Apple --> 88 Keys

Hi Gianfranco, no question is stupid...

The connection depends on the MIDI interface you have. If you have a sound card (USB or Firewire) with a MIDI input, you need to buy a MIDI cable and connect it to the MIDI Out on the keyboard and the MIDI In of the sound card. If instead you have a USB MIDI interface, it is much simpler. The USB cable to the PC and the MIDI cable to the keyboard.

I recommend performing these connection procedures with Logic already open.

If you have other problems, you can find us here...

Hello everyone,

thank you for creating this forum; thanks to it, I have discovered the MacBook-digital piano reality, which I am trying to make a reality these days. But I need a little help from you, because I don't yet know the necessary connections well, and I don't have much experience.

In two days, I will have my MacBook Pro with 8 GB of RAM. I already have a Juno GI, initially purchased for the large quantity of sounds useful for playing in a rock band.

However, things have changed quickly, and now I have the need to play in an acoustic guitar-piano duo, which brings the need to obtain a full-bodied piano sound and the possibility of giving greater expressivity to the performance using a wide and, above all, weighted keyboard. The Juno's is truly stressful for this use!!!

I will have to choose a digital piano, but I would like to understand well what I might need, avoiding making another large unnecessary expense...

While keeping in mind that I must purchase an 88-key weighted piano, and since I will be playing live, sometimes in very large spaces, my first question is:

1) is the jack output (L/mono - R), which is only found on pianos from 700 euros up, necessary? Probably not, because the amplification should be connected to the Mac and not to the keyboard?

2) if that were the case, could this cause sound impedance problems or any other type since the connection occurs (I believe) through mini-jacks?

That is to say, do I need an audio interface or is a MIDI-USB cable enough?

3) is 128-note polyphony important, or in this case is it the Mac that controls this function? Should I consider it when purchasing the digital piano?

4) based on this, is there a digital piano suitable for the situation, with good mechanics, but not too heavy and that doesn't cost too much since I won't be using its relative sounds thanks to the Mac?

If I didn't need stereo outputs or polyphony, I could focus only on the mechanics and keep prices down by purchasing a good brand keyboard...

Sorry for the storm of questions, I only hope that I have been clear enough...

Thanks for the help

See you soon

Fabio

Fabio wrote:

Hello everyone,

thank you for creating this forum; thanks to it, I have discovered the MacBook-digital piano setup, which I am trying to make a reality these days. But I need a little help from you, because I don't yet know the necessary connections well, and I don't have much experience.

Glad you are enjoying the forum... Let's get to the questions.

Fabio wrote:

1) is the jack output (L/mono - R), which is only found on pianos from 700 euros up, necessary? Probably not, because the amplification should be connected to the Mac and not to the keyboard?

Jack Output -> It is only needed if you intend to use the sounds of the keyboard directly on the amplification system. (However, pay attention to the impedance of the devices; in case of different impedances, you can purchase a DI Box (pronounced 'Box Diai') to place at the input of the amplification system. If you want to play via PC, then you will also need to verify the impedance of your audio interface's line out and that of the amplification system, otherwise, as usual, use an interposed DI Box.

Fabio wrote:

2) if that were the case, could this cause problems with sound impedance or any other type since the connection occurs (I believe) through a mini-jack?

In other words, is an audio interface needed or is a MIDI-USB cable enough?

If you want to play with a PC, you need a MIDI cable and, if using a DI Box; otherwise, if you want to play directly with the keyboard, you only need the DI Box and the signal output cable.

Fabio wrote:

3) is 128-note polyphony important, or in this case is it the Mac that controls this function? Should I consider it when purchasing the digital piano?

It depends on the keyboard. Whether the keyboard manages notes in polyphony regardless of MIDI, or if the things are separate. Ask about this at the time of purchasing the keyboard.

Fabio wrote:

4) based on this, is there a digital piano suitable for the situation, with good mechanics, but not too heavy and that doesn't cost too much, given that I won't be using its relative sounds thanks to the Mac?

If I didn't need stereo outputs or polyphony, I could focus only on the mechanics and keep costs down by purchasing a good brand keyboard...

Sorry for the storm of questions, I just hope I have been clear enough...

