Midi Keyboard For Mac

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Sometimes it can be really hard to be sure if your MIDI keyboard controller or other your USB-MIDI interface is working correctly, particularly if you are using it with complicated software. My suggestion is to separate the two things! Test that the hardware is working OK first. Use your computer’s control panel then test the device with a MIDI diagnostic tool.

Once you can see the MIDI device is working you know that you need to work on the software configuration. Tip: Make sure you install, connect and turn on your MIDI controller first, then start up the software you want to use. Some software just won’t find devices if you turn them on after starting up the software. The video below will take you through some testing basics, then read on for links and more information. If you want a bit more info, then you might find our basic guide on what is MIDI helpful.

In a nutshell, Virtual MIDI Piano Keyboard is a user-friendly and practical OS X application designed to help you use your Mac as a virtual MIDI synthesizer. Midi piano Midi keyboard Piano keyboard Piano Midi Keyboard Player. Download Hubs. Virtual MIDI Piano Keyboard is part of these download collections: Piano Managers. We recently rounded up the best MIDI keyboards for Mac and Logic Pro X (2017 edition), and now it’s time to get portable. At this point in time, it’s hard for me to even believe that MIDI isn. Question: Q: Using midi keyboard on Mac Pro I am planning to get a Mac Pro and would like to know if you can connect a midi keyboard to a USB port on a Mac. My current setup is that I have the midi keyboard connected to the gameport on the SoundBlaster sound card in my Windows PC. If you use MIDI devices or a MIDI interface connected to your Mac, you can use Audio MIDI Setup to describe the configuration of your MIDI devices. You can use this configuration information for apps that work with MIDI, such as sequencers, to control your MIDI devices. Open Audio MIDI Setup for me. Connect your MIDI devices to your Mac.


If you are using Windows, then download MIDI-Ox, it’s a fantastic piece of software that shows the stream of MIDI data on your screen so you can check every key, fader, pad and wheel on your MIDI keyboard and be sure they are all working OK. Download it here:

MIDI-Ox MIDI diagnostic tool.

Then if you want a step-by-step guide on how to use it, this page on the M-Audio support portal is great, with easy to follow screen shots. Although it is referring to an M-Audio device you can use this software with any MIDI keyboard or interface.

If you are on a Mac then the SNOIZE MIDI Monitor software does a similar job and they have nice documentation on their site on how to use it.

What If The MIDI Keyboard Isn’t Working?

If you still think the keyboard is not connecting correctly, then there is a useful post here on the Numark site which will help you to troubleshoot your plug and play device. Especially in Windows the native drivers can be missing or corrupted and may need to be re-installed.

If your device is not plug and play then you will need to go to the manufacturer’s site and download the correct drivers. NEVER do a ‘google search’ for drivers – there are lots of dodgy sites out there which will try to tempt you to download all kinds of things from them. Instead, go to the official site of the manufacturer of your particular device and navigate to their support/download page directly. The best manufacturers (Alesis, M-Audio, Numark, Roland, Korg, Samson etc) have telephone support as well, so take advantage of it. But do work through the above steps first!

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We have tried all the following controllers, they work really well and if you have any problems then the manufacturer’s give fantastic support. As an added bonus, they all work on PC, Mac and iPad!


Samson Graphite 49 USB MIDI Controller A USB MIDI Controller that gives you all the performance and production control you need to get the most out of your music software. Combining an intuitive semi-weighted keyboard with a feature set that is both useful and accessible.


CME Xkey 25-Key Portable Musical Keyboard USB MIDI compliant with iPad, Android, tablet / phone, Microsoft Surface Pro, Mac and PC, perfect for mobile music creation, studio recording, and live performance


Novation Launchkey 25-Key Mini USB MIDI Controller Keyboard for iPad, Mac and PC A compact mini-key instrument/controller, Launchkey Mini features 16 velocity-sensitive, three-color illuminated launch pads, which can be used to launch loops, sounds, effects, transport controls, and more.


