--- title: "Yamaha TF: audio into DMXDesktop" description: "Send a stereo music feed from a Yamaha TF mixer to DMXDesktop for Live Wire and beat detection, with a music-only setup." canonical: https://www.dmxdesktop.com/knowledgebase/yamaha-tf-audio lang: en source: /knowledgebase/yamaha-tf-audio --- # Yamaha TF Series: audio into DMXDesktop TF consoles present 34 channels to the computer over `USB TO HOST`. Most of that layout is fixed, but two parts can be chosen: what goes out on USB 1 and 2 (firmware V4.50 or newer), and what goes out on USB 33 and 34. Those two choices are the key to a music-only feed. This article is part of [Connecting a Sound Mixer to DMXDesktop](/knowledgebase/connecting-a-sound-mixer), which covers the shared rules and the problems common to every console. ## [Models covered](#models-covered) - TF1 - TF3 - TF5 - TF-Rack ## [How the TF USB channels are laid out](#how-the-tf-usb-channels-are-laid-out) This is the thing to understand before you start, because it decides everything else. - **USB 1 to 32** are the direct outputs of input channels 1 to 32. - **USB 1 and 2** can instead carry `ST L/R`, an AUX or a MATRIX output, on firmware **V4.50 or newer**. The choice is **USB 1/2 Output**, under **Setup → Preferences → Others**. - **USB 33 and 34** carry whatever the built-in recorder is set to record: `ST L/R`, a pair of AUX buses, or on V3.5 and newer a MATRIX pair. You choose it in the recorder's **INPUT/OUTPUT** screen, from the **RECORD** source menu. **The direct outs never follow the fader.** Each channel's direct out can be taken from Pre DG, Pre HPF, Pre Fader or Post ON, and Yamaha describes all of them as before the fader. A feed taken from USB 1 to 32 ignores the channel faders. The ST L/R, AUX and MATRIX choices for USB 1 and 2 are taken after the fader. Check your firmware version before you start. On firmware older than V4.50, USB 1 and 2 are always the channel 1 and 2 direct outs. ## [What you need](#what-you-need) - A USB Type-B cable to the rear `USB TO HOST` port. - On Windows, the Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver. Its ASIO driver is needed for any channel above 2. - On macOS, nothing. The TF is class compliant. **Not the storage port.** `USB TO HOST` is the Type-B socket that talks to a computer. The Type-A socket is for the USB recorder and memory sticks, and carries no audio to a computer. ## [Connect the console](#connect-the-console) ### Windows 1. Install the Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver. 2. Connect the cable and power the TF on. 3. In DMXDesktop, open **Settings → Audio** and pick the Yamaha Steinberg device from the ASIO group. ### macOS 1. Connect and power on the TF. 2. Confirm it appears in `Audio MIDI Setup`. 3. Select it in **Settings → Audio**. ## [Fastest setup: the stereo mix](#fastest-setup-the-stereo-mix) ### Firmware V4.50 or newer: on USB 1 and 2 1. Open **Setup → Preferences → Others**. 2. Set **USB 1/2 Output** to `ST L/R`. 3. In DMXDesktop, select channels **1** and **2**. This works on macOS and on Windows with or without ASIO. It replaces the channel 1 and 2 direct outs on USB, so anyone recording those inputs will lose them. ### Any firmware: on USB 33 and 34 1. Open the recorder screen, then its **INPUT/OUTPUT** tab. 2. Check the **RECORD** source is `ST L/R`. 3. In DMXDesktop, select channels **33** and **34**. **Channels 33 and 34 need the ASIO driver on Windows.** On the ordinary Windows device DMXDesktop captures only the first two channels the device offers. If you cannot use ASIO, use the V4.50 setting above. Both are the whole main mix, microphones included. If the desk handles speech, use a music-only AUX pair instead. ## [Recommended setup: a music-only AUX pair](#recommended-setup-a-music-only-aux-pair) 1. Pick two AUX buses you are not using for monitors, for example AUX 7 and AUX 8, and name them `DMXDesktop`. 2. Turn both AUX masters on and set them to 0 dB. 3. Send the music to them at 0 dB. For a stereo source on two input channels, send the left channel to AUX 7 and the right channel to AUX 8. Send a mono music channel to both at the same level. 4. Leave the sends fully down on every speech microphone and talkback channel. 5. Choose pre-fader or post-fader sends. Post-fader follows each channel's fader. 6. On firmware V4.50 or newer, set **USB 1/2 Output** to that AUX pair, and select channels **1** and **2** in DMXDesktop. The pairs offered depend on your model and firmware. 7. On older firmware, set the recorder's **RECORD** source to that AUX pair instead, and select channels **33** and **34**. On Windows that needs ASIO. ### Alternative: the music channels' direct outs If the music arrives on its own pair of inputs, for example 9 and 10, then USB 9 and 10 already carry it with nothing else mixed in. Select channels **9** and **10** in DMXDesktop, with ASIO on Windows. These direct outs are before the fader, so the lighting will not follow the channel faders. Music channels players, DJ, live band Speech mics and talkback not sent to DMXDesktop ↓→ AUX 7 / 8 music channels only ↓→ USB out 1 / 2 USB 1/2 Output, V4.50 or newer USB↓→ DMXDesktop channels 1 and 2 ## [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting) ### DMXDesktop offers no channel choice on Windows You are on the ordinary Windows device, not the Yamaha Steinberg ASIO driver. Channels 33 and 34 and the direct outs are unreachable that way. On V4.50 or newer, use USB 1/2 Output instead. ### There is no USB 1/2 Output setting Your firmware is older than V4.50. Update it, or use USB 33 and 34. ### USB 33 and 34 are silent Check the recorder's RECORD source, and check the bus it names is on and receiving signal. ### The level ignores the channel fader You are on a direct out, which is always before the fader on TF. Use an AUX pair or ST L/R instead. ### Nothing works after changing drivers Restart DMXDesktop. Also confirm no DAW is holding the ASIO driver, since it is single-client. `USB IN 33-34` on the console means audio arriving *from* the computer. It is not what DMXDesktop captures, and changing it will not help. ## [Still not working](#still-not-working) Work through the shared checks in [Connecting a Sound Mixer to DMXDesktop](/knowledgebase/connecting-a-sound-mixer), which covers the faults that are not specific to one console. If you need to contact support, have these five things ready, because they resolve most cases immediately: 1. The exact mixer model. 2. Your Windows or macOS version. 3. How the mixer is connected, and which USB port you used. 4. Which device you picked in **Settings → Audio**. 5. Which left and right channel numbers you selected. For a console with a multichannel USB interface, a screenshot of the mixer's USB output patch is worth more than any log file.