As someone who uses an shs 200 primarily, this video is extremely informative and is amazing information for anyone considering getting one or trying to understand theirs better. 👏👏
oh man, I had it for a year now and thought the pitch was not working - even thought about modifying it to add support - turns out my launchpad was just eating the commands... Big thanks, this adds soooo much to it!
Great video! I use the Shs10 and I am quite pleased seeing all the 200 has to offer. It looks like the keysize is the same (but there are more of them). Keeping these Keytar relics alive is the duty of users like us
Good Day! I'm currently a music student and am having difficulty understanding the configuration of how to set my shs 10 as a midi controller; Im using windows 10 with ableton as well, and was wondering if you were able to configure your keytar to ableton through your midi monitoring software. Despite what you say in your video, is it still possible to simply use a 5-pin midi in and out to usb cable in order to use my keytar as a midi controller? Is there any other type of free softwares I need to download (besides a daw, a midi monitoring software and a synth wavetable) in order to use my keytar as a midi controller to ableton live? I seriously dont want to stress more on the midi setup for my keytar, let alone have to sell it for a modern midi keyboard- shs 10 and 200 are relics!
Sure, USB-to-MIDI should do the trick, and that's really all you need. Just connect it to your laptop, launch Live and select the SHS-10 as your MIDI input under preferences, both "track", "remote" and "sync". Then you can use Live's own MIDI learn functionality to assign one or all the 3 assignable buttons to any function in Live's own Wavetable synthesizer if needed and you're good to go!
@TheNeonSyndicate Hey there! Great advice, though as I tried it, Ableton still does not seem to read the midi device despite modifying the midi preference. I've asked my professor about it and he suggests to download a driver; did you use any driver of sort to make your computer read your shs-10, or are there any free drivers you suggest I download?
@@marcoinfante3291 Sorry man, I'm on Mac so no drivers needed. Weird, USB-to-MIDI should be plug & play on Windows, too, though... What cable are you using? Also, could you provide a screenshot of your Ableton MIDI preferences?
Thanks for this very informative video. What is tha MIDI over Bluetooth dongle called? Is there any way to connect the keytar without using a digital audio interface?
Hey my pleasure. The dongle I'm using is the WidiMaster by CME. I'd recommend it for many reasons, the main one being that it's the only product I've found where you can separate the MIDI In dongle from the MIDI Out one - as you can see, I only have one dongle because the SHS-200 only has a MIDI Out port. All the other ones I've seen have both the In and Out dongle connected by a cable you cannot unplug, so if you only have one Out port, like me, you'd plug in the Out dongle but the In one would just be hanging there, which would be very annoying. As far as audio interfaces, I use the one built into my laptop and get ridiculously low latencies, so if you have a decent laptop and unless you need multiple physical ins and outs, in other words: if you purely create your sounds with software synths, I'd say don't buy one.
This has a DIN 5-pin MIDI output, so any classic old MIDI cable will do the trick. Haven't tested USB-to-MIDI cables but I'd imagine those would work, too.
excellent question. I have a WidiMaster by CME and am very happy with it. It's the only one I've found so far where the MIDI-In dongle is detachable (don't need it 'cause this keyboard only has an output) and there are relatively frequent firmware updates plus a bunch of useful options you can set in its app.
