Does MIDI to USB work?

What is MIDI?

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a technical standard that describes a communications protocol, digital interface, and electrical connectors that connect a wide variety of electronic musical instruments, computers, and related audio devices for playing, editing and recording music (Source: https://www.midi.org/midi-articles/a-brief-history-of-midi).

The MIDI specification was first published in August 1983 by Dave Smith, founder of Sequential Circuits, and Ikutaro Kakehashi, founder of Roland Corporation. They developed MIDI to make it possible to connect devices from different manufacturers. This was a major breakthrough, as previously it was very difficult to connect devices from different companies (Source: https://www.perfectcircuit.com/signal/history-of-midi).

MIDI allows various digital musical instruments, computers, tablets, smartphones and other equipment to connect and communicate with one another to exchange system data like notes, timbre, patches, control signals for parameters such as volume, vibrato, audio clips, and clock signals to set tempo. The most common MIDI applications are composing and editing music using a computer with MIDI-equipped hardware such as a MIDI controller keyboard, electronic drums, synthesizers, samplers, and sound modules (Source: https://www.midi.org/midi-articles/a-brief-history-of-midi).

Technically, MIDI uses a serial transmission at a rate of 31.25 kbps. A MIDI stream contains event messages that specify notation, pitch and velocity, control signals for volume, vibrato, audio panning, cues, and clock signals to set tempo. The devices in a MIDI chain convert these event messages into audio by playing the appropriate sounds and rhythms. The MIDI messages themselves are symbolic representations of musical phrases rather than the actual audio waveforms (Source: https://www.midi.org/specifications).

What is USB?

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard connection interface for computers and other devices. It was first introduced in the mid 1990s to replace the wide variety of specialized ports that were previously used to connect peripherals like keyboards, mice, and printers.

The origins of USB trace back to 1994, when seven leading technology companies – Intel, Microsoft, IBM, NEC, Nortel, Compaq and DEC – came together to develop a standard that would simplify the connection process for consumers and manufacturers (The history of USB: What you need to know).

Some key developments in the history of USB include:

USB 1.0 was released in 1996. It could transfer data at 1.5 Mbps.
USB 1.1 followed in 1998, increasing speeds to 12 Mbps.

USB 2.0 arrived in 2000, with a major speed boost to 480 Mbps.
USB 3.0 was launched in 2008. It can transfer data up to 5 Gbps.

The main types of USB connectors include:

USB-A – The standard rectangular USB plug found on computers.
USB-B – The square-shaped connector often used for printers.
USB-C – A newer reversible plug standard being widely adopted.

At the technical level, USB is a plug-and-play serial bus standard. It allows peripheral devices to be connected using a standard port and communication protocol. This eliminates the need for proprietary ports and makes connecting devices between computers easier and more user-friendly.

MIDI to USB Conversion

A MIDI to USB converter allows devices that use MIDI connectivity to interface with computers via USB. MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) was developed in the 1980s as a standard protocol for electronic musical instruments to communicate with each other. MIDI carries event messages that specify notation, pitch, velocity, vibrato, panning and clock signals. This allows MIDI devices like synthesizers, keyboards and drum machines to be connected together and synchronize tempo and playback.

While MIDI was very popular for music production, the advent of digital audio workstations, USB connections and software instruments has made it somewhat outdated. Many modern musicians now prefer the convenience of USB connectivity over the limitations of MIDI ports. This is where MIDI to USB converters come in handy.

A MIDI to USB device acts as a bridge between the MIDI ports on your hardware and a USB port on your computer. The MIDI data sent over the 5-pin DIN cables from your instruments gets converted into a digital signal your computer can understand via USB. This allows you to record MIDI performances into your DAW (digital audio workstation) just like an audio interface records mics and instruments.

Common uses and applications for MIDI to USB converters include:

Connecting MIDI keyboards, controllers and sound modules to music production software like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, etc. This allows you to play virtual instruments and control parameters using the hardware controls.

Recording performances from hardware synthesizers/drum machines into a DAW environment. Once the MIDI data is captured it can be edited and manipulated.
Synchronizing vintage gear with MIDI clock signals from modern DAWs.
Connecting lighting and stage equipment in live shows that may require MIDI triggers.

Overall, MIDI to USB converters enable seamless integration of MIDI devices with modern computer setups. They preserve the utility of older MIDI hardware and allow it to interface with cutting-edge music software.

Advantages of Converting MIDI to USB

Converting MIDI to USB offers some key advantages over traditional 5-pin MIDI connections:¹

Wider Device Compatibility – USB MIDI allows connection to a broader range of devices compared to 5-pin MIDI which requires specific MIDI input/output ports. USB MIDI works with any device that supports standard USB connections.

Easier Connection Setup – With traditional MIDI connections, input and output ports need to be matched properly between devices. USB MIDI only requires plugging into the USB port without worrying about input/output pairing.

Enhanced Portability – USB cables are smaller and more flexible compared to MIDI cables. USB MIDI allows transporting gear more easily and connecting in tighter spaces. No extra power cables are needed either.

