Rainbow Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 Could someone help me out with how to best connect the Privia PX-5S to a Focusrite 4i4 to a mac? As far as I can see, looks like the lead that came with the Focusrite is the one that connects to a computer. So now I just need to connect the piano to the Focusrite. Am I right in thinking I can choose to do this either by midi cables or a usb cable? I REALLY wanted to set this up today but I only ordered one midi cable and from what I've read I would need 2, one from piano midi in to focusright midi out and one from focusrite midi in to piano midi out? But as I'm gonna have to order a new cable either way, I'm now wondering whether it might be better to order a usb cable instead? Looks like the Focusrite came with a USB C to USB A? Did it? I'm really not sure. Am I right in thinking I would need a USB A to USB B to put the A end in the computer and the B end in the piano? And then also connect the Focusrite to the computer with the cable it came with? So I just need a USB A to USB B cable? Is that right? That's the normal rectangular USB in the computer to the square one in the back of the piano? I also read that connecting a midi controller keyboard via USB means you can power it through that connection, thus removing the need for the keyboard's power cable? Is that true when you are using a Privia PX-5S as your midi keyboard or does that only work with small midi controller keyboards? Should I keep the power cable plugged in? ✨Thank you for any help!✨ Please assume no technological knowledge on my part with your reply! I have literally only ever used my piano as a piano and know pretty much nothing yet about audio interfaces, music production or cables. I will be so excited when I can actually set this up though! And Happy Easter!✨🥚🌼🐣🌸🐇🦋✨ 🌈 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 a) You cannot power the PX-5S via the USB cable. Keep it plugged in (or run it off the batteries if you must…) 2) The connection from the PX-5S to the interface you use depends upon what you want to do. If you want to record the sounds that are generated by the keyboard, you will need some audio cables, probably 1/4" TS cables (mono), one each for the right and left sides. You would only use the USB out on the PX-5S to record MIDI, which would be used to play instruments in the software on your computer. Then you would be using the PX-5S as a controller, something it is excellent at, by the way. And yes, then you could connect the USB out of the PX-5S to the USB port on the computer directly. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainbow Posted April 13, 2020 Author Share Posted April 13, 2020 Thank you so much! That's great! Yes, I'm going to try using it as a Midi controller. Woo hoo! I'm off to Amazon to order a USB cable now. I have never been so excited about cables in my life! 💛🌈 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainbow Posted May 4, 2020 Author Share Posted May 4, 2020 Hi! I now have a USB A to USB B cable but the "B" bit is too big! It's the bit that goes in the back of the piano. So can anyone tell me which cable I actually need? 3rd time lucky I am hoping 😊💛🌈 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainbow Posted May 4, 2020 Author Share Posted May 4, 2020 Okay - I think I found out. Apparently there is a USB 2.0 B and a USB 3.0 B !!!!!!!!! I appear to have the USB 3.0 B and possibly it is the USB 2.0 B that is actually needed for the piano. Is it ? Does anyone know? ARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Not that finding the right cable is a frustrating process or anything. Wouldn't it be nice if it said WHICH USB connection it is on the back of the piano instead of just "USB". Because how are you supposed to know there are a GAZILLION different types of USB connection? And can someone please tell me whether it IS a USB 2.0 B I need? And are there any more sub-categories I need to know about? USB 2.0 B type x? USB 2.0 B type y? I HATE cables! I did well persuading myself to be excited about cables last time but flipping heck. THIS is why I have always hated them. Because it's hard to find the information on which one you need and then you get the wrong one. Twice. And then you consider giving up altogether and living in a cave with a penny whistle 😊💛🌈 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainbow Posted May 4, 2020 Author Share Posted May 4, 2020 Well I've done some Tai Chi and I'm feeling at one again with The Spirit of Cables so have just ordered a USB A to USB 2.0 B and it will be here by Friday. (Thank you Spirit of Cables and thank you Amazon). Then I can plug it all together - (assuming it really is the right cable this time as I'm hoping the Spirit of Cables will let me know through one of you guys before then if it isn't) - and be welcomed into the wonderful world of music production! Where I have absolutely no idea what will happen. But I do know I have to be okay with not having an actual clue about any of it. And I have to overcome the false belief that I will never be able to learn how to do it. Because why not. Got to start somewhere 😊💛🌈 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted May 5, 2020 Share Posted May 5, 2020 It's considered the same as a USB printer cable. AFAIK, most or all printers that connect over USB use the same cable as Casio keyboards with a USB port. It's sort of square, but it only connects one way because one side has 45° edges on it. Make sure that the cable you already have doesn't have those and you just didn't line up the 45° sides with the corresponding ones in the keyboard. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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