How to Connect a MIDI Keyboard to a Computer

[@emijeff]

Finally someone that says how to connect the cables and not create a showcase about his luxury stuff hahaha thank you wonderfull video!

[@mimiots9928]

@Emilio José Villacís Villagrán This is glorious, I've been looking for "how do i know what key my piano is in?" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you ever come across - Penaycer Rudimentary Preponderance - (just google it ) ? It is a great one of a kind product for discovering how to play the piano easily without the hard work. Ive heard some awesome things about it and my cousin got excellent results with it.

[@EternalResonance]

wtf. this video never motioned how the small device is connected to the computer. all that was shown was the keyboard connected to the small device.

[@truthprevails4895]

@@EternalResonance All interfaces ("the small device") are connected to your computer via a USB cable. I have two quarter-inch jacks on the front of my interface (a Scarlett 4i4), one of which doubles as an XLR input (for certain microphones). On the back are the two midi ports like what he is showing here. As I have an old midi keyboard that uses these types of ports, I'm watching this video to make sure I'm setting everything up right. But the interface itself is hooked up via a USB cable. Hope that helps.

[@YourFreeBeats]

As someone who has played the synth since the early 70's, in addition to working in software development since the late 80's....I needed some concise information on marrying the two and this video was perfect. Thank you!

[@CreativeSauce]

What a nice compliment - thank you!

[@jstnxprsn]

I spent several hours yesterday trying to get one of my synths and Cakewalk talking, without any luck. Then, as if KZbin sensed my problem, this vid popped up last night. Watched it and plugged things in again today and after a short time I had recorded a midi track and then made an audio track from that, just like you did here. Being I hadn't played piano in nearly a year, it was some pretty horrendous playing, but I don't care. I needed to start getting the basics together and you my dear friend Mike, made that happen for me. As you may remember, I was a trained recording engineer back in the day, so I am really embarrassed to tell you what a major part of the issue I was having was. I forgot to turn on the track record assignment button. Repeatedly. Which is kinda funny as I didn't have any trouble remembering to do that with the mixer on my real world digital recorder. I guess trying to wrap my mind around this being done on a computer is screwing with my head. Right now, I'm just experimenting a bit, but soon my new home studio will be put together and I intend to go through every one of your Cakewalk vids until it's second nature to me. Thanks again, brother. You are the best.

[@Collins690]

I scouted the entire KZbin for a proper description of what I really needed to do. And this is the only channel that provided. You worn my subscription straight of.

[@drutgat2]

This is the best MIDI tutorial about MIDI connections I have found. Many thanks.

[@chasecoleman232]

I concur

[@credenzyinternational2944]

wow nobody on youtube explained the connection n recording so clearly like you did. thank you so much.

[@benmontey3438]

I came with questions, and you answered all of them, in a way I could understand. Godbless you and good on you mate. Other youtubers who want to teach, take notes.

[@beachcomberbob3496]

I had a great experience installing the M-Audio MIDI to USB interface. Worked first time!

[@stevepopkes2403]

Thanks so much I was struggling for a week to make this work. A Pair of midi cables into my audio interface and the correct set up in the tracks and I am now working. I can now use the midi in Cake walk or my external keyborad sounds in my Roland RD700. Your videos are very clear and easy to follow. I am grateful

[@ArtistryMusication]

I know this is an old video but I really wish I saw this when it came out. I have a Roland FA 07 and when I finally got it setup (which took me a long time) I could only record the audio, like you would for electric guitar. That was great in itself but If I wanted to edit it later I'd have to re-record it. Watching this video helped me figure it out. Some just explain what to do or just show you (doesn't always help) You did both and I'm on my way, I already have a template with the 2 tracks already set up. Thank you so much all your videos are very helpful.

[@dragonfly3402]

I've just watched three of your introductory videos and as a complete novice found them incredibly helpful. They have certainly explained a lot of issues for me. Looking forward to getting started. Thanks very much!

[@SebastiaanCommissaris]

I never could figure out how to make this work properly, and I usually know what I'm doing when it comes to computers. Thanks, thumbs up & subscribed!