Disadvantages of Converting MIDI to USB

While converting MIDI to USB offers some benefits, there are also some potential downsides to be aware of:

One disadvantage is the possibility of increased latency. The conversion process can introduce a small delay that may impact timing when recording and producing music (Source). This could lead to synchronization issues.

Another downside is potential driver compatibility problems. Some MIDI to USB converters may not work properly with certain operating systems or require extra driver installation. There can be inconsistencies across devices and platforms (Source).

Finally, there is the added cost of purchasing a MIDI to USB converter. While prices vary, an extra piece of hardware may be an unwanted expense for some musicians and producers.

Types of MIDI to USB Converters

There are two main types of MIDI to USB converters:

Cables

MIDI to USB cables are the simplest converters. They have MIDI ports on one end and a USB connector on the other end. These cables act as a bridge between the MIDI device and computer. They tend to only support 1 MIDI input and 1 MIDI output.

Standalone Boxes

Standalone MIDI to USB converter boxes often have multiple MIDI inputs and outputs, allowing you to connect several MIDI devices. Popular options like the MOTU MIDI Express have up to 8 MIDI ins and outs. Brands like Roland and Yamaha also make MIDI interfaces with 2, 4 or 8 ports.

These standalone converter boxes are more flexible for connecting multiple gear. However, they are bulkier and more expensive than basic cables.

Setup and Configuration

Properly setting up a MIDI to USB connection requires a few steps. First, you’ll need to install any required drivers for your MIDI interface or converter device. Many modern operating systems include generic MIDI drivers, but some devices may require proprietary drivers from the manufacturer.

According to discussions on the XpressoFR forum, there may be driver configuration settings needed to enable MIDI over USB: “Setting up MIDI over USB”. The drivers handle routing MIDI data from the device to music software over the USB connection.

Next, you’ll want to configure MIDI channel mapping in your music software. This allows you to assign instrument and controller data to specific MIDI channels. For example, channel 1 could be a software synth, channel 2 a drum module, etc. Proper MIDI channel assignment ensures your devices respond appropriately.

Troubleshooting MIDI to USB connectivity can involve checking for driver updates, using a different USB cable, trying a different USB port, restarting devices, and confirming MIDI settings in your music software. The Lemur MIDI controller tutorial from Template Tutorial Series offers some useful MIDI USB tips as well.

Usage Examples

MIDI to USB converters provide musicians with an easy way to integrate MIDI devices into their computer-based music production workflows. Here are some common use cases for MIDI to USB:

Connecting a MIDI keyboard controller to a DAW (digital audio workstation) on a computer. The MIDI keyboard sends note data over USB to the DAW, allowing for easy piano-roll style composition and performance recording. Many modern MIDI keyboards have built-in MIDI to USB conversion for this purpose (source).

Controlling hardware synthesizers or drum machines using MIDI data from a DAW. By converting the MIDI output from the DAW to USB, it can be routed back into the synthesizer or drum machine as control data, allowing for automated parameter changes and sequencing. This provides flexibility during music production (source).

Recording the MIDI output of hardware synthesizers or controllers into a DAW. By placing a MIDI to USB device in between the hardware gear and the computer, the otherwise analog MIDI signals can be captured as digital data for editing and production within the DAW.

Alternatives to Conversion

Rather than converting MIDI to USB, there are a couple other options for connecting MIDI devices:

Native USB-MIDI Support

Many modern MIDI devices and controllers now have native USB-MIDI support built-in. This allows them to connect directly to a computer via USB cable without any MIDI-to-USB conversion. Devices with USB-MIDI integration bypass the need for a separate converter box or interface (Source).

Wireless MIDI Solutions

Wireless MIDI devices use Bluetooth or radio signals to transmit MIDI data wirelessly between devices. This removes the need for any cables or converters. There are wireless MIDI systems like Yamaha’s MD-BT01 that allow MIDI instruments to connect wirelessly to phones, tablets or computers (Source).

Both native USB-MIDI support and wireless systems offer alternatives to converting MIDI signals to USB. They provide cable-free connectivity without the need for an external interface or converter box.

The Bottom Line

In summary, converting MIDI to USB can provide several benefits but also has some downsides to consider. The main advantages are increased compatibility, faster data transfer speeds, and wider connectivity options by using the ubiquitous USB format. However, there can be latency issues, the need for drivers, and reduced MIDI message resolution with some cheaper converters. High quality dedicated MIDI interfaces likely offer better performance, but MIDI over USB provides an affordable and convenient option for many.

Overall, MIDI to USB conversion generally works well for basic MIDI routing and sequencing applications. The quality of the conversion depends on the specific converter used – cheap generic cables may cause problems, while dedicated converters from reputable brands deliver good results comparable to traditional MIDI interfaces. With proper configuration, MIDI over USB is a viable connectivity solution for many music production setups.

In conclusion, converting MIDI to USB is typically a feasible option that provides key benefits like wider compatibility and plug-and-play connectivity. While traditional MIDI interfaces have some advantages for pro uses, a good MIDI to USB converter can meet the needs of most musicians and spare the need for extra interface hardware.