Midi Into Mac, question Options

[Eddie5bellies]

Hi there,
Just bought a mac g5. Was wondering do I need any sort of midi interface in order to plug my midi keyboard in ? Or can I just get a midi to usb cable an pl;ug it straight in the back.
Thanks
Ed

[jce44]

Hi. I'm new to this post and digital recording, but I've researched a lot!. If your keyboard came with a USB connector, then you can use that cable to get the digital signal to your Mac G5. I've searched everywhere for a midi to USB cable and they just don't make tham anymore. (Used to though?)

The USB ports on your Mac G5 should be 2.0 capability. If your keyboard (again) has a USB connector, it might be USB 1.0. That's a lot slower cabability than the USB 2.0 port, but it will still work? Whether or not your MAC G5 will see and recognize your keyboard after connecting it is something else...

There are also many interfaces (connection boxes) that will allow you to connect a midi cable fom your keyboard to the interface and then connect the interface to your G5. Some of the brand new types will have the USB 2.0 format, with more models coming out later this year. Some interfaces hook up to your computer with FireWire. These interfaces come with their own software.

I don't know about the music software that came with your G5 or what you've added, but there's many different software programs that will take the midi (digital) signal and turn it into digital music.

Harmony Assistant is one. Free trial, unlimited time, but th trial version limits some capabilities. I like it, bought it years ago.

http://www.myriad-online.com/en/docs/harmonydesc.htm
"Real-time MIDI input-
If you own a MIDI keyboard, you can perform real-time MIDI input. Above this, because Harmony Assistant also manages digital tracks, you can record at the same time a digital audio track. You can then record your voice with the microphone while you play on keyboard."