HELP! My SHS-10 is not working right. When I turn it on it just loop something that was recorded and no keys or button do anything. Any idea what I should do? Thank you
@@TheNeonSyndicate I'll try again. I've pushed every button trying to see if anything works. All buttons and keys do nothing. It just plays the loop as soon as the switch is turned to "on"
@@TheNeonSyndicate I just went through the whole manual and there is no reset procedure in there. I did contact Yamaha and they sent me to a local repair store that charges $125 just to look at it. I don't have to money for that. I did make a video of the issue but if I can't figure it out I'll probably just have to part out the thing on eBay which I don't really want to do. I got it basically brand new still in the box ruclips.net/user/shortsuKJa92PJAr4?si=3jhmK7RwviOKNEf9
Really happy to see this video! Great informative stuff. Even for someone who is getting started on midi. I would like to point out that this video also answers a very specific question: The SHS-200 is capable of powering the widi master through midi out! I had concerns the vintage circuitry might result in the midi out not carrying enought power for the transmitter and haven't found anyone using this combo but you got it perfectly running. Also I now finally understand the difference between single and dual hand play. All in all, thanks dude. Happy to see someone rocking this model through plugins in 2023/2024
Oooh, I kinda want to get an SHS-200. Would you say it's worth it? I like it because it has 4 octaves but the limited octave is kind of a bummer. Edit: Ended up buying it for $275 from eBay. Will probably modify it to have internal USB midi interface and USB power
Well listen, if you have the skills to do that mod, then more power to you! As far as is it worth it, here's my thoughts. If you absolutely need all the latest & greatest in terms of MIDI technology, you want your velocity, aftertouch, tons of knobs & sliders and all that, then this definitely isn't for you. But if you're one to see limitations as a challenge to think outside the box and make work with what you have, then all in all I have to say this MIDI controller offers quite a bit to get you started!
@@TheNeonSyndicate too n00b for those features tbh. Worst case, i could make a foot pedal midi that can send some of those midi signals to a midi merge with this thing lol.
@@fvig2001 Yeah, that's what I did. Got myself an iRig PADS by IK Multimedia so I can do some finger drumming and djing, too. But if you intend to just play keyboard, this thing alone should probably work just fine 👍
As someone who uses an shs 200 primarily, this video is extremely informative and is amazing information for anyone considering getting one or trying to understand theirs better. 👏👏
Why, thank you! Appreciate your kind words. You us MIDI mostly, too, or its own sounds as well?
oh man, I had it for a year now and thought the pitch was not working - even thought about modifying it to add support - turns out my launchpad was just eating the commands...
Big thanks, this adds soooo much to it!
My pleasure! Glad to hear other people are enjoying using this controller as well
Great video! I use the Shs10 and I am quite pleased seeing all the 200 has to offer. It looks like the keysize is the same (but there are more of them). Keeping these Keytar relics alive is the duty of users like us
you, sir, are a man of sound values 👏
Good Day! I'm currently a music student and am having difficulty understanding the configuration of how to set my shs 10 as a midi controller; Im using windows 10 with ableton as well, and was wondering if you were able to configure your keytar to ableton through your midi monitoring software. Despite what you say in your video, is it still possible to simply use a 5-pin midi in and out to usb cable in order to use my keytar as a midi controller? Is there any other type of free softwares I need to download (besides a daw, a midi monitoring software and a synth wavetable) in order to use my keytar as a midi controller to ableton live? I seriously dont want to stress more on the midi setup for my keytar, let alone have to sell it for a modern midi keyboard- shs 10 and 200 are relics!
Sure, USB-to-MIDI should do the trick, and that's really all you need. Just connect it to your laptop, launch Live and select the SHS-10 as your MIDI input under preferences, both "track", "remote" and "sync". Then you can use Live's own MIDI learn functionality to assign one or all the 3 assignable buttons to any function in Live's own Wavetable synthesizer if needed and you're good to go!
@TheNeonSyndicate Hey there! Great advice, though as I tried it, Ableton still does not seem to read the midi device despite modifying the midi preference. I've asked my professor about it and he suggests to download a driver; did you use any driver of sort to make your computer read your shs-10, or are there any free drivers you suggest I download?
@@marcoinfante3291 Sorry man, I'm on Mac so no drivers needed. Weird, USB-to-MIDI should be plug & play on Windows, too, though... What cable are you using? Also, could you provide a screenshot of your Ableton MIDI preferences?
Thanks for this very informative video. What is tha MIDI over Bluetooth dongle called? Is there any way to connect the keytar without using a digital audio interface?
