Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) allows keyboards, synthesizers, drum machines and samples to communicate with computer software for recording and editing music. The majority of all synthesizers include MIDI and can connect to a computer through use of a USB connector.
Instructions
1. Check your notebook PC's sound card to make sure it's compatible with your synthesizer. Check your synthesizer's manual for MIDI sound card requirements. The sample rates typically will need to be 48kHz, and the Creative Sound Blaster PCI 16 should be an acceptable sound card (see References).
2. Find a USB connecter for the MIDI interface. These are sometimes packaged with the synthesizers, but may also need to be purchased separately. For example, the UX16 USB-MIDI interface can be used with Yamaha synthesizers (see Resources).
3. Download the required driver for the MIDI interface on your notebook PC. There should be a disk or link included with your USB connector to install the driver on your PC.
4. Turn on your synthesizer and computer. Set the host select option on your synthesizer to "MIDI."
5. Connect the MIDI IN plug of the USB connector to the MIDI OUT plug-in on the synthesizer. Connect the MIDI OUT plug of the USB connector to the MIDI IN plug-in on the synthesizer. Plug the USB plug of the connector into a USB input on your notebook PC.
