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How to Load MIDI Files on the Yamaha Disklavier & Clavinova: A Guide to Playing Your New Music
Congratulations! You’ve just purchased some incredible music from the Richard Kahn collection. You are only a few minutes away from experiencing a private performance right in your living room.
Because these are PianoSoft Solo files (standard MIDI), they are universally compatible with Yamaha Disklavier (Enspire, E3, Mark IV) and Yamaha Clavinova (CVP, CLP, and CSP series) instruments.
Here is a step-by-step guide to taking your music from your computer to your piano keys.
Part 1: The Setup (Universal)
These steps apply to ALL instruments.
1. What You Will Need
- Your Computer (PC or Mac)
- A USB Flash Drive (Ideally 2GB to 32GB. Format as FAT32).
- Your Downloaded Files
2. Download and Unzip (Crucial Step!) When you purchase an album, the files arrive in a compressed .ZIP folder.
- Action: You must Unzip (Extract) the folder on your computer.
- Windows: Right-click > “Extract All.”
- Mac: Double-click the folder.
- Note: Your piano cannot read the .ZIP file; it needs the folder containing the
.MIDfiles inside.
3. Transfer to USB
- Plug your USB drive into your computer.
- Drag and drop the unzipped album folder (e.g., “Richard Kahn – Cocktail Mix One”) onto the USB drive.
- Eject the drive safely.
Part 2: Playback (Choose Your Instrument)
Once your USB drive is loaded, scroll down to find the instructions for your specific piano model.
Option A: For Yamaha Disklavier Users
Connecting: Locate the USB port on your Control Unit (Switch Box).
- Enspire / E3: Usually found on the front of the unit mounted under the keys.
Playing (Enspire App):
- Open the Enspire Controller App on your device.
- Tap USB in the source menu.
- Tap your album folder to open it.
- Select a song to play, or tap “Play All.”
Playing (Remote Control / E3):
- Press the Select or Media button on the remote until “USB” is highlighted.
- Press Enter. Select your folder, choose a track, and press Play.
Option B: For Yamaha Clavinova Users (CLP & CVP)
Connecting: Locate the USB TO DEVICE port. This is often located on the front panel (near the headphone jack) or on the right-hand side of the keyboard console.
Playing (CVP & CLP Series):
- Insert the USB flash drive.
- Press the SONG SELECT button (or tap “Song” on the touchscreen models).
- Navigate to the USB tab (sometimes labeled as “USB 1”).
- You will see your album folder. Select it to see the list of songs.
- Highlight the song you want to hear and press PLAY.
Note for Smart Pianist App Users (CSP/CLP): If you use the Smart Pianist app with your Clavinova, insert the USB drive into the piano, open the app, go to “Song,” and select “User Songs” or “USB” to find your files.
Bonus: Listening on Your Computer (PC or Mac)
Want to preview a track or organize your playlist before heading to the piano? You can play these MIDI files directly on your computer, though the sound quality will depend on your computer’s speakers and software.
Please Note: When played on a computer, these files use a digital synthesizer (General MIDI). They will sound like a standard “computer piano” and will lack the rich, acoustic tone and dynamic nuance you will hear when played on your real Yamaha instrument.
Windows Users:
- Right-click the MIDI file.
- Select “Open with” and choose Windows Media Player (or your preferred media player).
Mac Users:
- Macs can be a bit trickier with MIDI files since the default QuickTime player no longer supports them on newer OS versions.
- We recommend opening the file with GarageBand (free on most Macs) or downloading a free versatile player like VLC Media Player.
- Simply drag the MIDI file into the application to listen.
Troubleshooting Tips
- “No Data” / Empty Folder: Did you remember to Unzip the file in Step 2? This is the #1 reason for playback failure.
- USB Formatting: If the piano doesn’t see the drive at all, ensure the USB stick is formatted to FAT32 (not exFAT or NTFS).
Enjoy the Performance
Sit back and enjoy the show. Whether you are on a grand Disklavier or a digital Clavinova, these files are optimized to utilize the full dynamic range of your Yamaha instrument.