Hey my pleasure. The dongle I'm using is the WidiMaster by CME. I'd recommend it for many reasons, the main one being that it's the only product I've found where you can separate the MIDI In dongle from the MIDI Out one - as you can see, I only have one dongle because the SHS-200 only has a MIDI Out port. All the other ones I've seen have both the In and Out dongle connected by a cable you cannot unplug, so if you only have one Out port, like me, you'd plug in the Out dongle but the In one would just be hanging there, which would be very annoying. As far as audio interfaces, I use the one built into my laptop and get ridiculously low latencies, so if you have a decent laptop and unless you need multiple physical ins and outs, in other words: if you purely create your sounds with software synths, I'd say don't buy one.
What kind of midi cable do you need to use midi with this?
This has a DIN 5-pin MIDI output, so any classic old MIDI cable will do the trick. Haven't tested USB-to-MIDI cables but I'd imagine those would work, too.
Okay thankyou so much for your help
@@benwiseyoutube Sure. Have fun!
Maybe a dumb question but which Bluetooth adapter do you use?
excellent question. I have a WidiMaster by CME and am very happy with it. It's the only one I've found so far where the MIDI-In dongle is detachable (don't need it 'cause this keyboard only has an output) and there are relatively frequent firmware updates plus a bunch of useful options you can set in its app.
@ awesome thanks so much for this 👌
@@Chub-i6h sure
HELP! My SHS-10 is not working right. When I turn it on it just loop something that was recorded and no keys or button do anything. Any idea what I should do? Thank you
Sounds like the "start/stop" button is active, have you tried pressing it?
@@TheNeonSyndicate I'll try again. I've pushed every button trying to see if anything works. All buttons and keys do nothing. It just plays the loop as soon as the switch is turned to "on"
@@b_ry_ce Sounds like a hardware problem then. You could try a factory reset. Do you have the manual?
@@TheNeonSyndicate ah I see I do have the manual. I'll look up how to reset it and see if that helps. Thank you!!
@@TheNeonSyndicate I just went through the whole manual and there is no reset procedure in there. I did contact Yamaha and they sent me to a local repair store that charges $125 just to look at it. I don't have to money for that. I did make a video of the issue but if I can't figure it out I'll probably just have to part out the thing on eBay which I don't really want to do. I got it basically brand new still in the box ruclips.net/user/shortsuKJa92PJAr4?si=3jhmK7RwviOKNEf9
Really happy to see this video! Great informative stuff. Even for someone who is getting started on midi.
I would like to point out that this video also answers a very specific question:
The SHS-200 is capable of powering the widi master through midi out! I had concerns the vintage circuitry might result in the midi out not carrying enought power for the transmitter and haven't found anyone using this combo but you got it perfectly running. Also I now finally understand the difference between single and dual hand play.
All in all, thanks dude. Happy to see someone rocking this model through plugins in 2023/2024
Thanks! Glad to see there are other vintage nerds out there 😁
Oooh, I kinda want to get an SHS-200. Would you say it's worth it? I like it because it has 4 octaves but the limited octave is kind of a bummer.
Edit:
Ended up buying it for $275 from eBay.
Will probably modify it to have internal USB midi interface and USB power
Well listen, if you have the skills to do that mod, then more power to you! As far as is it worth it, here's my thoughts. If you absolutely need all the latest & greatest in terms of MIDI technology, you want your velocity, aftertouch, tons of knobs & sliders and all that, then this definitely isn't for you. But if you're one to see limitations as a challenge to think outside the box and make work with what you have, then all in all I have to say this MIDI controller offers quite a bit to get you started!
@@TheNeonSyndicate too n00b for those features tbh. Worst case, i could make a foot pedal midi that can send some of those midi signals to a midi merge with this thing lol.
@@fvig2001 Yeah, that's what I did. Got myself an iRig PADS by IK Multimedia so I can do some finger drumming and djing, too. But if you intend to just play keyboard, this thing alone should probably work just fine 👍