MIDI Cables or MIDI Interface?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Phreesoal
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Phreesoal

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Ok, it's time to bring my Roland JD-800 board outta the dark! ;)

Since I have a Soundblaster Live MP3 card with a Joystick/MIDI port, I thought to just buy a MIDI Adapter Cable to connect the keyboard to my PC soundcard. This is quick, cheap and dirty I suppose...

However, I want to ask:

  • [*]What's the downside to using just a MIDI adapter cable connected to my SB Live card?

    [*]Is it more advantageous for me to get an inexpensive MIDI interface, like a USB Midisport Uno (or USB Midisport 2x2)?
    Am I gaining anything more from a sonic perspective by using a MIDI interface vs. just MIDI cables connected to my soundcard?


Thankz!

Phree
 
I don't know if there is a downside.

No real advantage that I know of with getting a 1-in, 1-out MIDI interface. A 2-in, 2-out, of course, gives you 32 MIDI channels to use rather than 16.

Since the MIDI data is merely descriptive data, not sound, there is no sonic difference using one or the other, except that if you are getting 32 separate parts going instead of 16, it might sound better -- then again, it might sound worse, depending on what the music is and how you've orchestrated it.
 
AC,

Thanks for the quick feedback!

What I'll do then is get a hold of MIDI cables at this point and when necessary, go into a MIDI interface.

Do you have any recommendations on cable brands?

Phree
 
Phreesoal said:
  • What's the downside to using just a MIDI adapter cable connected to my SB Live card?
  • Is it more advantageous for me to get an inexpensive MIDI interface, like a USB Midisport Uno (or USB Midisport 2x2)?
    Am I gaining anything more from a sonic perspective by using a MIDI interface vs. just MIDI cables connected to my soundcard?
Click to expand...

No downside. They work just fine. Not in sonic perspective either. Anyway, you need special MIDI breakout box. It's hooked in your joystick port, and has it's own 2 cables (IN & OUT) attached for about 2 feet. So you won't need any cable anymore. Check your local PC/Multimedia dealer for sure. Make sure it's cheap ( vary, but ~ less than $15).
 
Thanks James!

I got my Midiman MIDI adapter cable just this afternoon but it's not long enough to reach my keyboard from my soundcard. It's about 4 ft but I need about 6 ft.

Is it okay for me to buy two standard MIDI cables to plug from the MIDI ends on the adapter to the keyboard? Will this result in any loss of MIDI data going from the board to the soundcard?

Thanks again...

Phree
 
Is it okay for me to buy two standard MIDI cables to plug from the MIDI ends on the adapter to the keyboard?
Click to expand...
Yes. There should be no signal loss.
:cool:
 
Great, thanks again Duck!

Although, now I'm thinking of getting a MIDI USB device and perhaps switching over to the Mac side to record.

Decisions, decisions! :)

Phree
 
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