MIDI cable length (max?)

[Flux]

Anyone experiment with maximum MIDI cable run lengths? I'm thinking of setting up my keyboard in another room and this could result in a cable run(s) of up to 50'. Wondering if it will cause problems....?

[Halion]

Yes, I think this will most likely be too much. M-Audio has a wireless midi thing that might be what you need.

[altitude909]

I use 25' midi cables regularly but i think 50' is pushing it

[blueroommusic]

it is said that 50' is the MAX...so, I would avoid it if at all possible

[Flux]

Thanks guys. Wireless MIDI sounds cool, I'm gonna check that out. Got my tape measure out and it looks like 30' is about as mean as I can get (it's only slightly more than 25'....) The other option is to run FireWire instead - anyone know how far this type of cable can run?

[metal_god69]

there will be no 30ft firewire cables iknow that much, i use about a 6ft'r and all i think i saw was an 8 or 10, cant remeber which...so i dont think firewire is the answer for u....that wireless MIDI sounds pretty sweet

[TragikRemix]

yeah, firewire is at most i think 4 meters, which is like 12 feet, and thats rare as hell.

maybe USB would be ok, like a powered port that you could plug into an outlet. theres plenty of MIDI-USB thingys out there.

[carelessorc]

You used to be able to buy MIDI boxes which basically amplified or boosted the MIDI signal specifically for long cable runs. Philip Rees used to make one, but I don't know if they still do, and I never used one, but if you can locate one, it would solve your problem.

Orc

[TexRoadkill]

Get high quality cables and you might be okay.