Korg microKEY 37-Key USB Powered Keyboard a thin, lightweight, and USB-powered keyboard with 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys, comfortable and easy-to-play Natural Touch keyboard

Already got a nice keyboard, but no MIDI connection? Then you could get one of the following MIDI interfaces and soon be hooked up to your favourite MIDI software


Roland UM-ONE MK2 USB MIDI Interface High-performance FPT processing, very compact, affordable, and easy to use. Compatible with PC, Mac and iPad.


iConnectivity mio 1-in 1-out USB to MIDI Interface Plug and play – no drivers or difficult installation needed, ultra low latency MIDI Input and Output


Creative EMU XMIDI 1X1 USB MIDI Interface Active-Sensing messages filtered, MME, DirectMusic and CoreMIDI supported


M-Audio USB Midisport Uno MIDI Interface Perfect for connecting a keyboard or controller to your computer with upward mobility – add as many USB Midisport interfaces to your computer as you have USB ports

This article is for you if you want to record the actual sound of your keyboard or digital piano on your computer, iPad or iPhone. This is a complete step-by-step guide to the kit you need and how to connect it so you can make a great, high quality recording of yourself playing digital piano or keyboard. Perfect if you want to add keyboard tracks to your recordings, or to listen back to yourself (one of the best ways of making progress if you want to learn to play piano).

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[TL/DR] Our Favourite Interfaces For Recording Your Keyboard

iRig Pro Duo Recording Interface

  • Completely cross-platform interface for Mac/PC, iPhone, iPad, or Android device
  • Audio AND MIDI Recording
  • Software For All Platforms Included

Presonus Audiobox iTwo Audio

  • Multi-platform: PC, Mac and iPad
  • Audio AND MIDI on one interface
  • Recording software included

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB Audio Interface

  • Perennial best-selling audio interface
  • Most suitable for Mac and Windows (can be used with iPad or iPhone if you also purchase the Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter)
  • Consistently well-reviewed

Behringer UCA222 U-Control

  • Cheap and cheerful
  • Works on PC, Mac, Raspberry Pi and Linux – no drivers required
  • Massive Software Bundle. Good Value if you just want to record keyboard (no mic inputs)

MIDI or Audio Recording?

First, let’s get a common confusion out of the way. Many people get confused about the difference between making a MIDI connection from their keyboard and actually recording the live sound of it (audio recording).

If you want to record the sound of your keyboard, then a MIDI connection will not do the job. A MIDI interface will only transmit your performance data (i.e. which notes you have played, how loudly you played them etc). This MIDI information can be used to play software instruments on your computer. But it is not a recording of the sound!

Wanna do both? No problem. If your keyboard already has the USB-MIDI connection then you can already record MIDI. So all you need is an interface to record the sound. If your keyboard does not have USB MIDI, but has standard MIDI ports, then choose an interface with MIDI and Audio (see the iRig Pro Duo or the Audiobox iTwo above). That way you can do MIDI AND Audio.

Is it too much to ask for both? No. Refer to our complete step-by step guide on how to record audio and MIDI at the same time.

Remember! Your USB To Host Will NOT Record The Sound!

And one more thing. If you can connect your piano or keyboard to your computer via a USB lead then in most cases this will only by a MIDI connection. To record the sound you will need to follow our steps below.

Still confused about the difference between MIDI and Audio recording? Here is a short video that hopefully shows you the difference!

If after that you realise you want to make a MIDI recording then read our other post on how to make a MIDI connection from your piano or keyboard. Or if you are still raring to go, then here is our simple step-by-step method to how your record your live performance! And if you are itching to know more about MIDI then this post will help.

Here’s how to record the audio signal from your keyboard/piano in a nutshell. You connect the line output signal from your keyboard or piano to a suitable audio interface. Then connect the interface to your laptop, computer, iPad, smartphone or iPhone. Finally listen to the results … using headphones or studio monitors.

Simple!

Let’s go through the step-by-step process of getting it right.

Step 1: Check Where The Sound Is Coming FROM

Your digital piano, electronic keyboard or synthesizer may have speakers. But to record you need to find the line level output(s).

