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Connecting your MIDI keyboard to your MAC can be slightly confusing when you’re new to keyboards. There are going to be a couple of different ways to accomplish this and I also want to touch on what you need to create sound once connected. Connecting your MIDI keyboard to a laptop is going to be the easy part; getting sound is going to be a little bit more difficult, but still easy.
Contents
Midi Control is the best midi controller for Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 10. It provides different types of controls to give you full control over your DAW, in the palm of your hand: - 5 X/Y pads - Mixer with pan, mute and solo - 27 sliders - 16 pads - DJ mixer with volume, EQ hi/mid/low, crossfader and Play/Cue switches - Keyboard with velocity sensitivity All controls are customizable to.
1) USB Cable
- MIDI Mapping Process. Gatekeeper - What you need to know when installing new Apps on Mac OS X 10.8, 10.9, 10.10 and up Numark NS6 - Driver Installation.
- Download this app from Microsoft Store for Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows 10 Team (Surface Hub). See screenshots, read the latest customer reviews, and compare ratings for MIDI.
You will want to get a USB cable from a local music store or on Amazon if you don’t already have one.
They are typically cheap and you don’t need to spend a ton on one. Private browser mac app. Located your the USB port on your Macbook and connect the bigger side of your cable to it.
If you’re connecting to a computer, you do the same process. Find the USB port on your tower and plug it in accordingly.
Mac Midi Player
When doing this you will want to plug the smaller side into the back of your MIDI keyboard. You should see your keyboard light up and turn on when doing this.
Make sure that your laptop is turned on and also plugged into a charger. I like to have mine plugged into a charger only to save the battery.
Once you do this, you will be fully connected to your laptop; now let’s talk about connecting to a DAW.
Are you looking for a stand for your laptop? Here are my favorite laptop stands for keyboard players.
Connecting MIDI Keyboard With A DAW
Connecting to your DAW might be a little more confusing, especially if you don’t know what a DAW is. Essentially, your DAW is going to be what allows you to play music with your MIDI controller.
An example of a DAW is GarageBand, which is on every single Macbook that you can purchase.
For example, let’s take Ableton Live. Connect your keyboard to your laptop the same way we discussed. Now, open up Ableton Live. You should immediately see a connection with your MIDI controller.
Now, go to preferences in Ableton Live and click the audio. Make sure the audio is correct with your speakers on your laptop.
Here is a really helpful video:
Connecting With Bluetooth
This is a very similar process, only you don’t need a USB cable. Make sure your laptop has Bluetooth turned on and then search to connect with your keyboard. If you can’t immediately find it, make sure you check your MIDI keyboard manual as this will show you any further instructions you may need for a specific keyboard.
If you have a Bluetooth controller, check out my guide to them here.
Conclusion
Free Midi Apps
I hope this guide was helpful. Now that you know how to connect; I hope you have an amazing time playing with your MIDI controller.
Did you find this helpful? If so, leave a comment below!
