Choosing your set up for Yousician piano

You can play Yousician piano with an acoustic and an electric piano, as well as a MIDI-keyboard without built-in sound modules. To get the most out of the piano learning path, we recommend a 61 key instrument. To make sure Yousician can hear you, it’s important to choose a good setup. Here are some options. 

Use your device microphone

This is the simplest set up; place your device nearby and start playing your piano. Yousician listens via the microphone built-in to your device (e.g. phone, tablet, laptop). 

Tips

• Set your device volume to about half-way. If it’s too loud, it interferes with Yousician hearing your piano.
• Use headphones to improve recognition. You can use wired headphones, or Bluetooth ones.
• If Yousician can’t hear you, check that Yousician has access to your device microphone.

Use a MIDI connection

If your piano has a MIDI In/Out connection or a USB B port, you have the option to connect it to your device. To do this, you need something between your piano and your device, called an audio interface. It changes your piano signal into something your mobile device or computer can understand.

MIDI set up examples for iPhone and iPad

For a piano with a USB B port, you need a USB A to B cable. It is also known as a printer cable. You also need a lightning to USB adapter.

1. Connect the lightning adapter to the iPhone/iPad.
2. Plug the USB A end of the cable to the lightning adapter.
3. Connect the USB B end of the cable to the piano. 

If your piano has MIDI In/Out ports, you need a device compatible MIDI to USB interface, and a lightning to USB adapter.

1. Connect the lightning adapter to the iPhone/iPad.
2. Plug the USB A end of the MIDI to USB interface to the lightning adapter. 
3. Connect the MIDI In cable into the MIDI Out port in the piano, and the MIDI Out cable into the MIDI In port.

MIDI set up examples for Android

On Android devices with OS version 7 or later, MIDI support requires that the device supports USB host mode. Note that on some Android devices the USB host mode has to be manually enabled. The device also needs a fast enough processor to not miss notes and to provide enough power through the USB port. 

For a piano with a USB B port, you need a USB A to B cable. It is also known as a printer cable. 

• For devices with a Micro USB port, you also need a USB type A to Micro USB adapter.
• For devices with a USB type C port, you also need an OTG USB type A to C adapter.

1. Connect the adapter to your device.
2. Plug the USB A end of the cable to the adapter.
3. Connect the USB B end of the cable to the keyboard.  

If your piano has MIDI In/Out ports, you need an Android compatible MIDI to USB interface. You also need an adapter, based on your device port type, as mentioned above.

1. Connect the adapter to the device.
2. Plug the USB A end of the MIDI to the USB interface to the adapter. 
3. Connect the MIDI In cable into the MIDI Out port in the piano, and the MIDI Out cable into the MIDI In port. 

MIDI set up examples for PC/macOS

For a piano with a USB B port, you need a USB A to B cable. It is also known as a printer cable. Note: If your Mac doesn't have regular sized USB ports, you need a USB C to B cable instead. 

1. Plug the USB A end of the cable to the device.
2. Connect the USB B end of the cable to the piano. 

If your piano has MIDI In/Out ports, you need a PC/macOS compatible MIDI to USB interface. 

1. Plug the USB A end of the interface to the device. 
2. Connect the MIDI In cable into the MIDI Out port in the piano, and the MIDI Out cable into the MIDI In port. 

If your keyboard or electric piano comes with drivers, make sure to install them as well.

Once connected, and you launch Yousician, press any key on your piano. You should see the MIDI keyboard pop up. Select the Yes, use MIDI option. You can also check that the MIDI Input toggle is active via the Advanced settings option under the Game tab.

You might see MIDI sensitivity option in the Advanced audio settings in the Game tab. This refers to a feature some keyboards have, that perceives how hard/soft you play a key. The more strength you use, the louder the sound produced. With higher sensitivity chosen, Yousician recognizes it and produces the MIDI sound accordingly. 

Next up: How the piano learning path works