders, knobs, and drum pads. If you are a pianist, a digital piano with MIDI capabilities may be preferable to a dedicated MIDI controller, but if you are a producer or multi-instrumentalist, a dedicated controller may be a better fit.
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Bluetooth MIDI connectivity
MIDI, short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a technical standard that allows electronic musical instruments to communicate with each other. In the past, specific cables were required for MIDI connections, but nowadays, Bluetooth is a common feature in digital pianos, allowing for wireless connectivity with other devices.
The Roland FP-10 is one of the most affordable options for a digital piano with Bluetooth MIDI connectivity. It offers all the essentials, including a metronome, transpose function, dual and twin piano modes, and USB MIDI connectivity. Another option is the Roland FP-90X, which has the most Bluetooth functionalities currently available in a digital piano. It offers audio playback and Bluetooth MIDI, along with exceptional speakers and connectivity.
For those seeking a more affordable option, the Rockjam 54 is a recommended choice that is compatible with iPads and costs around $72. Additionally, the Korg D1 is a stage piano priced at around $730, offering a 5-pin MIDI connection and the same RH3 keybed found in more expensive Korg keyboards.
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5-pin MIDI
MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. It is a technical standard that allows electronic musical instruments to communicate with each other. MIDI itself does not produce audio, but it can transmit data that controls the playback of music, such as which notes are played, how loud they are, and the tempo of the song.
The 5-pin MIDI connection is a type of MIDI connection that uses five pins to transmit data. The five pins are typically labelled as:
- Ground
- Attention
- Receive
- Send
- Shield
However, pins 1 and 3 are not connected to anything. Pins 4 and 5 carry the signal. The 5-pin MIDI connection is considered a premium feature on most new keyboards. Some keyboards that feature 5-pin MIDI include:
- Korg D1
- Korg SP-280
- Roland FP-10 (via an adapter)
If you are using 5-pin MIDI cables, you will need to run a connection from the MIDI Out port on your piano to the MIDI In port on your external hardware. Some devices also have MIDI Thru ports, which enable you to daisy-chain equipment together.
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USB MIDI
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol for exchanging data between electronic instruments and computers. In the early 1990s, computers had various types of connectors, such as separate serial ports, parallel ports, and keyboard and mouse connections. This made it challenging to determine if a peripheral device would be compatible. With the advent of MIDI, this issue was addressed, and it has remained relevant by adapting to the evolving methods of data transfer between computers and external devices.
As computers became integral to MIDI systems, USB emerged as the predominant protocol for transmitting MIDI data. USB offers several advantages, including standardised connector types and hot-swappability, eliminating the need for rebooting when connecting or disconnecting devices. Additionally, USB devices are categorised into functional classes, such as audio, image, human interface, and mass storage, enabling the operating system to automatically identify and configure the device.
While traditional MIDI setups relied on 5-pin DIN cables, modern electric pianos often feature USB MIDI connectivity. This allows for a straightforward connection between the piano and a computer or other external hardware using a standard USB cable. Some electric pianos, like the Roland FP-10, have transitioned entirely to USB, forgoing the 5-pin DIN MIDI option.
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Stage pianos with MIDI capabilities
Stage pianos are designed for live performances and the rough and tumble of gigging, so they rarely have speakers. They are also built to be tough and work reliably night after night. Many stage pianos have MIDI capabilities, and some have more extensive MIDI capabilities to manage other on-stage gear.
The Roland FP-10 is a stage piano with USB MIDI connectivity. It does not have a 5-pin DIN MIDI port, but it can be used with an adapter. The FP-30X is another offering from Roland, which features Bluetooth MIDI and Audio. The FP-30X also has a 1-track MIDI recorder.
Korg's D1 is a stage piano with a 5-pin MIDI port. It has the same RH3 keybed as the more expensive Korg keyboards and sells for around $730. The Korg SP-280, which is available for $499, has full-size MIDI ports.
Arturia has a MicroLab MIDI keyboard with a new keybed, sustain input, and USB-C. The Nord Stage series is another range of stage pianos with MIDI capabilities.
The Yamaha CLP-835 is a premium digital piano with USB MIDI and Audio capabilities. The Casio Privia from the 2000s is another option if you want a piano-weighted keybed and built-in speakers.
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Frequently asked questions
Some electric pianos with a MIDI port include the Roland FP-10, Yamaha P125, Yamaha NP11, and the Korg SP-280.
Some affordable electric pianos with a MIDI port include the Casio Privia from the 2000s and the Korg D1.
Digital pianos can work great as MIDI controllers, especially if you already have a use for the digital piano as a digital piano. They can be more cost-effective than dedicated MIDI controllers and often have a similar number of keys.