Thanks for the help

See you soon

Fabio

You need to try to be a bit more specific. If you are not interested in anything regarding the keyboard's sound, you could even think about opting for a MIDI controller (silent keyboard) to save something and focus on the mechanics. However, it is necessary to know what level of keyboard you require. 88 keys? Weighted? Action/Mechanics? Double escapement simulation?

But most importantly, I don't want to pry into your finances, but what is the Budget; this way we can be direct by focusing on a certain product range rather than another...

Thank you Simone,

so if I understood correctly, the DI box might be useful in any case; I need to check the sound quality first and then decide..

But if I had a suitable audio interface in my Mac, could I avoid purchasing another device like a DI?

As for the keyboard, it must be 88 weighted keys, but compared to you, I think I can be less demanding, because I am not preparing exams for a diploma and I don't study for solo piano concerts..

I need a good feeling with the keyboard and a sound that allows me to get enthusiastic while performing the piece. I don't know many acoustic pianos; I have always had one at home, an upright of medium quality and a bit out of tune, so I cannot go trying digital pianos looking for the one that most resembles a real piano, but rather looking for the one that makes me feel more at ease and comfortable. Furthermore, I wouldn't want the (simulated) action of the digital piano to fail me and deteriorate quickly after a year due to poor quality.

I have been able to try (although here in Catania there are few shops and they are poorly equipped, with few instruments) the Casio CDP 100, 200, PX 135, and at Roland the RD300 and others with similar action, and I must say that despite negative opinions (especially regarding Casio), I have always been satisfied. The problem should be more about the reliability of the instrument and its durability over time, given the price difference, or perhaps a brand issue, but we will only find out by living it...

Regarding the 128-note polyphony issue, in the 400 to 600 price range it is easily found in Casio, whereas on more acclaimed brands like Yamaha, you have to spend more.. As for MIDI controllers, a couple of retailers, including those from Apple, suggested Fatar to me, but I don't know what price range we are talking about.

I have always seen M-Audio on the web; they seem good—there is polyphony, action, and 88 keys—but I can't find any to try in any shop.

I was struck by the Kawai MP6 which I have only heard and seen on YouTube, but it is around 1400, and even though it has a beautiful sound, my choice, once the Mac is purchased, is now different.

Anyway, not knowing many models and not being able to try them, I can only say that given how much the Mac cost me, I didn't want to exceed 800 euros and have:

1) good action,

2) 128 polyphony,

3) reliability (i.e., durability and good quality of materials)

4) weight not exceeding 15 kg (to carry around)

Do you think it's possible?

I saw the Numa keyboards today (again on the internet), they seem suitable for the purpose..

In order of price:

Acuna 88

Numa nano

Numa piano

The price difference is notable, but they seem to have the same action; I didn't quite understand if it depends on connectivity with PCs and sound systems or on various internal features..

Could one of these be more suitable for use as a Master Keyboard?

I tried the Numa nano once and I remember that I didn't dislike the mechanics at all. Honestly, I don't know the features, but if you need it to play with samples loaded on your Mac, aside from polyphony, you don't really need anything else...

Thanks for the advice!

Some people complain in other forums about the key travel being too short, but as I was saying, I am not too demanding, having become used to playing quite expressively even on the Juno GI. However, I will have to find a way to try them and I don't know yet if it is possible in Catania and its province.

I don't think it's a good idea to buy online blindly without even having touched them...

If there is any Sicilian in the forum who knows a shop in any province that might have them, I would beg them to help me...

... or maybe there could be a keyboard that uses the same Fatar TP100 action that is more easily available?

Thanks for the help

See you soon

Fabio

First of all, a keyboard must be tested. So go to a musical instrument store and try as many as you can. You are the one who needs to have a feeling with a keyboard, not me suggesting it to you. I can point out among the various models those that have fewer defects, those that feel most similar to a piano to my touch, and those that I like most in terms of sample quality, but they please me; it doesn't necessarily mean they will please you too... Once you have identified the model that satisfies you most, then you can also purchase online if you cannot find a store near you that has that particular model.

You are absolutely right, but..

Yesterday I called all the shops in Catania and Siracusa: only yamaha, roland, kawai!

No one will order the keyboard that interests me just to let me try it.

I would have to find someone in Sicily who owns a Numa Piano keyboard, or nano, and who is so magnanimous as to let me touch the keyboard for 30 seconds.

