That is the main achilles heel of the new YPGs. They have USB MIDI ports, but no standard MIDI IN/OUT. In order to use the 625/525/225 as a controller you will have to attach it to a computer with two USB ports and a MIDI patchbay program. Then you will have to attach a MIDI to USB converter to the synth you want to control.

All the MIDI/USB converters on the market go in one direction -- from standard MIDI to USB on a computer. Maybe someday they will come out with a USB to MIDI converter that doesn't require a computer in the loop, but right now, it doesn't exist.

I sent an email to Yamaha customer support asking about this. Here is their reply, in part:

"`Serious synth guys' probably need MIDI connections, but the YPG625 is not the right choice for a serious synth guy for many reasons. Regarding why the engineers designed it without MIDI jacks, I'm afraid we will have to live without the answer to that question. I am not privvy to the whys of their decisions, nor will an answer be forthcoming if I should ask.

Regards,

[His Name]

Yamaha Customer Support"

Rick