Midi Into Mac, question Options

[Eddie5bellies]

Hi there,
Just bought a mac g5. Was wondering do I need any sort of midi interface in order to plug my midi keyboard in ? Or can I just get a midi to usb cable an pl;ug it straight in the back.
Thanks
Ed

[johnnyboy]

you will need more than that. Midi devices just send out "clicks" which must be interpreted by a midi interface device. if you are using garageband, for example, you will need some midi interface device which will interpret these and then use the software instruments to change those "clicks" into what you want them to be. this link gives a good list of interface devices and a lot of other help, if you are using garageband.

http://thehangtime.com/gb/gbfaq2.html#interfaces

[jimdubpram]

If your midi keyboard is Mac compatible should be just plug in your USB and play.

[Eddie5bellies]

thanks very much. I am using ableton live at the moment. Not sure if my midi keyboard is mac compatable but I'll check,
have a nice w end.,

[jce44]

Hi. I'm new to this post and digital recording, but I've researched a lot!. If your keyboard came with a USB connector, then you can use that cable to get the digital signal to your Mac G5. I've searched everywhere for a midi to USB cable and they just don't make tham anymore. (Used to though?)

The USB ports on your Mac G5 should be 2.0 capability. If your keyboard (again) has a USB connector, it might be USB 1.0. That's a lot slower cabability than the USB 2.0 port, but it will still work? Whether or not your MAC G5 will see and recognize your keyboard after connecting it is something else...

There are also many interfaces (connection boxes) that will allow you to connect a midi cable fom your keyboard to the interface and then connect the interface to your G5. Some of the brand new types will have the USB 2.0 format, with more models coming out later this year. Some interfaces hook up to your computer with FireWire. These interfaces come with their own software.

I don't know about the music software that came with your G5 or what you've added, but there's many different software programs that will take the midi (digital) signal and turn it into digital music.

Harmony Assistant is one. Free trial, unlimited time, but th trial version limits some capabilities. I like it, bought it years ago.

http://www.myriad-online.com/en/docs/harmonydesc.htm
"Real-time MIDI input-
If you own a MIDI keyboard, you can perform real-time MIDI input. Above this, because Harmony Assistant also manages digital tracks, you can record at the same time a digital audio track. You can then record your voice with the microphone while you play on keyboard."

[kaboombahchuck]

Yes, your keyboard is mac compatable..
I assume your keyboard does not have a USB cable sticking out the back of it.
Instead (I assume) it will have a midi in, out, and maybe through ports on the back. You will need to get a midi to usb interface (I prefer the MOTU Fastlane). The one I use cost around $70. There are cheeper ones, but I have found the one I use to be most reliable.
Once you get an interface, it should come with the driver needed.... If not, the manufacturer will have a site with current drivers (hopefully). Load the driver for the device, run your midi cables (in to out, out to in) and plug the usb cable of the interface to the mac. Turn everything on then.
Open Audio MIDI Setup (in Applications/Utilities), and click MIDI Devices.

The MIDI interface device connected to your computer should appear in the pane. If not, click Rescan MIDI in the toolbar.

Choose New Configuration from the Configuration pop-up menu. Give the new configuration a name and click OK.
Double-click the icon for your MIDI interface device to describe the device.

You can give it a name and provide other information about the device. This name will appear in applications you use with your MIDI device. Click More Information to select settings for the MIDI properties and ports for the device. Click Open Icon Browser to change the icon. When you're ready, click Apply.

For each MIDI device connected to your MIDI interface device that you want to include in the configuration, click Add Device. Double-click the icon for the device to name the device, select a different icon for it, and specify MIDI settings for the device.
To specify the connection between the MIDI interface device and a MIDI device, drag from the output or input connectors above the device icon to the corresponding connector on the other device icon.

And that's all there is to it!

[aportman]

Yes! You should be able to plug your usb in, set-up for the midi device you are using, and go and make music. i want to replace my G4 with a G5. I am very jealous! Good Luck!

Allen

[Eddie5bellies]

thanks so much everyone.