Connect A Music Keyboard
Today, almost all wired keyboards use USB as the interface to the computer. Older computers may use PS/2 as an interface to the computer. If your keyboard is wireless, it can be communicating over Bluetooth, RF (radio frequency), or IR (infrared).
Below are the steps on how to connect each of these types of computer keyboards.
Connecting With Bluetooth. This is a very similar process, only you don’t need a USB cable. Make sure your laptop has Bluetooth turned on and then search to connect with your keyboard. If you can’t immediately find it, make sure you check your MIDI keyboard manual as this will show you any further instructions you may need for a specific. A MIDI keyboard uses the Musical Instrument Digital Interface protocol to send signals to a synthesizer or other sound-generating device. Hook a MIDI keyboard up to your computer, then use it to control your digital audio workstation or any MIDI-capable virtual instrument.
TipIf you want to disconnect a keyboard from a computer, do the opposite of the steps provided on this page.
Connecting a USB keyboard
TipWhen connecting a USB keyboard, the computer can be off or on during the installation.
Connect the USB keyboard to the USB ports on the back or front of your computer. If you're using a USB hub, it can also connect to the hub. However, we recommend a direct connection to the back of the computer if possible.
If you have a laptop computer, an external keyboard can also connect to one of the USB ports. If no USB ports are available, a USB hub would be needed.
After the keyboard is connected, it should automatically be detected and installed. If the keyboard has any special features, you need to install the keyboard software and drivers.
Connecting a wireless keyboard
All wireless keyboards have a receiver that is plugged into the computer (usually by USB connection), and the keyboard connects to that receiver wirelessly. Connect this receiver either into the back or front of your computer. Once connected, make sure your wireless keyboard has batteries or is charged and turned on.
To turn these keyboards on, flip the keyboard over and look at the back of the keyboard. Near the bottom or top of the keyboard should be a switch that can be moved to the on or off position.
TipTo communicate wirelessly with the computer, your keyboard must have a good signal between the computer and the keyboard. Make sure your keyboard has a good line of sight to the receiver. If the receiver has no extension cable, move the USB receiver from the back to the front of the computer.
After the keyboard is connected, it should be automatically detected and installed. If the keyboard has any special features, you need to install the keyboard software and drivers.
Connecting a PS/2 keyboard
NoteThe computer needs to be off when connecting or disconnecting a PS/2 keyboard.
- Connect the keyboard to the PS/2 port on the back of the computer.
- When looking at the back of the computer, you'll notice two PS/2 ports next to each other. Verify you're connecting the keyboard to the purple connection, as shown in the picture below. If the PS/2 ports are not color-coded, the keyboard connection is closest to the left edge (when looking at it from the back). With vertical connections like in the picture below, the keyboard connection may be either port, depending on the case and motherboard. Look for a small keyboard symbol next to the port to identify which one is for the keyboard.
TipIf you are unsure which PS/2 cable is for the keyboard when under your desk, the PS/2 keyboard cable is often thicker than the PS/2 mouse cable.
NoteNewer computers no longer have PS/2 ports. If you have a PS/2 keyboard and a computer with no PS/2 ports, we suggest purchasing a USB keyboard or a PS/2 to USB converter.
Install software and drivers
If your keyboard has special features like a touchpad, special buttons, or wireless functionality, model-specific drivers need to be installed for them to work properly. Install them from the disc provided with the keyboard or download them from the support section of the manufacturer's website.
Troubleshooting
- Keyboard help and support.
Additional information
- See the keyboard, PS/2, and USB definitions for further information and related links.
Connect A Magic Keyboard To An Ipad
If you have a Yamaha keyboard that has a “USB TO DEVICE” port – that is, an instrument with an input for a USB flash drive (also called a “thumb drive”) – you can turn it into a music player. Popular models with this facility include the PSR-E443, Tyros5, Clavinova CLP-535 and Clavinova CVP-705.
Here’s how:
1) Purchase a title from the online Yamaha PianoSoft catalog. Here you’ll find hundreds of examples of piano music, complete with background tracks. Be sure and choose your model in the instrument selection box (shown below) while browsing to see compatible titles:
2) After purchasing, your selection will be available for download. You can either download it right away from your final checkout screen, or download it later from your account:
3) Like any downloaded file, it will be stored on your computer. When you click the download button, pay attention to where the file is being saved since you will need to find it again in the next step. Often, customers simply save it to their desktop screen for easy retrieval.
4) Insert a USB flash drive (thumb drive) into your computer.
5) Find the downloaded PianoSoft file on your computer and copy (drag) it to the USB flash drive.
6) Remove the USB flash drive from your computer and insert it into your keyboard’s USB port. This port may be on the front or the back of the instrument, depending on your model:
Connect Music Keyboard To Laptop
7) Use your instrument’s display menu to locate the USB drive and select the title:
8) Now you can interact with the song just like the other built-in songs on your instrument. Play, pause, rewind, transpose, speed up and slow down – or just listen! Yamaha’s library of PianoSoft music can offers endless ways to enjoy your instrument. And don’t forget to check out all the other great products from YamahaMusicSoft.com!