Does ChromeOS support MIDI?

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a technical standard that allows electronic musical instruments, computers, tablets, and other equipment to connect and communicate with each other digitally (https://blog.landr.com/what-is-midi/). MIDI transmits musical and time-based instructions between devices, such as which note to play, timing, velocity, vibrato, panning, and clock signals.

Unlike an audio signal, MIDI information is not the actual sound you hear, but rather the data and commands that tell synthesizers and other devices how and when to generate sounds (https://www.avid.com/resource-center/what-is-midi-musical-instrument-digital-interface). This allows composers and performers to precisely control multiple instruments and devices in synchronization.

MIDI has been an essential innovation for music production, composition, and live performance. It enables complex orchestration, sequencing, and quantitative control of music that would be extremely difficult to produce otherwise. MIDI allows musicians to use keyboard controllers, guitars, drum pads, and other devices to trigger and manipulate software instruments and synthesizers. The MIDI protocol made electronic instruments and computers integral tools in the creative process for artists, producers, and sound engineers (https://www.audiophileon.com/news/what-is-midi).

Overview of ChromeOS

ChromeOS is Google’s Linux-based operating system initially released in 2011. At its core, ChromeOS was designed for web applications and cloud-based computing. Some of the key features of ChromeOS include:

• Optimization for web browsing and web apps, with built-in support for Google services like Gmail, Docs, and Drive
• Automatic updates in the background so the OS stays up-to-date
• Strong security measures like verified boot and sandboxing
• Minimal setup and maintenance needs compared to other operating systems
• Seamless syncing and backup of apps, documents, and settings across devices

ChromeOS was initially targeted towards netbooks and low-cost laptops focused on light computing tasks like web browsing, email, documents, and media consumption (source). The user base has expanded over the years, but ChromeOS devices remain popular in education and as secondary devices for basic productivity and entertainment needs.

MIDI Support in Other Operating Systems

When looking at the degree of MIDI support available in ChromeOS, it is useful to consider how it compares to other mainstream operating systems like macOS and Windows. Both of these OSes have extensive native integration and support for MIDI interfaces and applications.

On macOS, the Audio MIDI Setup utility provides a centralized interface for configuring MIDI devices and routing [1]. The MIDI Studio window shows a graphical representation of your MIDI network that makes it easy to connect apps to devices. CoreAudio and CoreMIDI provide low-latency MIDI input/output streams. Major DAWs like Logic Pro are tightly integrated to leverage this MIDI infrastructure.

Windows has recently modernized and improved its MIDI support with the new Windows MIDI Services, introduced in late 2022 [2]. It provides consistent and reliable connectivity between MIDI apps and hardware. The improved MIDI offering makes Windows more competitive for music production and reduces dependency on third-party tools.

In summary, macOS and Windows provide robust native MIDI handling, connectivity, and workflows out of the box. This contrasts with the more limited MIDI support originally built into ChromeOS.

Native MIDI Support in ChromeOS

Out of the box, ChromeOS has limited native support for MIDI devices. The operating system itself does not include a built-in MIDI sequencer or software synthesizer. This means MIDI devices cannot be used for music production or performance within ChromeOS without additional software.

However, ChromeOS does have basic MIDI input support through the USB port. When a MIDI keyboard or controller is connected via USB, ChromeOS will recognize it as a generic MIDI device. This allows MIDI data to be sent to the Chromebook from the external device.

According to https://gitlab.com/brandonphilips/chromeos-midi-support, USB MIDI devices can be connected to Chromebooks running ChromeOS version 75 or later. The connected MIDI keyboard will function as a basic input device, similar to a computer keyboard or mouse.

While this provides MIDI input, there is no way to use that data within ChromeOS itself without a Chrome app or web app specifically designed to handle MIDI. The MIDI data is simply sent into ChromeOS without any native software to receive and process it. This limits what can be done with MIDI controllers natively.

In summary, ChromeOS has basic MIDI device connectivity but no built-in tools for using MIDI data. Additional software is required to unlock the full potential of MIDI on a Chromebook.

ChromeOS MIDI Options with Chrome Apps

While ChromeOS does not have native MIDI support built directly into the operating system, there are some useful Chrome apps that can enable MIDI functionality on Chromebooks:

The MIDI Player Chrome app allows you to play MIDI files directly on your Chromebook. It supports multiple instruments, volume control, and other basic MIDI playback features. However, it does not allow you to create or edit MIDI data.

For that, the KBD To MIDI Piano Chrome app lets you use your Chromebook keyboard as a MIDI input device. It features a virtual on-screen piano you can play to generate MIDI data and even export the MIDI recording.

While these apps expand MIDI possibilities on ChromeOS, they do not provide the full native MIDI support you get on platforms like Windows, macOS and Linux. The capabilities are limited compared to having low-latency and plug-and-play MIDI integration at the operating system level.

