Q&A for How to Connect a Yamaha Keyboard to a Computer

Use the MIDI port instead if there is one. If not, your keyboard might not be able to connect to the computer.

Most likely, yes. Almost any keyboard that you can connect to your computer will have MIDI capabilities.

Have you tried plugging the -IN- MIDI cable in the -OUT- port on your keyboard, and the -OUT- MIDI cable in the -IN- port? They will not work if put the other way around.

To find out, check the back of the keyboard and check whether it has a midi input/output.

Google has several Macintosh/ Windows/ IOS/ Android versions. If they don't have your version, you might want to look for a Windows-Mac converter.

Check your audio devices. Your piano may have had a driver failure/error and may need to be updated.

For recording purposes, yes. You would need a DAW (digital audio workstation) software for being able to use it as a midi keyboard. If you want to use the pre-loaded sounds on the PC, you will also require a sound card.

To stop your keyboard from playing its own sounds while using GarageBand, turn off the "Local Control" setting on the keyboard. Check the settings or menu for this option and set it to "Off." If your keyboard doesn’t have this setting, you can lower its volume or plug in headphones to mute its sound. This way, only GarageBand’s audio will play.

You can't use the Yamaha as a MIDI controller with your tablet, but you can connect it for audio using a 3.5mm audio cable. Plug the keyboard’s headphone jack into your tablet’s input or use an adapter if needed. This allows you to record the sound of your keyboard in apps that support audio. If you need MIDI functionality, you'll need an external MIDI adapter or a keyboard with MIDI capability. For basic audio recording, the cable method will work fine.

Enable split mode to divide the keyboard into two sections. Choose the sound or instrument for the lower half in your sound settings. Adjust the split point for note allocation, and test it to make sure it works. Refer to your user manual for model-specific steps.

The PSR-SX600 sends MIDI data over USB, but not audio. To record audio, connect the keyboard's audio output (such as the headphone jack) to an audio interface, then connect that to your computer. In your recording software, be sure the correct input is selected (your audio interface) to record the actual sound from your keyboard.

You'll need a USB Type B to Type A cable. You can find this cable at local music stores, online retailers like Amazon, or electronics stores such as Best Buy or Walmart.