It can seem really difficult and tricky at first to make a MIDI keyboard work and sound. There are a lot of components and technologies involved! But it is not that complex.
- Software To Play Midi Keyboard Through Pc Windows
- Software To Play Midi Keyboard
- Software To Play Midi Keyboard Through Pc Screen
- Software To Play Midi Keyboard Through Pc Windows 10
- Midi Keyboard Software
Use the audio for teaching, the video for fingerings, and the MIDI to display the notes. Pro users can produce LMS and LMV files for FREE Player users Load video files (H.264) to be able to slow-down, change the pitch, and set loop points. There are usually several MIDI drivers installed on your computer - the soundcard MIDI Player, the Windows Media Player, the MIDI interface, etc. And you need to tell the program you are using which driver to use for MIDI IN and MIDI OUT. If you are getting no sound from your MIDI keyboard after connecting to PC or Mac, then this video will help you troubleshoot the connection. Check the keybo. Play music instruments using midi keyboard, play and record audio files, load VST effect plugins. MidiStuff is a software solution to play music instruments using midi keyboard, play and record audio files, load VST effect plugins and connect these to the MidiStuff audio player. Supported audio file formats: Wave audio files, OggVorbis audio files.
Basically, to be able to play the MIDI keyboard and make it sound, you need to connect the keyboard to a computer (or a tablet) and install the keyboard drivers in that computer. Then you will have to install and lunch a software that is able to produce sound. Finally you will have to configure that software to detect your midi keyboard and then send audio to the computer speakers or studio monitors if you have some.
Read on to review the details about each of these steps. I will try to explain you as much as possible.
There are a couple of options regarding the connection of the MIDI keyboard to the computer. It all depends on the connection types that you have available in your hardware.
Most modern MIDI keyboards already have a USB connection. This is the most straight forward procedure. These keyboards have a USB type-B jack in the back , which is the bigger box jack where you connect the USB cable, and then you just connect the other side (the USB type-A plug) to any of the USB ports in your computer. This is the easy one. If you have this kind of keyboard, just skip to the next section of this article.
Now, if your keyboard does NOT have the USB connection, things get a little more difficult, but it is still possible to connect it to your computer. Don’t panic.
There are many keyboards, which are not only MIDI keyboards, that can be connected to the computer. For example many of the super popular Yamaha keyboards that most of us have or have had at home. I have 2 of those right know!
These keyboards come with a MIDI IN and a MIDI OUT port. These ports are the funky circles with strange little holes inside. As you know, the computers do not have these kind of ports. So, what do you do?
Midi keyboard software windows 10. For this case, you will need the following additional components to be able to make music with your keyboard:
- A midi cable.
- A MIDI interface: a device that transforms the MIDI connection to a USB connection for the computer.
The midi cable is simple. It is just a cable to connect the keyboard to the MIDI interface that will then be connected to the computer. Most keyboards don’t bring this cable. So, this is a very good and affordable MIDI Cable that I really like.
The other component you need is the device or interface that will “translate” the connection. It is a very simple device. You just have to connect the keyboard to this device using the MIDI cable, and then connect the device to the computer using a USB cable. This component is called a MIDI Interface.
There are several options, but the following MIDI Interface is a very good, simple to use option. You do not need to deal with any configuration (other than installing the driver). Just connect the keyboard, then the computer, and you are ready to make music. You can see the current price in this Amazon link.
Now that you have a way to connect the MIDI keyboard to the computer, it is time to try them together. Plug your keyboard to the computer.
As with any USB hardware, the computer needs the keyboard drivers to be able to recognize it and send and receive messages to and from it. The good news are that most USB devices nowadays have their drivers inside them. So, I do not think you will need to insert a CD or download an installation file from the Internet. Hopefully the computer will recognize the keyboard or the MIDI interface and will install the drivers for you. You might still have to follow a setup wizard to complete the installation, but it is mainly a matter of clicking the “Next” button.