Check the manual/instruction booklet, or look online for the connectivity of your keyboard model. It may have something labelled ‘Aux Out’ or ‘Line Out’. This information will appear in the ‘Specs’ section. It might be labelled [L/L+R][R], or (MAIN) L/MONO, R: 1/4″ TRS Balanced.

Or, as is often the case with less expensive keyboards, it may be that the only output is actually a headphone output. That is OK. You can record from the headphone out if there is nothing else available.

Step 2: Will You Record On Computer, Laptop, iPhone or iPad? (Or All The Above!)

In step 3, you will choose the right audio interface for the job of recording your keyboard. The audio interface is simply the box you need to take the sound from your keyboard, convert it to a digital signal, and transmit it to your computer. (If you want, read more on what is an audio interface). But there is NO POINT buying an audio interface for a Laptop if you only want to record on an iPad. So think carefully where you want to make the recordings. Or for most flexibility, choose an interface that will work with more than one device.

Step 3: Choose A Suitable Audio Interface To Record The Signal

You will need some kind of audio interface to make a decent quality recording of your piano or keyboard. There are literally hundreds available, at all different prices. So here is the critical things your interface must have: 2 x line level inputs. Without line level inputs you will not be able to make a good recording of your keyboard.

While you are choosing, think what else you might want to do with the interface. Record vocals? Make sure your interface has at least one mic input (this will be an XLR input with mic pre-amp). Record guitar? To record acoustic you can use a mic. To record direct, make sure the interface has a Hi-Z input suitable for directly connecting the guitar (it will often have a picture of a guitar next to it!).

If I could count the number of messages I get asking me which cable to buy. The answer is … it depends. So do your homework. Look at the OUTPUTs of your keyboard and the INPUTs of your interface. The correct cable is simply the one (or more) that will join the two things together!

If you have L and R 1/4″ outputs and L and R 1/4″ inputs, then you need 2 x 1/4″ mono TS cables. Or if the outputs and the inputs are both BALANCED (the manual will state this) then you need 2 x 1/4″ mono TRS cables.

If you are connecting your headphone out – or your aux out is a single stereo port, then you will need a splitter cable of the right size. This will take the stereo output of the keyboard and split it into two mono channels – left and right – on your interface.

Step 5: Recording Software

Do not get too hung up about the recording software at this stage. Make sure you get the hardware right first (see steps 1-4). Chances are, the audio interface will ship with some recording software that you can use to record. OR there are plenty of free or inexpensive apps. On a Mac or Windows Laptop or computer, you can use Audacity. This is free – and excellent. And easy to use. Or on a Mac you can use Garageband. There are plenty of free or inexpensive recording apps for iPads and iPhones. Garageband is great for Apple products.

Not too pleased with the sound? Read our in-depth guide to digital audio recording. You may be making fundamental recording mistakes that can be easily corrected with a little more knowledge.

When you record through an audio interface you will usually listen to your recordings back through the interface. So you will almost certainly plug your studio headphones or monitors into the headphone or audio outputs of the interface. The exception would be if you have a recording interface that does not have outputs.

If you want to record the actual sound of your keyboard on your computer then you need to connect the line out (or headphone out if no line out) from your keyboard up to your pc, mac or ipad. The way you do this really depends on your budget.

We have divided this article into four sections:

  1. Spending the minimum: record keyboard on a tight budget
  2. A Better Solution: the entry-level USB interface for recording sound of keyboard
  3. THE Best Way To Record Keyboard: The Professional USB Audio Interface
  4. Kickstart Your Home Studio: All-In-One Recording Packs With Mics + Headphones (this is the easiest way to get started. Read our reviews of the best all-in-one studio packages. For Keyboard players we particular recommend the Presonus iTwo studio pack. Contains everything you need – except for the cables to connect your keyboard to the interface – and has MIDI i/o as well)

Once you have decided which route to go, the only other thing you will need is/are the correct audio cables to connect from your keyboard to the input of the interface (or mic port if you choose to go that route)

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Low Budget: Record The Sound Of Your Keyboard On The Cheap

This method is super cheap and cheerful … it is not my most recommended way, but if you want a quick cheap fix, then you can try this!