Otherwise I have to book a ticket... how embarrassing..

Hello everyone. I need help. I recently bought an Acuna 88 keyboard, but I absolutely cannot get it to work with my MacBook or my iPad. I am surely making some mistakes... but I can't figure out which ones. I also use an M-Audio audio interface. Until now, I have used a Yamaha keyboard and with the USB connection it worked perfectly even with Native Instruments, Logic Studio, and GarageBand programs. But the Acuna88 is idle and does not respond. Where am I going wrong? Thanks for the help and forgive me if I have posted in the wrong forum; if so, please redirect me.

Have you tried connecting the keyboard to the Mac without an audio interface, just with the USB cable, and making the program you use recognize the keyboard itself?

If it still doesn't work even like that, I would perform a reset of the keyboard, unless you have fundamental things on there, but maybe Simone has better answers for you, so wait for his advice as well.

Explain to me how you wire it, from where you start to where you arrive. Sorry if I am not very responsive in replying but I never have a minute.

No problem, we are all overwhelmed. In fact, thank you so far for your attention. I did the tests earlier with the iPad and the iRig. The iGrand Piano app works intermittently. If I also activate the SampleTank app, everything stops and nothing works anymore. So, I connect the Acuna 88 to the Mac via USB to an M-Audio audio interface, which is itself connected to the Mac. In fact, I have never tried connecting it directly without M-Audio. But I have always done it this way because I then connect the interface to the speakers to listen to the audio. Then I start various programs such as Kontakt 5, Acoustic Piano, B II, etc. With the Yamaha, usually everything works perfectly and the Native Instruments sound is truly exciting. I thought that the Acuna 88 was also plug and play, but perhaps I am wrong or making mistakes. Today I tried again with all the programs, including GarageBand, which I use a lot for musical notation. But nothing... The keyboard is effectively silent. I hope for your help, because you can't find anything online. Although to tell the truth, I know very little about MIDI or USB. Thanks again.

Sorry, but I really can't understand what kind of connection you are making... So, I don't know what the keyboard's USB port is for, but I am almost certain it is used to transmit MIDI or to access some kind of internal memory. In any case, I am sure that besides this USB socket, it should have a dedicated MIDI output. Therefore, I don't understand how you connect the keyboard via USB to the sound card, which you then reconnect via USB to the PC.

My advice for the connection is this: buy a MIDI to USB interface. It costs between 20 and 30 euros. At this point, connect the cable using the MIDI connector to the MIDI output of the keyboard and the USB connector (the other end of the MIDI to USB interface) directly to the computer. This way, the PC automatically recognizes the presence of a MIDI bus. In Logic, you will just need to create a Virtual Instrument track and load your preferred sample onto the channel strip, assign the MIDI channel of the keyboard, and you're all set... (Normally channel 1, as it takes the first free channel in the channel array)...

ALTERNATIVE METHOD

Since you have an external sound card, you can also get a simple MIDI cable (MIDI to MIDI) and connect the MIDI output of the keyboard to the MIDI input of the sound card. Ergo, you use the sound card as a MIDI interface.

I hope everything is clear to you.

Ok, I did it. So, the MIDI outputs are used by a gadget called iRig, which serves to connect the Acuna 88 to the iPad or iPhone. On the App Store, there are numerous applications such as iElectric (all electric pianos), iGrand Piano for classical pianos, or SampleTank, which is a real recording studio. Nothing was working because this iRig does not support competition from other connections. So, you connect the iRig on one side to the MIDI outputs of the Acuna 88. Then, you connect the USB power cable and finally connect the iRig to the iPad. However, first you must open the desired application and go to settings to deselect the MIDI connection. After everything is connected as I said before, then you can connect the iRig to the iPad. From the iPad's headphone output, you connect to the speakers and the sound is truly remarkable. Not to mention the practicality of no longer having to carry a computer around for every concert. As for the Mac, however, the situation was simpler than expected. In Utilities, there is the MIDI app. I would open it but didn't notice the recognition of Studiologic. At that point, I activated the recognition and now all my Native Instruments work perfectly. For the rest, the Acuna 88 as a piano is truly remarkable, and there are still many things I have to discover because the instructions are really lacking. I recommend it to everyone for the price, the touch, the dynamics, the flexibility, and especially the low weight. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the suggestions, and see you soon.