If for any reason the computer does not recognize your device, you might have to download the drivers from the hardware provider. Just google the keyboard (or your MIDI interface) brand and model and download the drivers. Make sure you just download drivers from the providers’ official websites. Don’t download random software that may damage your computer. But most of the time you won’t need to do that.
Finally you have all the hardware ready. Now let’s move to the software part.
At this point, it happens the same as when you are looking for a keyboard. You wonder what is the best MIDI software.
The short answer is: it’s the same as selecting an instrument. It is all about your preferences and your budget. Specially your budget.
A software where you can record and produce music is called DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). This software lets you receive and record MIDI information, transform it into audio and produce music (edit, layer sounds, equalize, compress, etc.) I hope we can talk about production in another article.
For now, we want to focus on being able to play the MIDI keyboard and hear the notes through the computer speakers.
If you are starting there is a very good free option. It is called LMMS and it is very focused on MIDI. This is a good option to start with. Just download the software, install it and play with it. There is no risk. In this article you can read about my list of best options of software to start with.
Then of course, there are several commercial options. They are not cheap, I am gonna say. Most of the time they are even more expensive than the actual MIDI keyboard! Unless you have a super nice keyboard.
Some examples of these programs are Reason, Cubase, FL Studio and Ableton. These applications are really focused on MIDI, too.
So, install what you have or what you like, and let’s try to finally make some sound!
If you just installed your software, just make sure it can send audio to your speakers. If your DAW is already configured, then skip this section.
This process will be different from one DAW to the other. But usually you have to go to the “General Settings” menu and look for the audio section. In other systems you might need to look for a “Devices” option.
Whatever the name of the option is, the idea is to be able to select your computer sound card for the output, so that any audio information that is produced within the DAW, is routed to your speakers through the computer audio card.
If you have studio monitors plus an audio interface, then you will have to select your audio interface (which of course should already be connected to the computer) instead of the PC audio card.
By the way, just to clarify: audio interface IS NOT the same as MIDI interface.
This is a very quick summary of the steps for different DAWs, to help you with the configuration. Just be aware that the names of the menus or options might be a little bit different. But the point is to give you an idea of what you have to do and where you have to go in the software to complete the configuration.
For LMMS
- Go to Settings.
- Click on the speaker icon to display the audio settings.
- In the “Interface Audio” section, select your interface. The usual option that works for most people is “SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer)”.
For Cubase
- Go to the “Devices” menu.
- Select “Device Setup”.
- A dialog will open. Select “VST Audio System”.
- On the right side, select the ASIO driver of your audio card.
- Save and go back to the “Devices” menu.
- Select “VST Connections”.
- Check that the “Output” is pointing to your audio card.
For Reason
- Go to “Edit” and then “Preferences” in the top menu.
- From the top list, select “Audio”.
- In the “Audio Card Driver” select your audio card.
For FL Studio
- From the top menu, select “Options” and then “Audio Settings”.
- Click on the “Audio” tab.
- From the “Device” list, look for your installed hardware.
For Ableton
- Go to the “Preferences” menu.
- Click on “Driver Type” to select CoreAudio for MAC or ASIO for Windows.
- Click on “Output Config” to select your hardware from the list.
As you can see, it is pretty much the same process for every DAW. The menu names change, but the main idea is to select your installed hardware for the audio output. Fortunately, your DAW will display the name of your card for you to select it.
Now you just have to test the speakers. A very simple way to do it is to create an audio channel. Then import any audio file (mp3, wav, etc.) and put that audio file in the audio channel. Then just hit the play button and you should hear some audio.
Ok. You have done a great job so far. It wasn’t that difficult, right? Well, here is where the things start to get a little bit tricky. Keep reading, you will manage to play your keyboard.
With the speakers, you configured the output for the DAW. Now for the MIDI keyboard, you are going to configure the inputs to the DAW. This is a very important concept to understand.
