Instruction Manual

54 Introduction
Setup
MIDI Connections
There are three types of MIDI cables in common use. Here’s how to
connect each of the three types:
• USB cable—this is extremely common. Many electronic keyboards and
stand-alone MIDI interfaces use this type of connection. To use this
type of connection, simply plug one end of the USB cable into the USB
jack on your MDI keyboard or stand-alone MIDI interface, and plug the
other end into your computer. If you are using a stand-alone USB MIDI
interface, you then need to connect standard MIDI cables between your
MIDI keyboard and your stand-alone MIDI interface (see the next
procedure, below). If you haven’t already installed the software MIDI
driver that came with your keyboard or interface, make sure you do so.
• Standard MIDI cable—this is also very common. MIDI keyboards
usually have jacks for these cables even if they have a USB
connection. You need two of these cables. To use this type of cable,
use one cable to connect the MIDI OUT jack on your MIDI instrument to
the MIDI IN jack on your stand-alone MIDI interface or sound card, and
one to connect the MIDI IN jack on your MIDI instrument to the MIDI
OUT jack on your stand-alone MIDI interface or sound card. Many
stand-alone MIDI interfaces and audio interfaces use this type of
connector.
• Joystick connector—this is becoming less common. This is the type of
connection seen on older SoundBlaster type sound cards. To use this
type of connection, find the end of one of the MIDI cables that is labeled
OUT. Plug this connector into the MIDI IN jack on your electronic
keyboard. The other 5-pin connector on the MIDI cable is labeled IN.
Plug this connector into the MIDI OUT jack on your electronic
keyboard. Plug the 15-pin connector on the MIDI cable into the MIDI/
joystick port on your sound card. If you have a joystick, unplug it, plug in
Standard MIDI cable—use this if your MIDI interface has standard 5-pin input and output
ports