Sometimes it can be really hard to be sure if your MIDI keyboard controller or other your USB-MIDI interface is working correctly, particularly if you are using it with complicated software. My suggestion is to separate the two things! Test that the hardware is working OK first. Use your computer’s control panel then test the device with a MIDI diagnostic tool.
Once you can see the MIDI device is working you know that you need to work on the software configuration. Tip: Make sure you install, connect and turn on your MIDI controller first, then start up the software you want to use. Some software just won’t find devices if you turn them on after starting up the software. The video below will take you through some testing basics, then read on for links and more information. If you want a bit more info, then you might find our basic guide on what is MIDI helpful.
Which Diagnostic Tool?
If you are using Windows, then download MIDI-Ox, it’s a fantastic piece of software that shows the stream of MIDI data on your screen so you can check every key, fader, pad and wheel on your MIDI keyboard and be sure they are all working OK. Download it here:
Then if you want a step-by-step guide on how to use it, this page on the M-Audio support portal is great, with easy to follow screen shots. Although it is referring to an M-Audio device you can use this software with any MIDI keyboard or interface.
If you are on a Mac then the SNOIZE MIDI Monitor software does a similar job and they have nice documentation on their site on how to use it.
What If The MIDI Keyboard Isn’t Working?
If you still think the keyboard is not connecting correctly, then there is a useful post here on the Numark site which will help you to troubleshoot your plug and play device. Especially in Windows the native drivers can be missing or corrupted and may need to be re-installed.
If your device is not plug and play then you will need to go to the manufacturer’s site and download the correct drivers. NEVER do a ‘google search’ for drivers – there are lots of dodgy sites out there which will try to tempt you to download all kinds of things from them. Instead, go to the official site of the manufacturer of your particular device and navigate to their support/download page directly. The best manufacturers (Alesis, M-Audio, Numark, Roland, Korg, Samson etc) have telephone support as well, so take advantage of it. But do work through the above steps first!
[The following content contains affiliate links. For more information, read our disclosure policy here.]
4 Top MIDI Controllers
We have tried all the following controllers, they work really well and if you have any problems then the manufacturer’s give fantastic support. As an added bonus, they all work on PC, Mac and iPad!
Samson Graphite 49 USB MIDI Controller A USB MIDI Controller that gives you all the performance and production control you need to get the most out of your music software. Combining an intuitive semi-weighted keyboard with a feature set that is both useful and accessible.
CME Xkey 25-Key Portable Musical Keyboard USB MIDI compliant with iPad, Android, tablet / phone, Microsoft Surface Pro, Mac and PC, perfect for mobile music creation, studio recording, and live performance
Novation Launchkey 25-Key Mini USB MIDI Controller Keyboard for iPad, Mac and PC A compact mini-key instrument/controller, Launchkey Mini features 16 velocity-sensitive, three-color illuminated launch pads, which can be used to launch loops, sounds, effects, transport controls, and more.
Korg microKEY 37-Key USB Powered Keyboard a thin, lightweight, and USB-powered keyboard with 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys, comfortable and easy-to-play Natural Touch keyboard
4 Great USB-MIDI Interfaces
Already got a nice keyboard, but no MIDI connection? Then you could get one of the following MIDI interfaces and soon be hooked up to your favourite MIDI software
Roland UM-ONE MK2 USB MIDI Interface High-performance FPT processing, very compact, affordable, and easy to use. Compatible with PC, Mac and iPad.
iConnectivity mio 1-in 1-out USB to MIDI Interface Plug and play – no drivers or difficult installation needed, ultra low latency MIDI Input and Output
Creative EMU XMIDI 1X1 USB MIDI Interface Active-Sensing messages filtered, MME, DirectMusic and CoreMIDI supported
M-Audio USB Midisport Uno MIDI Interface Perfect for connecting a keyboard or controller to your computer with upward mobility – add as many USB Midisport interfaces to your computer as you have USB ports
Peter May says
I am assuming that MIDI-OX will also monitor a drum kit, correct? I have an Alesis DM7X. Windows and Cakewalk can see the device, but it appears not to be sending MIDI. MIDI-OX installed and ran without problem on my Windows 8.1 machine, so I don’t think there is a problem there. I set up the Alesis as input and the Windows synth as output. MIDI-OX showed no activity. Am I doing this right? assuming yes, I’m guessing my next step is to get with Alesis to see what I have to do to get MIDI output. Just want to be sure I haven’t missed anything.
Thanks.
Jane Sherratt says
Yes, you should be able to see a MIDI drum kit in MIDI-OX. Alesis really have an excellent support department so I suggest you contact them for help with setup. Their contact details are all on their official website.
Sara says
Thanks very much, turning keyboard first then software did the trick. So simple!
yeshwanth says
how to connect a casio MA 150 to computer that is having only 1output plug
Jane Sherratt says
Hi, so this keyboard has a MIDI out port (according to spec on Casio web site) so you can use a USB-MIDI interface to connect it to computer. You don’t have to connect both the MIDI connectors on the interface, just the correct one for the MIDI output and then you will be able to use it as a controller. You just won’t be able to play the keyboard back from the computer. Hope that helps.
2Y2B50 says
I went to download the program but I am running Windows 8.1 x64 do you have a program you recommend for this operating system for when I went to install it said it could not be installed for this operating system.
Jane Sherratt says
Hi, I believe you can run this utility program fine in Windows 7 compatibility mode, I have come across other people doing the same thing. There is some info here about running programs in compatibility mode that might help
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/older-programs-compatible-version-windows
2Y2B50 says
Dear Jane, I did exactly what you did, read the article on compatibility,
1) I went to file and right clicked it.
2) I selected Properties
3) I clicked on the compatibility tab
4) Windows Said Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows Vista
When the screen comes up to Test The Program and I click the button nothing happens. I see a little circle go around for a second or so where my cursor was and then nothing. The program does not execute, nothing happens at all.
Do I have to have midi devices like My NI Audio 6 attached just to install the program. I would think not. I tried other modes like XP and got the same result, nothing but a spinning wheel for a second.
I was truly hopeful and now I do not know what to do. Windows says if it was not compatible there would be no compatibility tab so I am not sure what to do next.
Jane Sherratt says
Sorry to hear this. I have had a quick look and cannot seem to find anything else that is like MIDI OX. Lot of people do seem to have got it working on 8.1 though. I will continue to look and see if there is something else more recent that would do a similar job. The reason I recommended it in the past is it really is just a diagnostic tool you don’t have to worry about any other settings. You do not have to have MIDI devices attached to install it. I recommend you have the MIDI device installed before you start up the program though as the first thing it does on start up is poll for devices.
dennis morris says
omg , thanks for the effort but this program is harder to understand than ableton live,,i got this program to help distinguish whats at fault with my midi keyboard,,same problem,,device is seen but not controlled via midi device,,had it working in ableton once but i crashed pc and it said it will no longer look for midi unless i do something like reauthor access or something, have no clue,
Jane Sherratt says
Hi, are you using a plug and play device? You may need to re-install the windows drivers, it is possible they have become corrupt.
Jane Sherratt says
Hi Dennis, just added a new video to this page which hopefully shows how I use MIDI-Ox and might make things a bit clearer