Help lamarca! MIDI interface

Subject: Help lamarca! MIDI interface
From: lamarca
Date: 13 Sep 99 - 09:58 PM

My mother asked me a technical computer question that I cannot answer (surprise, surprise)- but I told her "I know where I can find out..." Don't let me down, guys!

Mom has a Yamaha PSR 510 keyboard and a Tangerine iMac (yecchhh - like Macs, hate the new "plastic fruit" look). She would like to hook them together to use a software package to learn how to play piano (after making US take lessons because she never had a chance to...). She needs to buy an additional USB port hub, because the two on her iMAC are filled by the printer and keyboard (computer, that is). She also needs to buy a MIDI interface of some sort that is compatible with her keyboard (I don't know if MIDI formats were standardized by the time Yamaha made that particular model - I know our PSR 500M isn't). What recommendations do y'all have, and where can a retired lady in Minnesota buy them?

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Help lamarca! MIDI interface
From: Alice
Date: 13 Sep 99 - 11:51 PM

ditto for a PSR 225 Yamaha to my son's iMac (lime green, actually looks good, blends in with all the plants). All the instructions I have are from the days before iMac existed.

Subject: RE: Help lamarca! MIDI interface
From: Alice
Date: 14 Sep 99 - 12:05 AM

Lamarca, I just looked in one of my computer books and found this for the iMac and MIDI keyboard:
You'll need, as usual, a serial-to-USB adapter, a MIDI interface...
an iPort expansion card
lets you plug in, among many other things, a MIDI keyboard. Get a MIDI interface and the music software of your choice. I bought the MIDI interface that I have at the same place I bought the keyboard last year. If she calls around to any music store that sells Yamaha keyboards in her area, they should be able to provide what she needs.

Subject: RE: Help lamarca! MIDI interface
From: Alice
Date: 14 Sep 99 - 10:42 AM

well, I looked at the (blue clicky link) iPort on the Griffen Technology website and it says this:

Important Note: The iPort is currently only compatible with Rev A and Rev B models. The current revision of the iPort will NOT work with the new Rev C or Rev D, "flavored" models.

Subject: RE: Help lamarca! MIDI interface
From: lamarca
Date: 14 Sep 99 - 10:54 AM

Yes, Alice, that's what Mom was running into - guess the market hasn't caught up with Apple yet on expansion hubs. I'm really not very hardware savvy, so I'll keep asking around for advice from some of my more technology-inclined friends...

Subject: RE: Help lamarca! MIDI interface
From: Alice
Date: 14 Sep 99 - 10:59 AM

I found this from the Apple website (all the cute little "i" words are enough to make you iRate).

Companies announcing new USB peripherals at Macworld include: MIDIMan (USB MIDI adapter), Opcode (USB-MIDI adapter). (from an article in Jan. 99)

Her is another adapter: Keyspan serial adapter

Subject: RE: Help lamarca! MIDI interface
From: lamarca
Date: 16 Sep 99 - 11:48 AM

Just moving this back up in hopes of a few more responses/suggestions for my mom...
iMmaculately yours,
lamarca

Subject: RE: Help lamarca! MIDI interface
From: Alice
Date: 16 Sep 99 - 02:27 PM

Lamarca, I called Apple and got this recommendation for a MIDI port that works with ANY USB equipped Mac with OS 8.6 or above (including the new colored iMacs).

Opcode's MIDIport 32 USB 32 Channel MIDI Interface. A link to the website for more info and how to order...click here

alice flynn