| Frequently
asked questions about MIDI
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How
do I connect a MIDI keyboard to my computer?
Countless people
are intimidated by even thinking about trying to connect
their MIDI instrument to their computer.
Take
a few seconds to go through this checklist before you get
started, you'll need to make sure you have one or more of
the following on or in your computer:
 Parallel
printer Port (almost all computers have one by default)
A
free serial port
A
soundcard with a joystick port (such as a Creative
Labs SoundBlaster compatible with MPU-401 compatibility
or similar card, in a PC)
First
(assuming you've already got a computer) you'll need a MIDI
interface. (Please also read What
is a MIDI Interface, where can I get one, and how much do
they cost? For more detailed specs of different interfaces
to find out what best suits you and your setup) This is
a vital part to your MIDI setup, as it allows your MIDI
instrument to communicate with your computer. (Also, some
interfaces have really cool flashing lights, and they look
neat when you use them in the dark).
Second,
you'll need at least 2 MIDI cables. These cables have 5-PIN
male DIN connectors, and they can be picked up at any music
equipment shop, or even bought online for less than $5.00
a piece.
Third,
you'll need some sequencing software (check out: What
are the different sequencers, and what is the difference
between them? To help you chose the right sequencer
for what your requirements are).The prices of these software
packages range from free to up to $1000 or more; the more
expensive packages usually offering more advanced features
for professional use.
You'll
notice that your midi interface has three spots for connectors
on it. Also, if you've got access to a MIDI keyboard, take
a look at the backside of it. You'll notice that it has
the same funny looking 5 pin midi connector spots as your
interface does. They will usually be labeled as being MIDI
THRU, MIDI IN, and MIDI OUT.
What
does each connector spot (port) do? Lets start with MIDI
IN and MIDI OUT. MIDI IN receives MIDI information, and
MIDI OUT sends out information. Think of it as an office
mail system. Information that has to go OUT of your office,
gets put in the OUT pile for processing by a secretary or
assistant. Information being delivered to you (like your
evil VISA bill or employee company expense report), will
be placed into your IN pile. The same process applies to
your MIDI instrument and MIDI interface. The input port
on both the interface and the instrument act as receiving
bins. Before your MIDI instrument can process the information
sent to it by the computer, it has to have this information
sent in through its IN port. When you want to communicate
your performance to your computer from your instrument,
the computer must receive the information into its IN port
(the MIDI IN port on your interface). The output ports work
in the same way. Your instrument's MIDI OUT port sends OUT
information to the interface (your interface receives the
data through it's MIDI IN port). The interface's MIDI OUT
port sends out information to your instrument (your instrument
receives the data through the MIDI IN port). The MIDI THRU
port is used for daisy chaining, or linking other midi devices
on to one another. To do this, run a cable from the MIDI
THRU of your interface to the MIDI IN on your 2nd MIDI instrument.
Note that when you play something on your primary MIDI instrument,
the secondary MIDI instrument will mimic or echo it. In
a nutshell, anything that is sent into the MIDI IN of a
midi device is passed out through its MIDI THRU port.
Now,
here's some step by step instructions on how you should
connect your keyboard to your interface, and your interface
to your computer:
Step
1: Configuring the MIDI interface
Follow
the instructions by the manufacturer of your MIDI interface
to hook your MIDI interface up to your computer. Since all
midi interfaces are somewhat different, and some of them
require you to install certain drivers etc, it's impossible
to explain how to do that here, for every possible midi
interface. If you bought a parallell port interface, hook
it up to your paralell port, if you bought a serial port
interface, hook it up to the serial port, if you bought
an interface that connects to the joystick port of your
soundcard, hook that up accordingly. Make sure you follow
the instructions and install any drivers that the manufacturer
wants you to install. If you're installing a MIDI interface
that hooks into your PC soundcards' joystick port (in Windows),
consult your Windows help guide by clicking on your start
menu, then click on the 'help icon' on how to set up a new
MIDI device.
Step
2: Connecting things
Now
its time to connect your MIDI instrument to your MIDI interface.
Plug one of your MIDI cables into the MIDI OUT on your interface,
and stick the other end of the cable into the MIDI IN on
your MIDI instrument. Now, plug your 2nd cable into the
MIDI IN of your interface, and plug the end of that cable
into the MIDI OUT of your MIDI instrument. So, to recap;
the MIDI IN on your interface goes to MIDI OUT on your keyboard.
The MIDI OUT on your keyboard goes to the MIDI IN on your
interface. If you've got LED indicator lights on your interface,
play something on your keyboard - your MIDI input lights
should flash. (If your interface has a power switch, don't
forget to turn that on).
Step
3:
Configuring
the sequencer
Moving
along, now we can get everything up and running with our
sequencer. Getting your ports set up in the sequencer can
be tricky, especially if you've never done it before, and
if you're new to sequencing with MIDI. Carefully read the
documentation of your MIDI sequencer, and pay attention
to anything regarding the selection of MIDI ports. Since
most beginners will (and should) be using something easy
like Cakewalk
or similar, here's how you do it in that sequencer, as an
example:
On
the top menu bar, click on tools, and then click on MIDI
Devices. That'll bring up a window called "MIDI Ports".
Now, you should see two columns, one that says MIDI INPUT,
or Input Ports, and one that says MIDI OUTPUT, or Output
Ports. Let's say you have a MIDI interface hooked in to
your SoundBlaster's joystick port. You should highlight
something similar to 'SB16 MIDI IN [330]' in the Input Ports
Column. If you have a multi port MIDI interface, select
all the ports that you want to have active. In your Output
Ports column, make sure your 'SB16 MIDI OUT' port (or the
port you want to use as your primary port; it's a good idea
to select your primary port as your sound module/keyboard
etc that you use most often, since it saves time if you're
setting up new sequencers or simply loading in midi files
to play back) is selected. Click on the button "Move selected
devices to top", so your primary device is moved all the
way to the top of the list.
What's
the point of this? The device that's listed at the top of
the list will be your default device, so every time you
load up a MIDI file, or create a new sequence, this device
will be automatically set to playback your MIDI. The device(s)
listed below the primary device will be listed in that order
when you go to select them in the sequence view.
Now
that you've got your ports selected, hit OK. You'll be back
looking at the sequence view again. Create a new track by
double clicking on one of the numbered rows. Your primary
port should now be selected (if not, double click on it
and change it, but note that this is JUST to designate the
output port).
Now
you should be ready to record - do a test recording by pressing
"R" on your computer keyboard. Play a few notes on your
instrument, and when you're done, click on the 'stop' icon,
or press your spacebar to stop recording. You can now playback
what you've just sequenced, by clicking on the play icon
(forward arrow) or hitting the spacebar.
Congratulations!
You've just made your first sequence! Now get crackin' on
becoming a rock star.
.back
to midi faq.
 What
is MIDI?
How
do I make a MIDIFILE?
How
do I connect a MIDI keyboard to my computer?
What
is a MIDI Interface, where can I get one, and how much do
they cost?
What
is a sequencer, and why should I use one?
What
are the different sequencers, and what are the differences
between them?
Should
I be using a Macintosh computer or a PC to sequence music?
Are
there any software packages available for printing out notation
of my music or midifiles?
Can
I convert a MIDIFILE to a WAV file?
Can
I convert a WAV file to a MIDIFILE?
Help!
I'm hearing 'double notes' when I play something on my keyboard
into the sequencer!
What
does 'multitimbral' mean?
What
is 'polyphony'?
What
is the difference between a sampler and a synth?
How
do I make a midifile play on my website?
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