Depending on the software you decided to install, the process will be a little bit different. But these are in general, the main steps that you need to follow to use your keyboard with your DAW:
- Make sure your keyboard is on and connected to the computer.
- In your DAW, look for anything related to “inputs”, “midi inputs”, “midi instruments” or “devices”.
- Look for anything like a list of available midi devices. You might have to enable the midi inputs before you can use your keyboard.
- Look for an option that refers to your keyboard. The brand or model of your keyboard will usually be displayed.
- Make sure the speakers are on and try to play some notes.
This process can sometimes be a bit frustrating. It was for me! But it should work.
Again, this is a very quick summary of the steps for different DAWs, to help you with the configuration. Just remember that the menu names might not be exactly the same.
For LMMS
- Create an instrument track by dragging an instrument to the song editor.
- Click the new track name to open the instrument editor.
- In the instrument editor dialog, select the MIDI tab.
- Click the “ENABLE MIDI INPUT” button.
- Then click the little keyboard icon. Your MIDI keyboard should be there if you installed the drivers correctly.
- Select your MIDI keyboard from the list.
- If your speakers are on and you assigned already an audio output for LMMS, you should hear some sound.
For Cubase
- On the “Devices” menu, select “VST Instruments”.
- On the VST Instruments window, right-click on an empty area.
- Click “Add Track”.
- A dialog with the instrument configuration opens.
- If your speakers are on and you correctly assigned an audio output for Cubase, you should hear some sound.
For Reason
- Go to Preferences”.
- For the page, select “Keyboard and Control Surfaces”.
- Select the manufacturer of your keyboard.
- Select the connection type on the “Midi Input” menu.
- If your speakers are on and you correctly assigned an audio output for Reason, you should hear some sound.
For FL Studio
- Go to the “Options” menu and check the “Enable MIDI remote control” option.
- From the top menu, select “Options” and then “Audio Settings”.
- Click on the “MIDI” tab.
- Select your keyboard from the “Input” list.
- Click “Controller Type” and select your keyboard again.
- With the controller highlighted, select the “Enable” switch below the “Input” list.
- You will probably have to create a MIDI track before being able to hear some sound.
For Ableton
- Go to the “Preferences” menu.
- Select the “MIDI Sync” tab.
- Look for your keyboard in the “Control Surface” section and select it for Input and Output.
- You will probably have to create a MIDI track before being able to hear some sound.
It is not crazy difficult to connect your MIDI keyboard to the computer and make some music. It can be tricky, sometimes frustrating, but it is possible and fun.
There are many variables that make this process different for every case, but this was in general what we did:
- Connect the keyboard to the computer using a USB cable, directly from the keyboard or through a MIDI interface.
- Install the MIDI keyboard or interface drivers in the computer.
- Install a DAW like LMMS or Reason to be able to hear sound and eventually record and produce music.
- Configure the audio outputs in our DAW.
- Configure the MIDI inputs in our DAW.
That was it. After all that, we can now play our keyboard, and we can actually hear what we are playing.
There is much, much, seriously, much more. You can record several instrument, you can layer them, you can generate sounds, you can equalize, you can… Well, the list keeps going and going. But this was the beginning of many hours of fun.
How to Connect a Midi Keyboard to an Audio Interface
You might be wondering how to connect midi keyboards to audio interfaces.
If so, I have you covered. Keep reading and I’ll show you how to do it.
Why I love midi keyboards
Midi keyboards are great for small studios.
The possibilities of what you can do with midi keyboard will blow your mind.
The possibilities of what you can do with midi keyboard will blow your mind.
Most people will have access to some virtual instruments in your DAW.
Or maybe you’ve purchased a suite of instruments.
There are all kinds of virtual instruments, synths, and instruments libraries available.
Or maybe you’ve purchased a suite of instruments.
There are all kinds of virtual instruments, synths, and instruments libraries available.
IF you want to see how I produce songs in FL Studio, check this Free course out:
Why I love virtual instruments
I fell in love with instrument libraries.