Midi Mac Download
Software | Description | OS | License | File Date | Comments | Power |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Voice To Instrument 1.0 | Convert your voice into a musical instrument. [VST] | Windows | Free | 2011-02-22 | 7 | 75db |
XG On Stage | Free PC midi software dedicated to the live performance | Windows | Freeware | 2003-03-18 | 2 | 75db |
f.ctrl beta 1c | MIDI controller. | Windows | Free | 2007-10-07 | 0 | 70db |
Proxima Controller v1.0 | Keyboard and mouse-based MIDI controller. | Windows | Freeware | 2006-12-01 | 1 | 65db |
ReMiCt - Remote MIDI Controller | It is a collaborative tool to control MIDI instruments from browsers. | Windows | Freeware | 2014-02-19 | 0 | 65db |
Realtime Style Performer | Real-time PC performer for Yamaha PSR styles | Windows | Demo | 0 | 65db | |
Samchillian Tip Tip Tip Cheeepeeeee 1.0b | Keyboard MIDI controller. | Windows | Freeware | 2004-12-01 | 1 | 65db |
MU MIDI Controller v2.6 | Software-based MIDI Controller. | Mac | Demo | 2006-02-21 | 0 | 65db |
HyperSID v1.2 | Realtime MIDI synth editor. [VST] | Windows | Free | 2009-07-03 | 0 | 60db |
MIDI-Master 2.5 Masterkeyboard Controller Software | MIDI Masterkeyboard Controller Software | Windows | Demo | 2013-09-16 | 8 | 60db |
Edrum Monitor v2.0 | Drum module MIDI control. | Windows | Freeware | 2007-08-23 | 3 | 60db |
MIDIm8 | A live performance controller acting as a bridge between a keyboard and upto 8 MIDI devices | Windows | Demo | 2013-02-05 | 0 | 60db |
SendSX v1.22 | Sys-Ex test tool | Windows | Freeware | 2005-01-20 | 2 | 60db |
Bome's Mouse Keyboard v2.00 | Use your mouse and the computer keyboard as a music keyboard. | Windows | Demo | 2007-06-10 | 27 | 60db |
General MIDI Player | This software will let you turn your Mac into a virtual General MIDI instrument. | Mac | Paid | 2012-02-20 | 0 | 60db |
Jam | Xview program to connect GUS to MIDI keyboard | Linux | Freeware | 1996-05-04 | 2 | 60db |
Phasex 0.14.97 | Phasex is a software synthesizer and MIDI controller designed for Linux | Linux | Freeware | 2013-01-15 | 0 | 60db |
MIDKontrol | Send MIDI controllers for MIDI synths or MIDI gears | Mac | Shareware | 0 | 60db | |
Circuit v1.0 | Creates rhythms by joining short phrases together. [VST] | Windows | Freeware | 2008-02-10 | 0 | 55db |
DJ Control 2.1 | Wireless DJ MIDI controller for your favorite computer DJing application to use as an alternative to a cheap DJ Controller. | Android | Freeware | 2012-08-27 | 1 | 55db |
Touchpad 2 MIDI v1.1 | Plug-in that allows you to use the Synaptics touchpad on your laptop as a MIDI controller. [VST] | Windows | Freeware | 2006-03-12 | 0 | 55db |
MIJOY Pro v4.0 | Allows you to use a joystick or gamepad as a MIDI controller. [VST] | Windows | Demo | 2010-04-07 | 1 | 55db |
midimouse v0.2 | Small, simple program, which sends MIDI controller signals (CC) based on mouse movements. | Mac | Freeware | 2005-03-15 | 0 | 55db |
Alchemy Mobile v2.2.12 | Alchemy Mobile is a software synthesizer for iPhone and iPad. | iPhone | Freeware | 2014-03-25 | 0 | 55db |
TheBat | Surround MIDI levels panning in real time. | Windows | Freeware | 2002-02-02 | 0 | 55db |
Solo Performer Show Controller v4.5.1 | Show control system controls background audio, lyric displays, MIDI, and lights. | Mac | Demo | 2010-06-03 | 0 | 55db |
Miniak-editor v1.8 | This is a software for advanced controlling with the Akai Miniak in your DAW. [VST]. Mac delete dropbox app. | Mac | Demo | 2012-04-25 | 0 | 55db |
iFretless Bass 1.3 | iFretless Bass is a virtual bass application for iPad / iPhone / iPod touch. | iPhone | Paid | 2012-06-25 | 0 | 55db |
Mackie Master Fader 1.3 | Mackie Fader App is the accompanying iPad controller app for the Mackie DL1608 Digital Mixer. | iPhone | Freeware | 2013-02-18 | 0 | 55db |
MIDI Program Change Manager | A nice tool if you have to control more than 2 sound units What torrent app is best for mac. | Windows | Demo | 1999-11-27 | 4 | 55db |