All you need to know about MIDI, USB hosts and USB devices
USB-MIDI and Traditional DIN MIDI function in similar ways, although there are some things that confuse a lot of people.
Getting a hardware setup up and running can be particularly daunting for beginners, especially nowadays when we have such a variety of different transfer methods. In previous years, it may have been easier with traditional DIN MIDI, as any MIDI compatible device can connect directly to another MIDI compatible device. USB devices have made life a lot easier for computer-based music creators, however things can get confusing when trying to connect a USB device directly to a traditional DIN MIDI device. Here is everything you need to know about connecting MIDI, USB hosts and USB devices…
Traditional DIN MIDI
What is it:
Traditional MIDI is easy to set up, simply plug a 5-pin DIN cable from the output of a controller to the input of a synth, for example. The MIDI protocol allows you to “daisy-chain” multiple device and set each one to listen on one of 16 MIDI channels, thus gaining individual control of each of the chained devices, from any device further up in the chain.
Pros:
- Much longer cable length compared to USB
- Daisy-chaining
Cons:
- One-way cables (You need 2 cables for in and out)
- Difficult to configure traditional MIDI controllers
Connectivity:
Absolutely any device with DIN MIDI can connect to another device with DIN MIDI, as long as you’re going from input to output. Unfortunately, computers don’t have traditional MIDI ports, so for computer-based setups a MIDI interface is essential.
USB Device
What is it:
USB Devices are generally your MIDI controllers, drum pads and audio interfaces. Some sequencers and hardware synths do function as USB devices to make connecting to a computer much easier.
Pros:
- Can connect directly to computer without the need for a MIDI interface
- Much easier configuration using USB devices oppose to MIDI
Cons:
- Can only connect to a single USB Host
- USB has very limited cable run
Connectivity:
A USB device such as the more modern USB MIDI Controllers can’t connect directly to MIDI through an interface. USB Devices need a USB host to decode the information from the device.
USB Host
What is it:
A USB Host is typically a computer, some hardware sequencers or standalone USB / MIDI hosts. A USB host is absolutely essential for connecting a USB Device directly to MIDI devices.
Pros:
- Can connect and route multiple devices
- Can send and receive information
Cons:
- USB has very limited cable run
- Limited to the amount of USB ports
Connectivity:
A USB host allows you to connect a USB device to a traditional DIN MIDI synth or drum machine. Some standalone sequencers and USB/MIDI hosts such as the BomeBox have MIDI inputs and outputs, otherwise a USB Host does support a MIDI-USB adapter for computer and other setups.
What does this all mean?
A large number of modern USB MIDI controllers don’t have traditional MIDI output, while most synths won’t have USB host capabilities. That means you generally have to run a USB MIDI controller through a computer and then route it out to a synth. However, the standalone USB / MIDI host would allow you to go DAW-less with your modern USB MIDI / synth setup.
I got the idea for this article after watching Loopop’s YouTube video covering the topic, he goes a lot more in-depth and has a bunch of extra cool tips and tricks.
[youtube_sc url=”https://youtu.be/neXswJJcatc”]