All of sudden, I could now add in drums, strings, bass, keys, or a dang oboe!
All without owning a single one of those instruments.
It’s amazing how many kinds of instruments you can bring into your songs and projects.
All those virtual instruments can all be controlled with this simple midi keyboard.
All without owning a single one of those instruments.
It’s amazing how many kinds of instruments you can bring into your songs and projects.
All those virtual instruments can all be controlled with this simple midi keyboard.
But you have to be able to connect the midi keyboard into your studio setup.
And this can seem like a daunting process when you first look at it.
Maybe your midi keyboard only has a USB output. Or maybe it only has midi input and output. Or maybe it has both! Ahhh!!
Maybe your midi keyboard only has a USB output. Or maybe it only has midi input and output. Or maybe it has both! Ahhh!!
So what do you do?
Well let’s step back and talk about midi for just a second. And then we’ll dive into how to get it all connected.
What is midi?
Midi at its most basic level is like a small machine that is telling a software program what to do.
Think of it like a drill instructor, who is calling out commands.
The piece of software, the VST, is what is receiving the commands.
The host software is the DAW. And in our case the midi keyboard is what is issuing the commands.
Think of it like a drill instructor, who is calling out commands.
The piece of software, the VST, is what is receiving the commands.
The host software is the DAW. And in our case the midi keyboard is what is issuing the commands.
You have a virtual instrument. Let’s say a piano. You load this into your digital audio workstation.
Then you set up your keyboard so that it can give commands to the instrument you loaded in the DAW.
Then you set up your keyboard so that it can give commands to the instrument you loaded in the DAW.
Your midi keyboard is a like a micromanager in a corporation.
You have a virtual instrument, that does the actual work (putting out the sound).
But the micromanager is telling it what to do in the background.
You have a virtual instrument, that does the actual work (putting out the sound).
But the micromanager is telling it what to do in the background.
So if you record a midi track, it is just a set of commands.
This is usually in the form of the chords or notes that you are playing.
And parameters like how hard you are playing them, and when you change to the next note or chord.
This is usually in the form of the chords or notes that you are playing.
And parameters like how hard you are playing them, and when you change to the next note or chord.
All of those commands are coming from the keyboard.
The beauty of midi, is that you can take all that stored information and give it to another instrument.
So let’s say you recorded all the midi information for a piano part.
Well later you can transfer that midi to another instrument, like a string section.
Or a dang oboe if you feel like it!
Well later you can transfer that midi to another instrument, like a string section.
Or a dang oboe if you feel like it!
A lot of people will start composing songs on a piano.
Then use what they have created via MIDI and break that out to different instruments.
This can create a more full sound. It’s pretty amazing when you think about it.
Then use what they have created via MIDI and break that out to different instruments.
This can create a more full sound. It’s pretty amazing when you think about it.
So now you know the basics about MIDI is and what it does.
Let’s talk about how to physically attach a midi keyboard.
How to connect midi keyboard to audio interface
First we are going to figure out what outputs we have on the midi keyboard.
Then we will figure out what kind of inputs are available on the audio interface or computer.
And then we’ll figure out the right solution for you.
Then we will figure out what kind of inputs are available on the audio interface or computer.
And then we’ll figure out the right solution for you.
What kind of outputs do you have on your midi keyboard
Usually on a midi keyboard there are going to be 2 different kinds of outputs available.
If the keyboard you are using has its own built in sounds, it may also have a third output output option.
But we’re not going to talk about the third output option here.
If the keyboard you are using has its own built in sounds, it may also have a third output output option.
But we’re not going to talk about the third output option here.
We’re going to focus on two of the output options first, since they relate directly to MIDI.
So here are the two connection types:
So here are the two connection types:
- MIDI inputs and outputs
- USB output
MIDI Input/Ouput
These are pretty recognizable, because they are an unusual looking connection. Just look for the circle with the 5 pins. Like this image below:
USB Output
This will usually be a USB-A type connection on the back of your midi keyboard.
