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    MIDI Connection | How to Connect a MIDI Keyboard to a Computer

    Everything you need to know about how to connect a MIDI keyboard or digital piano to a computer so you can control music production software. Includes step-by-step Video Tutorial.

    November 17, 2020
    MIDI Connection Pinterest Image

    Your complete quick guide to connecting your keyboard to: PC or Mac; Laptop or Desktop; Tablet or Smartphone.

    If you are just starting out with your home recording studio set-up, the first thing you may wish to do is find out how to connect a MIDI keyboard or digital piano up to your computer, tablet or phone. This will enable you to use any interactive MIDI software and apps: quickly record virtual instrument tracks; write your own songs and music; learn to play and more.

    Why Connect Your Keyboard?

    The MIDI Keyboard or Digital Piano is often the heart of a small home recording studio, and the easiest and fastest way to enter bass lines, edit drum tracks, and of course record keyboard tracks. The other benefit of making a MIDI connection is if you want to learn to play keyboard or piano. Once you have a MIDI connection you can benefit from interactive piano lesson software and online piano courses. It is also a great way to benefit from interactive music theory software and apps.

    MIDI Connection – Step By Step Video Tutorial

    There are THREE main ways that you will be able to connect your digital piano or keyboard up. It will depend on your keyboard. You can connect your keyboard if it has any of: traditional MIDI ports; a USB (sometimes labelled as USB host); or maybe even bluetooth. Here is a quick video which covers all the aspects of how to connect your MIDI keyboard to your iPad, Mac or PC, whether it has MIDI ports, USB or Bluetooth. Scroll down below if you want more detail, and links to the products mentioned.

    Do You Have Traditional MIDI Ports?

    Check the outputs on your keyboard. Does it have MIDI ports? MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is the protocol for communication between your keyboard and your computer. When you press a key the action is registered by the software you are using through the MIDI link.

    Most traditional keyboards and Digital Pianos have MIDI in and out as standard. Look for ports like the one in the image below. It is possible your keyboard is only a controller, and may only have MIDI out. That’s OK. The principal of MIDI connection is still the same.

    MIDI Ports

    [This content may contain affiliate links. For more information, read our disclosure policy here.]

    Connect Keyboard/Piano with MIDI Ports to any Mac or PC – Option 1: USB-MIDI interface

    Typical USB-MIDI Keyboard Set-Up
    Typical USB-MIDI Keyboard Set-Up – Perfect for Mac or PC, Laptop or Desktop, you just need an available USB port (or a dock with USB if you have a newer Mac)

    So if you have a keyboard with MIDI ports, then the simplest and cheapest solution is a USB-MIDI interface. The following are all highly recommended USB-MIDI interfaces which will do the job easily and cost-effectively.

    Bestseller No. 1
    MIDI 4x4 USB MIDI interface
    MIDI 4x4 USB MIDI interface
    • 4-IN,4-OUT MIDI interface(64 MIDI channels) low latency High-speed USB connection to PC or Mac MIDI in and MIDI out activity indicators for each port USB...
    • No driver needed Compact size MIDI IN: MIDI input 1-4 jack MIDI OUT: MIDI output 1-4 jack USB B Type: connection between the MIDI 4x4 and the host computer
    • ATTACHMENT: USB cable
    Buy on Amazon
    SaleBestseller No. 2
    M-Audio AIR 192|6 - 2-In 2-Out USB Audio / MIDI Interface with Recording Software from Pro-Tools &...
    M-Audio AIR 192|6 - 2-In 2-Out USB Audio / MIDI Interface with Recording Software from Pro-Tools &...
    • Capture every detail - premium component selection and 24-bit/192kHz resolution for professional recording and monitoring to your Mac/ PC;
    • Low latency - Hi-Speed USB/ USB-C circuitry gives you the fastest connection, with a class-leading round trip latency of only 2. 59Ms*; USB and USB-C connection...
    • Pristine studio grade capture - transparent crystal preamps and ultra-pristine ad converters for unsurpassed audio recording quality
    $169.00 −$20.00
    Buy on Amazon
    SaleBestseller No. 3
    MIDI 2x2 USB MIDI interface
    MIDI 2x2 USB MIDI interface
    • Inputs: 2 MIDI inputs (32 MIDI channels) Outputs: 2 MIDI outputs (32 MIDI channels) Power supply: USB Powered, no external power required
    • Power supply: USB Powered, no external power required Operating Systems: Mac OSX, Windows XP and above (no driver needed)
    • ATTACHMENT: USB cable
    $30.00 −$1.96
    Buy on Amazon
    Bestseller No. 4
    MOTU MIDI Express XT USB Interface
    MOTU MIDI Express XT USB Interface
    • USB MIDI interface for Mac and Windows Stand-alone MIDI patchbay/merger/processor SMPTE time code sync in all formats (includes new support for 23.976 fps time...
    • The Express XT provides 8 MIDI IN, 9 MIDI OUT, 128 MIDI channels and compatibility with all Mac and Windows software
    • Sixteen convenient, one-touch presets (8 factory and 8 user programmable) give you instant front-panel access to multiple operational configurations
    Buy on Amazon
    SaleBestseller No. 5
    Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First
    Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First
    • One of the best performing mic preamps the Scarlett range has ever seen, now with switchable air Mode to give your recordings a brighter and more open sound....
    • High-performance converters enable you to record and mix at up to 24-bit/ 192kHz.
    • Quick start tool to get up and running easier than ever.
    $139.99 −$30.00
    Buy on Amazon

    Last updated on 2021-01-10 / Affiliate links / Images via Amazon Product Advertising API

    We advise that you always stick with a well-known brand which is why we recommend any of the above. They all have good manufacturer support, up-to-date drivers and good guarantees in the event of any problems. If you want even more choice, then you can read our guide to the best USB MIDI interfaces.