[@CheeseNoodleOZ]

Awesome Mike!! Simple and easy to understand. I have a Nektar Impact LX25 controller and recently got a bargain on a novation x-station 25 synth. The bonus with the synth is it can also be used as just a controller but also has a built in 2 in 2 out audio interface as well. Now just got to get the right length cables for everything.

[@runa4427]

Thanks man... I don't know where I'd be without you

[@ThePipster2]

All the energy I wasted trying to work this out!! Thank you so much for simplifying this. Finally I can record my synthesiser. Great video, thank you. Watching your channel like a hawk! Lol.

[@sistarfilmpreis6012]

Thank you so much for this perfect video! I followed your instructions, installed Cakewalk, connected my keyboard and it all works!!!!! Now I can start my pianolessons. Before I didn't know anything about keyboard and DAW. So I am really gratefull

[@thomasschatton3481]

Very nice instruction video not only for dummies! Thank you! Well done and pretty useful!

[@kimonas70]

Hello from Kalamata Greece. Very useful basics

[@evroniaallan1293]

Thank you so much for this! I've been trying to find a way to connect my keyboard to my computer for soooo long and you've helped me so much! Thank you!!!

[@CreativeSauce]

Glad it helped!

[@tiepster2000]

Finally someone that give good information

[@RebecaMarques]

This is the best tutorial about it I've ever found! Thanks a lot!

[@chrisgoody8018]

Budget Gordon Ramsey, Im glad I found you

[@flyingfisbeefilms]

Nice to see you got some sleep after your last broadcast.

[@CreativeSauce]

I did! And now pushing on into my second year. But it was fun - so I gotta do it again. Next time a live tutorial of some kind.

[@shamax2201]

Thank you so much. I finally got that Light Bulb moment after watching this this. Was very confused before.

[@jackiedixon5076]

3 years late to this lesson. Love Cakewalk. Thanks!

[@lar57jsy]

Now I know how to hook up my Yamaha keyboard as a midi controller to my laptop. Thank you! :-)

[@amrishvijayvast]

So a normal Keyboard can be connected. Correct?

[@lar57jsy]

@@amrishvijayvast Some can, some can't. Check the labelling on the connectors on your keyboard or check the manual.

[@amrishvijayvast]

Thank you Larry Yates for your kind response.

[@datguyzofficial6233]

after watching stupid videos of people not knowing what their talking about, i found this video saw the branding heard the first few sentences and knew i was at the right place, i was the noob putting my cables in wrong, in 2 in and out 2 out, thank you so much for your help dude, really helpful i got lots of useful information to. have a good day, week and rest of the year.

[@jrrecordingstudio8546]

Now this is what I was looking for, thank you for this awesome video

[@BenevolentMutation]

I have only an Akai MPK mini, 25 key. The process is so much simpler for a midi keyboard because I am only controlling synths etc. If anything that's what I would recommend to people over the way you had to go about it here, typically. I actually did learn something though, as I do not have any synth keyboards myself.

[@CreativeSauce]

Oh I agree very much! I mostly use virtual instruments and just hook up my controller keyboard. But some people just love particular sounds they get from an old synth.

[@danloyol]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you very much for creating it and sharing it.

[@ljdidit2916]

This man needs his own T.V. Show ..

[@CreativeSauce]

LOL, it would eventually end in a scandal!

[@andrewcarson714]

Nicely, kindly done! Hands on... Thank you and bless you❤

[@jejakmaknawi]

Hi, thank you for the video. My midi keyboard only has a USB port as output and I want to use my audio interface (Focusrite) as the soundcard. How do I connect my midi controller to my audio interface's MIDI in Out port? The reason I want this is to avoid using the computer's processing power and reduce the lag time. Hope you can help me. Thank you and greetings from Indonesia ✌🏻

[@crispindry]

Thanks, needed a refresh as the last time I hooked my keyboard up to a computer it was my Roland D10 to an Atari STe running a hooky version of cubase! 🤭

[@chasecoleman232]

Thank you! You are the best at explaining this sort of thing 🙂

[@opiumextract2934]

Thanks for the video, will pass this along to my son

[@bartimaeusboodle8423]