It will most of the time look like this:
It will most of the time look like this:
Different ways to connect a midi keyboard to a computer
So with these two basic output types, there are three ways that you can connect the midi keyboard.
- Connect the midi keyboard directly to audio interface
- Midi keyboard connecting directly to computer
- Or midi keyboard to midi adapter/midi hub to computer
MIDI Keyboard to an Audio Interface
Do you have the MIDI input/output on your midi keyboard, and midi input/output on your interface?
Then in this scenario, you can directly attach the midi keyboard to your audio interface with a pair of midi cables.
Then in this scenario, you can directly attach the midi keyboard to your audio interface with a pair of midi cables.
The weird part about how you connect the wires is the opposites.
You connect the output from your keyboard, to the input of the midi interface.
You connect the output of the audio interface to the input of the keyboard.
You connect the output from your keyboard, to the input of the midi interface.
You connect the output of the audio interface to the input of the keyboard.
Why?
Well you have to think of it as a loop
The midi keyboard is giving commands.
Those commands are leaving the keyboard via the output.
The audio interface has to receive the commands. Piano keyboard apple computer. It receives them through the input.
And vice versa.
The audio interface has to receive the commands. Piano keyboard apple computer. It receives them through the input.
And vice versa.
So you are creating a loop for the keyboard and the audio interface to talk to each other.
It might seem a little confusing to set up. But once you have it all connected, you’re good to go.
It might seem a little confusing to set up. But once you have it all connected, you’re good to go.
The upside to this is that you still only have one attachment to your computer through the audio interface.
But now you have an access to an additional controller inside your DAW.
But now you have an access to an additional controller inside your DAW.
The downside to this setup, is that you have to have a power adapter for your midi keyboard.
I think this is where the USB connection to a computer has an advantage.
I think this is where the USB connection to a computer has an advantage.
Software To Play Midi Keyboard Through Pc Windows
USB connection from keyboard directly to computer
So if your midi keyboard has a USB connection on the back, you’re in luck.
You just use a USB cable and attach directly to your computer.
You don’t have to worry about the inputs and outputs. There’s only one cable.
You just use a USB cable and attach directly to your computer.
You don’t have to worry about the inputs and outputs. There’s only one cable.
But wait, you might say. I was trying to attach the midi keyboard to my audio interface.
Well you are in this scenario. It’s just a little bit of a roundabout way.
Well you are in this scenario. It’s just a little bit of a roundabout way.
Software To Play Midi Keyboard
You’ve attached the midi keyboard to the computer.
Setting it up in the DAW
Now when you go into your DAW, navigate to the settings window.
Let’s assume you’ve already setup your audio interface.
Then all the audio from the DAW is passing through the audio interface.
Let’s assume you’ve already setup your audio interface.
Then all the audio from the DAW is passing through the audio interface.
Now when you go to the MIDI settings, you enable your keyboard to give commands in the DAW.
When you do that, you have effectively connected your midi keyboard to your audio interface.
When you do that, you have effectively connected your midi keyboard to your audio interface.
When you load a VST in the DAW, now you can play it with your midi keyboard.
And the sound that you have played, will pass through the audio interface.
You’ve basically made a virtual connection between the midi keyboard and the audio interface.
It sounds complicated, but it’s not.
And the sound that you have played, will pass through the audio interface.
You’ve basically made a virtual connection between the midi keyboard and the audio interface.
It sounds complicated, but it’s not.
Think of the micromanager example from earlier.
The midi keyboard is the micromanager.
The DAW in the computer is like the building that the micromanager works in.
He’s been assigned to micromanage a few workers (Virtual instruments) inside this building.
The DAW in the computer is like the building that the micromanager works in.
He’s been assigned to micromanage a few workers (Virtual instruments) inside this building.
Now that he’s been assigned the work inside the building, he can go about barking his commands to the virtual instruments.
This is probably the most common setup for midi keyboards in small studios.
