Applies to: any interfaces with a 5-pin MIDI input and output
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'?
Ableton Live:
Logic X:
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.
Ableton Live
Logic X
If this article hasn't helped you, please feel free to search again at the top of this page or, to contact support, please click here.