Applies to any Focusrite Audio interface with a 5-pin MIDI port

Some of our interfaces have 5-pin MIDI inputs and outputs that you can use to send and receive MIDI data. If you have a MIDI keyboard that does not have a USB output, you can connect it to the interface using a 5-pin MIDI cable. Or if you programmed some MIDI notes in some software on your computer, you can send that out to a keyboard/synthesizer/sound module to play its sounds, via the interface.

An example of what a 5-pin MIDI cable looks like is below:

Sending MIDI data to computer

To send MIDI data from your external MIDI device into your computer, connect the MIDI OUT of the device to the MIDI IN of your interface. 

In your DAW, create a MIDI track or software instrument track and set the MIDI channel to 'All Channels' or whichever designated MIDI channel you are using.

Most MIDI devices have the ability to send MIDI data on up to 16 channels along a single cable, but this is only really necessary if you're using several MIDI devices. If you're not sure, select All Channels.

For more information about MIDI channels, see here:

Sweetwater | What is a 'MIDI Channel'?

Sending MIDI data from DAW out to MIDI device

To send MIDI data from your DAW out to a MIDI device using a Focusrite interface, connect the 5-pin DIN MIDI cable from the MIDI OUT of the interface to the MIDI IN of the MIDI device.

In your DAW, create a MIDI track or software instrument track and set the MIDI output to the 'All Channels' or whichever designated MIDI channel you are using.

Example Setups

1. Open Ableton Live on your computer and select a MIDI track.
2. In the MIDI From drop down menu set the MIDI channel to All Channels or the MIDI channel your device is using to receive MIDI from this device.

3. In the MIDI To drop down menu, set the MIDI channel to All Channels or the MIDI channel your device is using to send MIDI to an external device.

1. Open Logic Pro on your computer and select a MIDI track.
2. In the Track Inspector, set the MIDI Input to the Focusrite interface you are using and set the MIDI In Channel to All or the MIDI channel your device is using to receive MIDI from this device.

3. Create an External MIDI track and in the External plugin, set the MIDI Destiniation to the Focusrite interface you are using and set the MIDI Channel to All or the MIDI channel your device is using to receive MIDI from this device.

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