Does anyone here know if the USB/Midi port on the YPG525/625 is capable of functioniong as an 88 key controller for external gear?

I had someone ask me the other day, and I don't know anything about these newer models. The guy wants to use the YPG to control another keyboard--to give him 88 weighted keys.

Is it possible?

Thanks,
Squeak

That is the main achilles heel of the new YPGs. They have USB MIDI ports, but no standard MIDI IN/OUT. In order to use the 625/525/225 as a controller you will have to attach it to a computer with two USB ports and a MIDI patchbay program. Then you will have to attach a MIDI to USB converter to the synth you want to control.

All the MIDI/USB converters on the market go in one direction -- from standard MIDI to USB on a computer. Maybe someday they will come out with a USB to MIDI converter that doesn't require a computer in the loop, but right now, it doesn't exist.

I sent an email to Yamaha customer support asking about this. Here is their reply, in part:

"`Serious synth guys' probably need MIDI connections, but the YPG625 is not the right choice for a serious synth guy for many reasons. Regarding why the engineers designed it without MIDI jacks, I'm afraid we will have to live without the answer to that question. I am not privvy to the whys of their decisions, nor will an answer be forthcoming if I should ask.

Regards,

[His Name]

Yamaha Customer Support"

Rick

Yamaha doesn't even respond to their own techs!!
Starkeeper

Ezackly. Or maybe their engineers don't respond to their PR people.

It's good business to withhold certain features to keep certain price points. (Translation: they don't want this machine taking sales away from their over $1,000 Pro boards!) But it would be bad business to explain precisely why you are doing this.

R.

WOW! What a bombast!

"Serious synth guys probably need midi connections".

How insulting is that to "serious", and not so serious arranger players I think it was a very poor decision. If it's competition with their current products, then it shouldn't matter if the midi is there or not. Even without the midi the YPG/625 already (since it now has balanced hammer action) will compete with the P60/70, and even the P140 series. Personally I think that's a very standard and basic feature that wouldn't have hurt them in any way to add.

I'll probably try talking the guy into getting the M-Audio ProKeys88. It's one hell of a controller with a few sounds as an added bonus. Check out the specs. It's price range is that of the Yamaha P60/70

Features

88-key graded hammer-action keyboard
126-note polyphony with single, split and layer modes
Pitch and modulation wheels plus three pedal inputs
3 reverb spaces plus chorus, rotary, tremolo and 2-stage equalizer
Dedicated volume faders for master, layer and split
3 velocity curves plus fixed velocity to optimize feel
Built-in USB MIDI interface with MIDI In/Out jacks
Headphone and 1/4” stereo outs
Stunning stereo grand piano samples with 3 velocity layers
Large 64MB sound bank with 14 world-class instruments


Squeak

Don't be too harsh on Yamaha. I think the support guy was trying to be helpful. In the rest of the email he tried to go through some options with me, and the term "serious synth guy" was his quote from MY email. Maybe a more accurate term would be "serious sequencer people."

I don't blame Yamaha for trying to extract maximum profit from their innovations in the home market. But I do think some time THIS YEAR there will be a product in the $800 range like the YPG-625, with MIDI IN/OUT and also a line IN connector (also missing on the 625).

And probably just when some other manufacturer comes out with such a machine, Yamaha will come out with a USB to MIDI converter for $19.95.

R.

Squeak, the comment I've read about the M-Audio kbds, is that people REALLY don't care for the action. A Privia 310 might be another option.

R.

I've read numerous review on the M-Audio keybeds. Apparently this model and the model below it with 88 semi-weighted keys and only 7 sounds have good reviews. It's their other models "especially" their $199.00 88 key semi-weighted USB controllers that are "junk".

I did actually suggest one of the Casio model to him. He wants the unit to at least have pitchbending (I suggested the PX-555 as well for him to consider).

Personally I think midi controllers are a rip off! I can't believe the prices on some of them (no sounds, sequencers, ect), just keys with some buttons, sliders, switches, and so on. I've seen these things top $1,000. WOW!

Squeak

I tried the $199 88 key m-audio control at GC. IMO, it was terrible. Felt like a cheap toy. I was going to ask m-audio if the 88 key semi-weighted piano had the same action or not.

It's my understanding that they actually improved the keybed on the semi-weighted digital/midi controller. I'm going to assume you're talking about the ProKeys 88sx.

For the price (if the keybed is improved), it would make a very nice controller as well as portable stage piano.

I'm glad I own the MO8 Although it's not graded action it still feels AWSOME!, and it's not only a great synth/workstation, it's a BEAST of a controller.

Squeak