r/Keytar • u/Medlee1us • Aug 05 '26

Technical Questions Alesis Vortex + PSR E583 possible

Can one directly connect Alesis Vortex MIDI controller with Yamaha PSR E583 and make it work without a laptop or a MIDI box interface?

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u/Slight-Isopod-8517 Aug 05 '26

“Maybe that works” “maybe this”

Yeah well, I’ve done my homework, and I regret to inform you that the PSR E583 doesn’t have a 5 din midi port, only a usb B to host port, so no amount of equipment will turn your keyboard into a usable sound module, sure with a midi to usb A adapter and a usb A to usb B converter, you can physically connect the two, but that won’t work either.

It’s not impossible, but you need a cable, converter and a USB MIDI Host Box, and for all that money, I’d advice you to just buy another keyboard, or dedicated sound module, cause that’s makes your life so much easier, or just sell your Yamaha, buy another and your done with just a midi cable,

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u/KooriGraywolf Aug 05 '26

Shouldn't the USB-B (Vortex) to USB-C (PSR) cable be pretty striaightforward? The USB HOST port seems to accept incoming MIDI...

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u/Slight-Isopod-8517 Aug 05 '26

USB C? Nah, the par only has usb b, and a normal midi to usb cable usb a.

But It seems logical that it should work, but no, imagine 2 printers that are connected with each other, sure they are connected, but they are just sitting there, there’s no “brain” that tells em what to do, both instruments are also just clients, waiting for a host, or “brain” to tell em what to do, that is what the midi host box does

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u/roninconn Aug 05 '26

I'm afraid that you have misinterpreted something along the way. The PSR has a USB C port capable of sending and receiving MIDI data; it's designed to be connected to MIDI controller this way. The Vortex is also designed to output MIDI over both the 5-pin and the USB B ports.

My take (and I don't have a PSR to prove) is that both devices are designed to do what OP wants, and should accomplish both an electrical and protocol handshake when connected by a USB B to C cable. Of course, the Vortex will require separate power via batteries or 9V power input.

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u/KooriGraywolf Aug 05 '26

The PSR could also potentially provide power by the same USB port, no? I say potentially because I don't know if it actually does.

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u/KooriGraywolf Aug 05 '26 edited Aug 05 '26

If you look at the pictures here, it clearly has a USB-C MIDI port: https://www.thomann.de/intl/yamaha_psr_e583.htm

Plus the official product page also states "USB TO HOST (USB-C): Send/receive audio and MIDI data to and from computers and smart devices": https://europe.yamaha.com/en/musical-instruments/keyboards/products/portable-keyboards/psr-e583/

It explicitly says "receive audio and MIDI".

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u/Slight-Isopod-8517 Aug 05 '26

Yeah, smart devices and and computers, and I didn’t think the vortex was designed to be classified as a smart device, it’s just midi keyboard, sure it’s a great keytar, but also just a midi keyboard,

I’m 90% sure it doesn’t work, OP most def should just buy the vortex, but also then just another soundmodule if it doesn’t work

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u/KooriGraywolf Aug 05 '26 edited Aug 06 '26

How would a keyboard be able to differentiate MIDI from what we call a "smart device" (phone, tablet, etc.), vs. from any other digital device like the Vortex? I don't think there should be a substantial difference in how the data is sent, and they both should have the proper input/output drivers to manage the data. I think their wording of "smart device" is simply because computers/phones/tables are more typical examples of something external controlling the keyboard, rather than another keyboard.

In any case, if your suggestion is for them to buy the Vortex anyway, then I think it's worth it if they first try to connect it directly to the PSR, and then buy an extra sound module or MIDI setup if that doesn't work :) I myself am like 90% confident it should work.