Your Answer

If you have further questions or need more information, ask a question, or contact us.

Question: How do I use a sound card MIDI cable to connect my computer and keyboard?

Answer:

1. Connect the 15 pin male connector (the large rectangular end with pins) to the 15 pin joystick (or game port) connector on your soundcard.
2. Connect the 5 pin "MIDI OUT" plug to the "MIDI IN" on your keyboard or MIDI device
3. Connect the 5 pin "MIDI IN" plug to the "MIDI OUT" on your keyboard or MIDI device
4. Set up your software to use the external MIDI device. This step depends on your software, but usually you will find a menu item called "Set-up", "MIDI preferences", "devices", "Options" or "Equipment."
   
   a) If you want the sound to be produced by your keyboard, set the "Output Driver" to use the driver with the words "MIDI OUT", "MPU-401" or "EXTERNAL MIDI" in it. Unfortunately, this port is called something different on each sound card. For example, on the Sound Blaster cards it is usually called "SB MIDI OUT".
   
   b) If you want the computer to "listen" or record from your keyboard, set the "Input Driver" to use the driver with the words "MIDI IN", "MPU-401" or "EXTERNAL MIDI" in it. Unfortunately, this port is called something different on each sound card. For example, on the Sound Blaster cards it is usually called "SB MIDI IN".