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 parallel port interface, hook it up to your parallel 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.