    Option 2: Audio Interface + MIDI Leads

    Rather than just sticking with solving the MIDI connection, if you want to make high quality audio recordings too, then you could purchase an Audio Interface with MIDI i/o and a pair of MIDI leads. Here are two really reasonably priced, and high quality options:

    Presonus iTwo USB Audio Interface
    Presonus iTwo USB Audio Interface

    The iTwo AudioBox Interface is a brilliant choice for MIDI Musicians. Not only does it have two line inputs on the front so you can record the sound of your keyboard – or connect a couple of microphones or guitars – it also has MIDI in and out on the back. It comes with recording software, an app which can be used on iPad, and is multi-platform (PC/Mac/iPad) out of the box.

    Scarlett 4i4 – USB Audio Interface with MIDI

    The Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 Audio Interface is the one I currently own. Brilliant because it has 4 line inputs available – so plenty of scope to record the sound of your keyboard or other line level instruments, 2 built-in pre-amps for microphones, and MIDI ports on the back too. You can see and hear it in action in all my latest home recording studio videos.

    Does Your Keyboard Already Have a USB Port?

    If you have digital piano or keyboard have a USB output? It is sometimes labelled USB-Host or similar. If so, then you should be able to connect very easily to your Mac or PC with a standard USB Printer cable. Simply refer to the manual for your particular keyboard to find out how to set it up. Easy.
    Got an iPad? Then you should be able to connect with a standard USB cable and a lightning to USB adapter (as mentioned above).
    OR, to connect to iPad you could buy the Voker Midi Cable to Lightning Connector. This is an interface especially designed to connect from the USB output of a digital piano to ipad, via lightning.

    Bluetooth MIDI | A Brilliant Multi-Platform Solution

    Some manufacturers are now including Bluetooth audio/MIDI support for connecting your keyboard with your smartphone or tablet. For example, the Roland Go:Piano and Roland Go:Keys both have bluetooth – use them with any compatible apps on your iPad or smartphone.

    No MIDI Keyboard Yet?

    Although you can get other kinds of MIDI controller, the keyboard is the most popular, widely available, and reasonably priced. If you have not yet got any kind of keyboard, then look first at Getting started – choosing the right keyboard. It will help you decide the best MIDI keyboard for you. You will find almost all modern keyboards and pianos feature USB MIDI connections.

    Want To Record MIDI and Audio?

    If you not only want to use your keyboard or digital piano as a MIDI controller, but also want to record the sound of it, then do look read our post on how to record your keyboard. Or refer to our complete step-by-step guide on how to record audio and MIDI tracks simultaneously.

    There are lots of recommendations in there for kit that will let you do BOTH. And put your keyboard right at the heart of your home recording studio. Or … see the Focusrite 2i4 and the Audiobox iTwo USB Audio/MIDI interfaces mentioned above.

    Your MIDI FAQs

    Why do MIDI IN jacks connect to MIDI OUT jacks? Surely it makes more sense to connect a MIDI IN jack to a MIDI IN jack. After all, they’re both labeled IN. Same goes for MIDI OUT to MIDI OUT”

    The accepted way actually makes a lot of sense. Think about it. You want MIDI data to go out of your controller and in to your sound module. After all, you wouldn’t connect the audio out jack of your sound module to the outputs of your mixer, would you? No, you connect the audio output to an audio (mixer) input. And then you connect the mixer outputs to the inputs of your amplifier. And then you connect the amp’s speaker outputs to the speaker inputs. Same thing with MIDI. Think of MIDI data as “flowing” in the same way that audio signals “flow” through your audio system.

    Still Confused? Or Want To Record Audio Tracks From Your Keyboard?

    This is just a quick guide if you simply want to hook up your keyboard to start using MIDI software. If you want a more in-depth set of tutorials, or you want to record the sound of your keyboard then you can either refer to our quick guide on how to record your piano, or see our full length free video course which explains the difference between MIDI and Audio in detail and shows you step-by-step exactly what you need to either record your keyboard or use it as a MIDI controller.

    Related Links

    • Record Your Keyboard or Piano On Your Computer Step-By-Step
    • Best Selling MIDI Interfaces – The Ultimate Top 10 in 2020
    • What is MIDI? Our Ultimate Guide To Music Software’s Most Powerful Tool
    • How To Record Audio and MIDI At The Same Time In Recording Software
    • How To Record Keyboard and Vocals at the Same Time

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    Category: Create, Keyboard and Piano, MIDI, Record, Tutorials, Video TutorialsTag: Keyboard, Midi Controller, Midi Interface, Midi Keyboard, Midi Port, Music Software

    [This content may contain affiliate links. For more information, read our disclosure policy here.]

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