There is another advantage to this setup as well.
The USB cable can actually supply power to the midi keyboard.
So you don’t need to purchase a power adapter.
The USB cable can actually supply power to the midi keyboard.
So you don’t need to purchase a power adapter.
One cable attaches the keyboard to the computer, and powers the keyboard! Sweet!
Connecting MIDI Keyboard to Computer through MIDI HUB
There is another option for connecting your midi keyboard to the computer.
This is would be the scenario where you only have midi inputs and outputs from your keyboard, but you have no midi inputs/outputs on your audio interface.
This is would be the scenario where you only have midi inputs and outputs from your keyboard, but you have no midi inputs/outputs on your audio interface.
You would need to get a Midi to USB adapter.
Or a Midi hub. If you had multiple keyboards or other midi instruments that you wanted to be able to bring into your music production setup.
Or a Midi hub. If you had multiple keyboards or other midi instruments that you wanted to be able to bring into your music production setup.
So how this works.
You would have midi cables coming from your keyboard.
These would attach to the midi inputs and outputs on the adapter or the midi hub.
You would have midi cables coming from your keyboard.
These would attach to the midi inputs and outputs on the adapter or the midi hub.
Software To Play Midi Keyboard Through Pc Screen
The adapter then has another end. Usually USB.
That USB cable would attach to the computer.
That USB cable would attach to the computer.
So basically this adapter or midi hub has converted your midi keyboard to have a USB connection to the computer.
You can then use your midi keyboard inside your DAW.
You can then use your midi keyboard inside your DAW.
RECOMMENDATIONS
If you are reading this because you are trying to figure out what kind of midi keyboard to purchase, then here’s what I’d say. Look for the USB connection if you can find it. The reason I would recommend this option over the others is the ease of connection and use.
With the USB setup, you have built in power. Which means you don’t have to purchase a separate power adapter.
And I personally have moved to using a smaller 25 key midi controller.
Now this is totally a personal preference, but I’ll tell you why I decided to go this route.
Now this is totally a personal preference, but I’ll tell you why I decided to go this route.
I initially had a 49 key midi controller. But I didn’t have a dedicated space that I could setup it up. So every time I wanted to use it, I would have to break out a keyboard stand. Get it all connected to the computer, and then start using it.
It just created another layer of resistance to me using it.
Why I like smaller midi controllers
So I opted for a smaller keyboard. I could set it up permanently on my desk. It’s always connected to the computer. And it’s ready for me to use. Which means I can immediately lay down ideas that I have.
I don’t have to go through a setup process. It makes it easy for me to get ideas down quickly and be able to develop songs faster than I could before.
That’s the reason I chose to use this smaller setup.
If your primary instrument is a keyboard, then you may not like the smaller key setup.
You may want to go for a larger model, like an 88 key variation. These larger midi keyboards usually have hammer action built in, which makes them feel more like a regular keyboard.
You may want to go for a larger model, like an 88 key variation. These larger midi keyboards usually have hammer action built in, which makes them feel more like a regular keyboard.
Plan according to the space you have
![Keyboard Keyboard](https://www.gearslutz.com/board/attachments/music-computers/455598d1425944082-pro-tools-botching-my-audio-playback-1.png?s=90f6e1a72f1c85b091f8dd607b3e3235)
Just keep in mind your setup and what you have space for.
If you have to set it up and tear it down every time you want to use it in a project, it can be a pain. I think the best tools are the ones we use the most often. So make sure that you can set it up in a way that it’s accessible to you at all times.
NOTE : if you want to see how I produce songs in FL studio, check out my free class below:
Otherwise you might just find it sitting in a corner. And you won’t want to go through the effort to set it up to use it.
Think about your studio space, and what will be most beneficial to your workflow.
Software To Play Midi Keyboard Through Pc Windows 10
So now we’ve covered how to connect midi keyboard to audio interfaces and so much more.
Midi Keyboard Software
Hopefully this has been helpful you.