Up until relatively recently, most people had a computer or laptop with a separate microphone port, and it was possible to simply connect an audio cable from the audio output of the keyboard to the mic port on the computer – and if you have this port available then you will find this method documented in my complete FREE video course on how to record your keyboard.

What if you don’t have a mic port and you want to use this very cheapest method, just to get started? I suggest you buy an external sound adapter that has a separate headphone and mic port and simply connects to a USB port. These work really well on iPad too, if you have an iPad-USB adapter. Although this is not the most high quality way of recording your keyboard, it is definitely the cheapest. If you want to see a demo, then watch this quick video which shows you how to record your keyboard through a simple external sound adapter.
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Mac

Better: Entry Level Dedicated Recording Interface For Keyboards

ForWhat if you are looking for a cost effective and reasonable quality solution, and want to spend just a little bit more? Then for a small investment you could purchase the Behringer U-Control, with appropriate connection cable for your keyboard. The U-Control will connect your keyboard straight to your USB port, bypassing your existing soundcard and outputs studio quality stereo, 16-bit, 48 kHz digital audio. All you need is the correct cable(s) for your keyboard. This may be 2 x jack to RCA, or a Y-Cable depending on your keyboard. And again this will also work on an iPad with the appropriate iPad-USB adapter.

The disadvantage . you can only use it to record the sound of your keyboard, or other line out instruments. Nothing more. So it does one job well. But if you are looking for a more complete home recording studio set-up then read on …

Best: Getting A High Quality Professional Recording Result With An Audio Interface

To get the best recording quality recording result, invest in a professional audio interface – and if you don’t know what that is then we have written a complete beginners guide on what is an audio interface. Choose one with line inputs. Then pick the appropriate cables to link from the audio output of your keyboard to the inputs of the interface. Choose a good brand like Focusrite or Presonus. They may cost a little more but will give you a good quality recording result.

At the entry level, my personal favourite audio interface for recording your digital piano or keyboard is the Presonus iTwo Audio Interface which you can buy here on Amazon. Why that one? It is well priced and is the only one at this price point that also has MIDI i/o as well as dual audio inputs. So you can record the sound of your keyboard, but you can also make a MIDI connection. And it is cross platform.

Focusrite, M-Audio and Presonus also make fantastic all-in-one recording bundles which are fantastic if you want a complete solution with mic, interface and software (scroll on down to see them …)

If you go to the complete video course on how to record your keyboard, then look at the videos which show you how to record using a professional audio interface. This is my preferred method and will definitely give you the best result. You can view the specific videos which show you exactly how to record your keyboard with a professional interface by watching the videos below, that I have put together in a playlist:

The Total Set-Up: All-In-One Home Recording Studio Packages

Buying an all-in-one home recording studio package can be a great way to record your keyboard on your computer, and have the option of recording vocals and maybe guitar. Most of the good manufacturers put together packs that contain an audio interface, microphone and headphones all in one box. The benefits of this are: it will usually work out cheaper than buying the items separately; you know the separate items will be compatible with each other and there will be one set of instructions to follow; they all come with good software packages as well. Here are a few recommendations – all perfect for recording your keyboard then layering your vocals on top. Also good for guitars and other instruments. .

* Perennial Favourite *


Focusrite Scarlett Studio USB Audio Interface Recording Package

* Our Top Choice For Keyboard Players and For iPad Recording *


Presonus iTwo Studio Audio Interface Recording Bundle

* Good Value Package To Record Vocals As Well As Keyboard *


M-Audio Vocal Studio PRO Complete Vocal Studio Package

Midi Keyboard For Macbook Pro

* Perfect For iOS and Android Recording as well as Mac/PC *


IK Multimedia iRig Pro Duo Studio Suite

Connect Midi Keyboard To Computer

This is a really brief intro to the world of Recording – if you want to know more, then there is a fantastic guide to computer music making written by Cakewalk, The Desktop Music Handbook – which covers MIDI in depth, and also features a great guide to Digital Audio.

Midi Keyboard Controller For Mac

And once more, do check out my complete step-by-step video guides to recording your digital piano or keyboard. I cover audio and MIDI recording, plus how to sync your playing to video if you want to upload stuff to YouTube!