Tech: MIDI Keyboard - What 2 Plug it In 2?

Subject: RE: Tech: MIDI Keyboard - What 2 Plug it In 2?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 09:06 AM

Ahhh, "yard sale" means The States - here's a better link:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Uno.html

Subject: RE: Tech: MIDI Keyboard - What 2 Plug it In 2?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 08:51 AM

If your keyboard has only one round 5-pin DIN socket, don't worry. Just try both the plugs on the Uno interface (marked In and Out) and use whichever one works. Can't remember offhand - think it's the "out" plug.

Subject: RE: Tech: MIDI Keyboard - What 2 Plug it In 2?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 08:45 AM

Keyboards are usually plug-&-play these days, but on my still-perfectly-good older ones I use a Midi-Sport Uno, which should work for you. It has a 5-pin DIN connection which plugs into your keyboard, and a USB which goes into your computer port.

They're made by M-Audio, and you should be able to get one from most music shops that deal in electronic equipment. More info here:

http://www.twenga.co.uk/prices-Midisport-USB-Uno-M-AUDIO-Sound-card-153693-0

Subject: RE: Tech: MIDI Keyboard - What 2 Plug it In 2?
From: s&r
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 05:53 AM

Would these help?
Converters

Stu

Subject: RE: Tech: MIDI Keyboard - What 2 Plug it In 2?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 01:27 AM

"In the olden days, the cable from my keyboard went to a soundcard. There was a peculiar arrangement which accepted the MIDI cable and also had a connector for a joystick."

The soundcards of the day had a MIDI interface (connected thru the 'joystick game' connector) which converted the GM commands into 'wave' output music sound, using a table of sampled data for each sound style, eg piano, sax, etc. You used to be able to acquire a 'convertor cable'.

I'm no expert as to whether modern sound cards have this - but with the proliferation of 'on board sound' that means motherboards no longer need plugin sound cards, and may have no 'game/joystick/ connector, I doubt it.

You would thus need a plug in card. You may need to disable the on board sound, or you may end up with 'device contention' - and get no sound at all.

Subject: RE: Tech: MIDI Keyboard - What 2 Plug it In 2?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 01:14 AM

Midi shows the 5 pin DIN plug, which at one time was also popular for stereo audio input and output connectors.

QUOTE
MIDI composition takes advantage of the MIDI interface to allow musical data files to be shared among various electronic instruments by using a standard list of commands and parameters known as General MIDI (GM). Because the music is simply data and not actually recorded wave forms, it is therefore maintained in a small file format. Several computer programs allow manipulation of the data so that composing for an entire orchestra of synthesized instrument sounds is possible. The data can be reproduced by any electronic instrument that adheres to the GM standard.
UNQUOTE

QUOTE
All MIDI compatible controllers, musical instruments, and MIDI-compatible software follow the same MIDI 1.0 specification, and thus interpret any given MIDI message the same way, and so can communicate with and understand each other. For example, if a note is played on a MIDI controller, it will sound at the right pitch on any MIDI instrument whose MIDI In connector is connected to the controller's MIDI Out connector.

When a musical performance is played on a MIDI instrument (or controller) it transmits MIDI channel messages from its MIDI Out connector. A typical MIDI channel message sequence corresponding to a key being struck and released on a keyboard is:

   1. The user presses the middle C key with a specific velocity (which is usually translated into the volume of the note but can also be used by the synthesiser to set characteristics of the timbre as well). ---> The instrument sends one Note-On message.
   2. The user changes the pressure applied on the key while holding it down - a technique called Aftertouch (can be repeated, optional). ---> The instrument sends one or more Aftertouch messages.
   3. The user releases the middle C key, again with the possibility of velocity of release controlling some parameters. ---> The instrument sends one Note-Off message.
UNQUOTE


"Later - I think it goes into one of little circles with a pink, green or yellow ring around it. So cute. But this is the up-to-date method."

Those connectors are intended for 'normal' (wave format, not digitally encoded) audio. MIDI is a digital format and must be transformed into 'normal' audio.

Subject: RE: Tech: MIDI Keyboard - What 2 Plug it In 2?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 12:26 AM

No!
Not Radio Shack. (The Source)
Go to a real music store and get proper service from the people who know.
Meanwhile, maybe follow that wee link I gave you and look at "Reviews" on each item.

Subject: RE: Tech: MIDI Keyboard - What 2 Plug it In 2?
From: GUEST,Uncle Jaque
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 11:33 PM

Oh my!!! We're getting SPAMMED right here on the Mudcat!

I've never seen that here before, but then I've been away for a while.

Speaking of which - I was a card carrying Mudcat member for quite some time and for some reason got busted down to "guest" and never figured out how to get back on the members list. But that was about two computers ago.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for the input on the MIDI thing - I'll have to check with our local Radio Shack and see what they might have to offer. I have an old tube amp but doubt that it will work with this keyboard. will check it out the next time I dig it out though.

---

Welcome back, Uncle Jaque! Just send me an e-mail and I'll get you fixed up right away. I tried to e-mail you, but the message came back because your e-mail box was full.
-Joe Offer
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Tech: MIDI Keyboard - What 2 Plug it In 2?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 10:13 PM

I have an aged MIDI keyboard, and the plug you describe (tube with five pins) goes into the back of the keyboard. The other end goes into something at the back of my computer, but I forget what.*

When I had my computer rebuilt recently, I had to tell the shop that I wanted a MIDI connection on the back. Apparently it is not standard equipment.

In the olden days, the cable from my keyboard went to a soundcard. There was a peculiar arrangement which accepted the MIDI cable and also had a connector for a joystick. Not that I ever needed a joystick.

If that's a really old computer, look for a lumpy black projection on the back which will accept the other end of the cable with the 5 pins.

Then watch out! Next thing, you will shove that 2-year-old out of the way and you will be working with music.
========
Later - I think it goes into one of little circles with a pink, green or yellow ring around it. So cute. But this is the up-to-date method.

Subject: RE: Tech: MIDI Keyboard - What 2 Plug it In 2?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 10:07 PM

What you need is an interface.
Search "Audio interface with midi" and something like this will come back at you.
Your local music shop should have a selection of devices.

Some home entertainment centres and PAs can accommodate them but the computer opens you up to a whole variety of virtual instruments.

Subject: Tech: MIDI Keyboard - What 2 Plug it In 2?
From: GUEST,Uncle Jaque
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 09:38 PM

A neighbor recently had a yard sale, after which he invited me to take a crack at the left overs before he carted them off to the dump.

Among the plunder was a computer which allegedly works, given a power supply (included, no less) and a hard drive - one of which I think I have stashed away somewhere.

Another goody was a MIDI keyboard. Since I have the "Melody Assistant" program which can run on a MIDI board and our granddaughter could use a starter keyboard (she's quite musical at nearly 2) that went in the back of the Toyota as well.

On closer examination I find that the cord for this thing has an odd plug consisting of a short tube about a half - inch in diameter with five pins arranged in a semi-circle inside of it.

No where on any of our computers, new or old, can I find a port that will accept that plug.

Is there some sort of external hardware that I'm supposed to have to plug in to, or is this just a hopelessly obsolete rig? Do the modern ones just use a USB port in stead?

Do we have to have a computer to make music with a MIDI keyboard, or is there some other sort of rig that one will plug in to in order to turn it into sort of an electric keyboard?

For the price (gratis) I can't complain, but now I'm curious as to how these things work.