Using DAWs and MIDI on Chromebooks

Digital audio workstations (DAWs) allow musicians and producers to record, edit, and mix audio on their computers. While Chromebooks have traditionally not supported DAWs as fully as Windows or Mac computers, options are improving for running these professional music production software options on ChromeOS.

Some popular DAWs like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and FL Studio do not natively run on ChromeOS. However, there are now viable options for music production on Chromebooks including BandLab, Soundtrap, and Music Maker JAM. These browser-based or ChromeOS-compatible DAWs provide MIDI editing, virtual instruments, effects, and mixing capabilities.

While limited compared to the full desktop versions, these DAW options allow for MIDI and basic music production directly within ChromeOS. Latency can be an issue, so using a USB MIDI interface and external monitors can improve the experience. Overall, Chromebooks are now a reasonable option for basic home recording and MIDI composition.

MIDI Hardware Compatibility

When it comes to using MIDI keyboards and controllers with Chromebooks, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Most USB MIDI keyboards and controllers should work just fine with ChromeOS since the operating system has native support for USB MIDI devices. Brands like Akai, Novation, Arturia, Native Instruments, and others have been tested and confirmed to work.

The main compatibility issue comes with MIDI interfaces that connect via traditional 5-pin MIDI DIN cables and ports. Since most Chromebooks do not have a dedicated MIDI input port, you would need to use a USB-to-MIDI adapter or interface. There are some good, low-cost options from manufacturers like Midiplus and M-Audio that add a standard MIDI DIN input to your Chromebook via USB.

Wireless MIDI solutions can also work well for connecting MIDI gear to a Chromebook wirelessly over Bluetooth. Brands like CME, Korg, and Yamaha make Bluetooth MIDI adapters and interfaces that can transmit MIDI data wirelessly between devices.

Overall, USB and wireless MIDI options have the most seamless compatibility with ChromeOS. While traditional 5-pin MIDI can work with an adapter, you may experience some additional latency and connectivity issues compared to direct USB and wireless connections.

MIDI Latency on ChromeOS

MIDI latency refers to the delay between pressing a key on a MIDI keyboard or controller and hearing the sound come out of the speakers. This is an important consideration for music production, as high latency can make it difficult to play in time. On ChromeOS devices, MIDI latency can vary quite a bit depending on the specific hardware and setup being used.

According to user reports on forums like Reddit, many Chromebooks suffer from very high MIDI latency compared to Mac or Windows machines (source). Even using high-end devices like the Google Pixelbook, latency is often measured in the tens of milliseconds – high enough to be very disruptive. This latency comes from both the Bluetooth connection as well as USB, and does not seem to be strongly dependent on buffer size or sample rate settings.

In comparison, modern Mac and Windows machines generally can achieve roundtrip MIDI latency under 10ms pretty consistently. Professional audio workstations are designed for latency under 3ms. So ChromeOS devices seem to fall short compared to traditional laptop/desktop setups designed for music production.

There are a few potential reasons for the higher MIDI latency on Chromebooks. The operating system and audio stack may introduce more latency than Mac/Windows. Limited processing power on most Chromebook models could also play a role. Overall, ChromeOS does not seem to be fully optimized for real-time audio workloads compared to other mainstream operating systems.

Workarounds and Alternatives

Despite the limitations with ChromeOS’s native MIDI support, there are still some workarounds that can enable MIDI functionality. Here are a few options to explore:

Use a web-based DAW like Soundtrap or AudioTool. These run in the Chrome browser and support connecting MIDI devices. The audio quality may not be as high as a native app, but they provide the essential MIDI workflow.

Install Linux apps on your Chromebook via the Linux (Beta) feature in ChromeOS settings. This opens up options like using the Ardour DAW with full MIDI support. Just keep in mind this requires enabling Developer Mode on your device.

Use an external MIDI interface like the iConnectMIDI2+ that can connect to your Chromebook via USB. This bypasses the need for native MIDI support and converts the MIDI signal for use in ChromeOS and web apps.

If you need full MIDI functionality and software instruments, it may be best to use a Windows laptop or MacOS device instead. For professional music production, Chromebooks still have some limitations compared to other operating systems.

The Verdict on MIDI and ChromeOS

Overall, ChromeOS offers viable yet limited options for MIDI and music production compared to other operating systems like Windows or MacOS. The key strengths of using a Chromebook for MIDI include the affordability and portability of many Chromebook models, as well as the availability of web-based DAWs like BandLab and Soundtrap that can work on ChromeOS. However, the lack of full native MIDI support in ChromeOS itself is a weakness, requiring workarounds like Chrome apps or web-based solutions. Latency can also be an issue for real-time MIDI applications.

For casual MIDI use and music production, Chromebooks and ChromeOS can certainly get the job done. But for professional, low-latency audio work, a Windows or Mac system would be better suited. With some compromises, ChromeOS offers a low-cost way to experiment with MIDI and simple music production in the browser. But for now, it cannot fully replace a desktop DAW setup due to limitations in native hardware support and latency. As ChromeOS evolves, MIDI functionality may improve to make Chromebooks a more viable mainstream option.