Dear Mike, I have been going through every episode of yours and I have really been blessed to have you as a great technical Man, in the field of Music. The problem I am facing is I have been using my Roland E-09IN Keyboard routing the midi cables and the quarter inch cable through my Sonar V-100 Studio which was playing well till yesterday. Today I tried all the possible settings I could to enable my vst plugins sound through the Keyboard in my DAW , Cakewalk by Bandlabs. I have downloaded the updated drivers for the Sonar V-100 Studio but nothing has worked up. I tried changing from the V-100 studio and connected the connections but still the output sound of the Vst instruments are not heard when I strike the keys of the Keyboard, but the same VST instrument can be heard when played by the computer keys and mouse. Do you think Keyboards need to be set to factory reset so that everything works as before. Please help through your esteemed knowledge in this regards.. God Bless you brother. Regards, Barry

[@arukam2008]

Nice lesson, I assume one also has to connect the Audio interface's USB out to computer's USB port. Will this setup also work if I wish to set Sonar as MTC master and keyboard as MTC slave? This is basically to dump all my sequenced tracks from the keyboard into Sonar. Did this in the past from keyboard to Yamaha AW16G recorder.

[@puiia20]

This video was very helpful! Thank you for sharing your knowledge! ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nice tune by the way. I hit thumbs up and it hit 700! Happy Earth Day 2020! 🌍

[@francesconavarro2725]

Very informative, straight forward, and very well presented!

[@gingerthecat4218]

You are literally my lord and saviour, THANK YOU!!!

[@OliverHenaineOficial]

YOU HELPED ME A LOT! THANKYOU... You're the best!!! Subscribed.

[@CreativeSauce]

My pleasure thank you!

[@gat1124]

Thank you for making it clear.

[@robertfieldsjr.5919]

Hi Mike, somebody showed me a while ago after you record your midi track. use the bounce to tracks tab , and you’ll get the audio on another track.Robert

[@hasnisahar]

Thank you.... excellent. Useful tips...It works...my old Korg TR61 workstation is now my midi keyboard...using USB port ..⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@GregorySM2010]

Hi, Mike. You are probably the person who would tell me how to make Cakewalk by Bandlab and Yamaha Motif rack XS work together. Thank you in advance from California.

[@mosesihachi7842]

Thanks for the video. Do you by any chance have a video on how to set up Integra 7 or any other sound module to the computer alongside a MIDI keyboard.

[@rashad8428]

this was really helpful.. thank you for your service

[@TaffmanGuyo]

Useful as always - thanks & congratulations on Year 1!

[@frich2k]

Awesome video, very informative!

[@alfredoperez8652]

great video! helped me understand how to use my EWI with cakewalk

[@LuisAmbrosioFerreira]

Very useful! Thanks!

[@gegloff1]

Focusrite makes great, affordable audio interfaces with midi I/O. They have great preamps with mic and instrument inputs.

[@quotesndmoods777]

after all, should I connect the synthesizer with a USB to my computer or should I get the audio interface and do these ins and outs?

[@quail_kroonium]

Does this work on Adobe Audition?

[@mayoyan1750]

Detailed and clear explanation , thank you!

[@swamikrishnaaatma7583]

This video solved my problem on deciding what I need. Thank you so much! Hare Krishna

[@CreativeSauce]

Well, that's always a beautiful thing to hear! Thank you :)

[@mrfudd13]

You have answered one puzzle: I bought one of those cheap cable rigs and the computer saw the device, but it wouldn't play in MuseScore. Looks like it doesn't work - the "In" and "Out" lights don't light at all when I play. THANK YOU!

[@Fhining]

Hello, man! Thank you sooo much for these videos. I wanted to ask you a simple question: I have hours trying to map my navigation controllers to Cakewalk. I have an Oxygen 61 and it always work in others DAW like Protools, Reason, Cantabile just as plug and play. In this case I can't use REC, PLAY, FORWARD buttons to control the navigation bar :(. Once again, THANK YOU SO MUCH for helping people with your videos. :)

[@merondyan]

Question, whenever you do this or any other way that you connect the keyboard to the laptop, will the keyboard still produce sound from the keyboard's built-in speaker?

[@kostaszimpos2957]

very helpful video! i managed to record music with my fp30 with connecting only a usb/midi computer cable!

[@akumekz]

This so helpful sir thanks. And also can you please make a video for output to a Passive speaker from a midi keyboard to play.

