Recording Yamaha YDS-150 Digital audio recording to DAW e.g. Reaper

[6441]

I know nothing about Reaper. The OP was talking about the YDS-150, not some generic EWI? This post is a review of the YDS-150, not EWI in general. The YDS USB needs no driver -- well, wait, who knows what version of Windows, so maybe Win or Linux would need software. However, plug the YDS into a recent OS and it should definitely work. And there is only one version of YDS firmware as far as I know.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Sorry about a bit of confusion while moving the posts - but best here rather than in the review comments I think

 

[6441]

Here's the thing. The video you posted, Dave shows a guy doing a demo with an amp. He says the YDS doesn't output audio via Bluetooth, which is true, nor would you want it to, because of latency.

The best sound you'll get recording the internal sounds of the YDS-150 is via the 'Digital Saxophone' USB interface. Why? Because there will never be a difference in level, there's nothing to set.
The second best is via the audio 1/8 jack, which, like any analogue output may be subject to hum or interference.
The least good way is via microphone because of the key sounds as the early demos of the YDS show. But you can do what that guy does in the demo video, plug into an amp and record that. I've been doing that today for short recordings ona phone.

Finally, there must be a way to look at what USB is connected to Windows, outside of DAW software like Reaper. There is on the Mac, it's "Audio and Midi Setup". If you can't see the now famous 'Digital Saxophone' among the inputs, there's something not compatible in the operating system.

 

[shamba504424]

Possibly another dumb question but really technical,would an audio interface help me in any way in regard to using the YDS150?

 

[shamba504424]

meant to put not really technical

 

[mizmar]

Possibly another dumb question but really technical,would an audio interface help me in any way in regard to using the YDS150?

I reckon you need a long bit of wire. A 3.5mm audio cable.

UNBREAKcable 3.5mm AUX Cable, 6.6ft/2m - [Flexible Nylon Braided] Audio Cable Auxiliary Cable, Copper Shell, compatible with Car/Home Stereos, Apple iPhone iPad, Mp3, Mp4, Computer & More - Black : Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Shop for UNBREAKcable PC products at the Amazon.co.uk Electronics & Photo store.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[shamba504424]

Thats not really what I meant by an audio interface to be fair

 

[mizmar]

Thats not really what I meant by an audio interface to be fair

No. It's Ronaldo's second best option.

 

[Veggie Dave]

Another official Yamaha Europe video:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKggMPAU5Wc

According to this, when connected via USB this version of the 150 is a MIDI trigger only.

This would be rather easier if one of us could get our hands on a150 and a Windows Reaper...

 

[mizmar]

Another official Yamaha Europe video:

Yes. But.

... I cant seem to get them to record,I can record using other sounds from the FX menu but I don't have any sax sounds other than with whats supplied with Reaper e.g piano etc.

Shamba wants the sax sounds from the instrument itself. ie the output of the yds's sound engine.

 

[shamba504424]

Thanks Dave

 

[Veggie Dave]

Shamba wants the sax sounds from the instrument itself. ie the output of the yds's sound engine.

Exactly. It would appear that you can't/can no-longer do that. There are a few comments under the vid from people having the exact same issue - MIDI trigger is fine but no actual audio via USB.

 

[mizmar]

Can't go wrong with a nice bit of wire with 3.5mm jacks. What's not to like?

 

[Pete Thomas]

Possibly another dumb question but really technical,would an audio interface help me in any way in regard to using the YDS150?

Well it would help if you cannot get the digital output to work because you could connect the analogue out (minijack) which may well be better than using the computer analogue jack input (if it has one

meant to put not really technical

NB: you can edit posts (although there is a time limit on how long after posting you can go back and edit)

 

[shamba504424]

thanks to all who replied,really helpful bunch🙂

 

[6441]

This would be rather easier if one of us could get our hands on a150 and a Windows Reaper...

Agreed. That bit about MIDI trigger is not true, unless it's specific to Reaper.

 

[6441]

Here's an additional bit of information that may be useful to others.

It's 64 bit, so the version of Windows may be important. If the version is old, it may not be compatible. Since my wife has Windows laptops, I plugged the YDS in and observed that the USB was recognized, but not as an audio input.

A Google search for "YDS-150 Windows audio" revealed this:

Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver V2.1.9 for Windows 11/10 (64-bit) - Yamaha USA

usa.yamaha.com

At this point, you're better trying the 1/8" audio output jack into the computer's audio input, if there is one.

 

[shamba504424]

Hi Randulo,thanks again for your help,loaded those drivers in,everything just the same really,just have a couple of usb ports,an hdmi port and a headphone jack on my laptop

 

[6441]

Hi Randulo,thanks again for your help,loaded those drivers in,everything just the same really,just have a couple of usb ports,an hdmi port and a headphone jack on my laptop

If you want to pursue this, one tactic would be to get Audacity (free) and once installed, connect the YDS, make sure it's turned on, and run Audaciity to see if the YDS is visible in the input devices. Or, look at the devices in Windows. I know Win 10 recognized the Digital Saxophone (it said as much when I plugged it in) but did not see it as an audio input. I did not install the driver, though.

 

[shamba504424]

SUCCESS,loaded the yamaha driver and got Audacity to recognise the digital sax,got to go out but will report later on how things going 🙂