Choosing your set up for piano

You can play Yousician piano with an acoustic and a digital piano, as well as a MIDI-keyboard without built-in sound modules. To get the most out of the 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 in your device (e.g. phone, tablet, PC/Mac). 

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 connect wired headphones, or Bluetooth ones, to your device. 
• If Yousician can’t hear you, check that Yousician has access to your device microphone.

Use a MIDI connection

Check the back of your piano to find what type of output ports it has. If you find MIDI In/Out ports or a USB B port, you can connect it to your device. If your piano supports a Bluetooth connection, you can use it to wirelessly connect to your device. 

When you connect your piano, it improves note recognition. For set up examples, check the connection specific sections below.

MIDI option with a USB B port

When your piano has a USB B port, you need a USB cable that matches the port on your piano. On mobile devices, you also need an adapter, so that you can connect the USB cable to your device. Check the USB port type on your mobile device, to determine which adapter you need.

1. Connect the adapter to your device. If you use Yousician on a PC/Mac, you likely do not need an adapter.
2. Plug the USB cable to the adapter.
3. Connect the USB cable to the USB port on your piano.
4. Open Yousician, press any key on your piano and select Yes, use MIDI button, to complete the connection.

You also have the option to pick the MIDI sensitivity in the Advanced audio settings in the Game tab. With the high sensitivity option, the built-in piano sound is louder than if you pick the low sensitivity option.

MIDI option with a MIDI In/Out ports

When your piano has MIDI In/Out ports, you need a device compatible MIDI to USB interface. On mobile devices, you also need an adapter, so that you can connect the interface to your device. Check the USB port type on your mobile device, to determine which adapter you need.

1. Connect the adapter to your device. If you use Yousician on a PC/Mac, you likely do not need an adapter.
2. Plug the USB end of the 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.
4. Open Yousician, press any key on your piano and select Yes, use MIDI button, to complete the connection.

You also have the option to pick the MIDI sensitivity in the Advanced audio settings in the Game tab. With the high sensitivity option, the built-in piano sound is louder than if you pick the low sensitivity option.

Tips for Android devices:

• check that your device supports USB host mode. Note that on some Android devices the USB host mode has to be manually enabled. 
• Check that the device provides enough power through the USB port. 

Tips for PC/Mac:

• If your digital piano or MIDI keyboard comes with drivers, make sure to install them.

MIDI option with a Bluetooth connection

Bluetooth set up on iPhone/iPad

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your device, and check your piano manufacturer instructions for pairing your piano with your device.
2. Open Yousician and go to the Advanced audio settings in the Game tab. 
3. Select Connect Bluetooth MIDI keyboard option. 
4. Select your piano from the list of Bluetooth MIDI devices and complete the pairing.
5. Go back to Yousician, press any key on your piano and select Yes, use MIDI button, to complete the connection.

Bluetooth set up on Android

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your device, and check your piano manufacturer instructions for pairing your piano with your device.
2. Open Yousician and go to the Advanced audio settings in the Game tab.
3. Select Connect Bluetooth MIDI keyboard option.
4. Select the “Allow” button on the pop up screen.
5. Select the “Pair” button to complete the pairing.
6. Press any key on your piano and select Yes, use MIDI button, to complete the connection.

Bluetooth set up on PC/Mac

1. Check your piano manual to ensure any drivers required are installed on your device. 
2. Check your piano manual for pairing instructions and complete the pairing. 
3. Open Yousician, press any key on your piano and select Yes, use MIDI button, to complete the connection.

Tips: 

• You also have the option to pick the MIDI sensitivity in the Advanced audio settings in the Game tab. With the high sensitivity option, the built-in piano sound is louder than if you pick the low sensitivity option.
• You need to complete the pairing process at the start of every session. 

Mixer feature

When your piano is connected to your device, you can access the Mixer feature from the Pause menu. You can use Mixer to adjust the volume of the built-in piano synthesizer.

To access the Mixer, tap or click anywhere on the song screen and select Mixer from the Pause menu. 

Note: wireless technology can be too slow when used with musical instruments. This can lead to increased latency. If your piano is connected to your device, the Mixer feature stops working when the app detects increased latency.

Next up: How the piano learning path works