[@petersonmuloki296]

Good and excellent explanation.

[@CreativeSauce]

Glad you liked it!

[@GPM80]

Another great vid mike!!!!

[@robertfaint1009]

Thank you so much, a real life saver.

[@beachcomberbob3496]

Can you make a video about using the midi keyboard to play VST instruments please?

[@CreativeSauce]

Will put it on the list :)

[@beachcomberbob3496]

@@CreativeSauce Thanks. Are all DAWs as confusing as Cakewalk?

[@ryanthomas2209]

thank you, thank you, thank you for this!

[@agotisan1]

For a sec, I thought the recording he made was from mega man or ninja turtles 😅 Thanks for the info! I really like using cakewalk too!

[@crazymusiclady]

Great video, Mike! My question is, Are there different types of midi cables? Are the ones on Amazon ok to buy? Thanks so much!

[@vhhl2641]

Thank you Sir! This is extremely helpful for me. And well presented!

[@wayfaringshaman]

Is it possible to simultaneously feed a MIDI keyboard (in stereo), a condenser microphone, and a guitar? Would all of those inputs each require L/R inputs - if so, is there even an audio interface with that many XLR inputs? Or could you connect more than one audio interface to a single computer? I prefer them all to be in stereo, and on one instance, to also be able to setup separate L & R mics.

[@matt3122]

How did you get the USB cable input as an option in Cakewalk?

[@rajkamaljangir3618]

Hi sir,, I have a question - which connection is better,, midi keyboard to interface or midi to direct mac or pc ?

[@BrazosP]

Very useful video. So... if I have a keyboard with USB connection - I assume I can use that connection to send actual audio signals as well as MIDI signals, so I don't really need MIDI cables or inputs do I? I guess this is the future? Just wanted to get clear on this point...I assume in the DAW I can change how the sounds are routed...I have a Fractal Axe III, a UA x4, and 2 keyboards...need them all hooked up properly... sounds like the DAW will be the brains of all this...

[@carolyngeemieheitmiller1958]

Thanx for the help. Very helpful

[@Bigbof44]

Hi Mike I have a midi casio keyboard WK3500 which I have connected to my pc using the recommended Roland UM-ONE mk2 midi usb cable. As this is not an interface with audio jack sockets, how do I connect up to record the midi information to an audio track as I do not have a jack socket on my pc. I am a newbie and find your videos a big help. Can you help with this? Clive

[@DJNAVENDU]

I have an old ROLAND PCR 500 which does not work on MAC anymore due to drivers not compatible with newer version of MAC. Can I used the Regular MIDI out from the keyboard and connect it to my daw via 'MIDI to USB' cable that you showed ? I do have couple of audio interfaces lying around with midi in as well. what would be the best solution?

[@tiepster2000]

Tnx for doing this but do u need an audio interface or not

[@penguinperformances]

Thankyou so much for the very clear explanation!!

[@rybytskyy]

Thanks for the video. I plan to buy some audio interface for my midi controller keyboard to improve recording sound quality. As I understand, it is impossible to connect my midi controller keyboard to some audio interface using USB cable. The only option is a midi cable. Is that right?

[@Poochek15]

Simple and instructive, thank you so much!

[@alanblack5665]

Hi! Excellent video. Clear information with simple illustrations. Perhaps you could advise me! I have a Roland RD 2000 and a Korg Kronos 2 61 note synth. I am using Cubase Pro and an M Audio Air 192/6 interface connected to a MacBook. I can connect both of these keyboards to control Cubase using a USB cable. However, if I want to record the Kronos sounds, the only way I seem to be able to do it is to record audio directly by connecting output cables from the keyboard to the USB interface. There must be a simpler way to do this! When I was trialling Logic, I was able to record audio from the Kronos and RD 2000 via USB but cannot manage to do this in Cubase. I have set up both my instruments as plugins in Cubase but still unable to record audio output. Help!

[@garrodtucker638]

correction: use the minus and/or plus buttons until you see pc on the display of your keyboard...you should now be cooking also following what mike says re midi omni etc and selecting midi devices....

[@SmokeeWhine]

best info on the subject thanks

[@uesrname12]

thanks! im just a kid so maybe I could ask my parents to get me a cable when I'm older

[@uesrname12]

maybe zoom into the things you need to look at to make it a little clearer to see?

[@jgsky]

Thank you so much for the detailed explanation!

[@davidspurlock1111]

I have an Alternate Mode Trapkat from 1988? It has MIDI out. My Sound Source is a Pearl Mimic Pro, which has in, out and thru. So would I go from the out in the trapkat, to the in port of the Mimic and from the out port of the Mimic into the laptop?

[@matterece3164]

As a guitar player who also wants to create songs, should I get a MIDI Keyboard first or an Interface?

[@ImGadz]

question: do I need an audio interface or can I just use midi to USB and connect to the pc directly?

[@eduardkrasovsky]

Thanks ,Mike for your video.Its a little bit different with digital piano Yamaha p-125.It has only usb connection not midi connections with in and out.I have only usb recording iterface Focusrite Scarlet 2i2.my question is can i connect Yamaha directly with my laptop?

[@BibleBeltBlues]

Great Job!!

[@petersilver4294]

Thanks Mike. Thanks in advance for your patience with my longish post. I'm new to Cakewalk and DAW generally but your videos help a lot. I'm wondering if I understood your video correctly. In my case, I have a wonderful Yamaha Clavinova CVP-107 that has hundreds of midi sounds in it. It is about 20 years old, but still great. I also have a simple mini controller. I was able to hook up the mini controller direct to the PC and create a track using the built in piano in Cakewalk. However, I'd like to take advantage of the midi sounds in the Yamaha. As I understand your videos, I could plug in the Clavinova and select an instrument track, and record like I did with the mini. But I am limited to the (limited) options in the instrument track menu. (Q: If I download other VST plug ins, will that expand the options for instruments over what is in Cakewalk?) If I want to use the Clavinova built in voices however, I have to create a "midi track" on CW, and record while listening to the keyboard standard output. Once recorded, I then have to route the midi track output to an audio track input using the interface (which I don't yet have), and the interface will recreate the keyboard midi voice, and record it as if I were playing it directly out of my keyboard headphone jack. In essence, you have to link the midi track via the (sound generator) interface, because CW doesn't generate sounds on it's own. Does that sound right? If I'm adding a midi track to an existing project, how would I monitor the midi insturment? Set up the midi and audio tracks and play together with both on record and the rest on playback? (Whew!)

[@CreativeSauce]

Almost correct Peter. Firstly, yes, you can get other sound plugins that work with Cakewalk. Often called VST plugins, and they can be of a very high quality. If you want to use the sounds of Clavinova, then hook it up with MIDI cables, to record the MIDI data (what notes you play and when). You can listen to the sound coming from the clavinova, but Cakewalk won’t record the sound as such, just note information. When you hit play on cakewalk, it will play the MIDI.... which will play your clavinova for you... so you will hear it. However, if you want to hear the sound even when the clavinova is not connected, you will need to record the audio from it, and for that you will need audio cables. I think I should make a video about this soon!

[@petersilver4294]

Thanks! My new project for the weekend. Tip on the way👌Keep the videos coming and I'll keep my newbie questions coming as well.

[@5966ramesh]

Great video. Well explained. Thanks

[@DavidLarew]

Thanks, I was gifted an old Ensoniq keyboard and I'd like to get B3 sound. Do you recommend a vst and controller? Thanks again.

[@jerseymike5733]

Quick question do you need a specific interface just to make beats

[@aromafaithcampugan2399]

Windows 7 is ok for it? I dont know what other apps can be install. Can u suggest me alot sir?

[@tgm2tgm137]

Win 7 is fine! The windows version only matters for your DAW.

[@twistedwired]

Noice. Just curious why your record start position appears to be just before the start of the "shaded" midi section?

[@YSAImusic]

My Casio keyboard doesn't have MIDI in and MIDI out, but it does have a "General MIDI" and a "USB" icon. Does this mean I can still use it as a MIDI controller with a USB A to USB B cable?

[@CreativeSauce]

Most likely yes.

[@noelbulls8628]

Is it posible to send midi out to a into a pc to trigger virtual instruments then back out to keyboard. We want the sound to come out thru the keyboard outputs instead of the interface?

[@sorelliensemble]

SO helpful, thank you!! 👌🏼👌🏼