• archaeology! MIDI keyboard with joystick interface?

    From J. P. Gilliver (John)@21:1/5 to All on Thu Oct 24 23:54:55 2019
    XPost: alt.windows7.general, microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

    (I'm using Windows 7, but have included the other two 'groups for
    reasons that will become evident!)

    I was explaining about MIDI (musical) keyboards to a friend, when I
    remembered I had one, that I'd hardly used. I dug it out - it's still in
    its box, even with its original plastic bag - 3 octaves, mini size keys. "evolution MUSIC WIZARD".

    However: it has a 15-pin male connector on the end of a lead coming out
    of it!

    Looking into things, it would appear that that originally connected to
    the joystick port on a soundcard.

    I've had a look around, and I can't find anything to connect this to
    USB. I've found gameport to MIDI - those seem to consist of four
    connectors: a male 15 way and a female 15 way, and two five-pin male DIN
    plugs (the sort that was originally used for [mostly Philips] audio
    equipment in the 1970s, and early PC keyboards). I _think_ these are
    just passive cables - no electronics. I've also found USB to MIDI -
    these I think _do_ have electronics in them; they mostly also end in two
    male DIN plugs (the electronics in a little lump in the cable), but one
    or two are a little box with a couple of female DIN sockets.

    If I have to go that way, can I talk to it by using one of each of these
    - or, does anyone know of a single adapter (that has 15-way female to
    USB)?

    Looking at the excellent http://www.hardwarebook.info/, it looks as if
    MIDI (http://www.hardwarebook.info/MIDI) is just two wires - a current
    source and a current sink - plus a shield. http://www.hardwarebook.info/PC_Gameport_with_MIDI seems to support
    that.

    And before anyone says - yes, I know I could probably get a second-hand
    USB MIDI keyboard for less than the price of the two adapters! But I
    like a challenge.

    And, whether I get the old keyboard working or buy a new [or
    second-hand] one, (a) will I need drivers for a MIDI keyboard, or does
    Windows 7 know about such things intrinsically, and (b) any suggestions
    for good free MIDI editing/recording software? I rather suspect the
    software that's with the keyboard won't work with Windows 7, as it says
    I need at least Windows 3.1 (-:
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    ... and how lovely, warm, funny, and just all-round Victoria Woodish she was.
    - Richard Osman on Victoria Wood, RT 2017/4/8-14
    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Paul@21:1/5 to All on Thu Oct 24 19:39:04 2019
    XPost: alt.windows7.general, microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

    J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
    (I'm using Windows 7, but have included the other two 'groups for
    reasons that will become evident!)

    I was explaining about MIDI (musical) keyboards to a friend, when I remembered I had one, that I'd hardly used. I dug it out - it's still in
    its box, even with its original plastic bag - 3 octaves, mini size keys. "evolution MUSIC WIZARD".

    However: it has a 15-pin male connector on the end of a lead coming out
    of it!

    Looking into things, it would appear that that originally connected to
    the joystick port on a soundcard.

    I've had a look around, and I can't find anything to connect this to
    USB. I've found gameport to MIDI - those seem to consist of four
    connectors: a male 15 way and a female 15 way, and two five-pin male DIN plugs (the sort that was originally used for [mostly Philips] audio
    equipment in the 1970s, and early PC keyboards). I _think_ these are
    just passive cables - no electronics. I've also found USB to MIDI -
    these I think _do_ have electronics in them; they mostly also end in two
    male DIN plugs (the electronics in a little lump in the cable), but one
    or two are a little box with a couple of female DIN sockets.

    If I have to go that way, can I talk to it by using one of each of these
    - or, does anyone know of a single adapter (that has 15-way female to USB)?

    Looking at the excellent http://www.hardwarebook.info/, it looks as if
    MIDI (http://www.hardwarebook.info/MIDI) is just two wires - a current
    source and a current sink - plus a shield. http://www.hardwarebook.info/PC_Gameport_with_MIDI seems to support that.

    And before anyone says - yes, I know I could probably get a second-hand
    USB MIDI keyboard for less than the price of the two adapters! But I
    like a challenge.

    And, whether I get the old keyboard working or buy a new [or
    second-hand] one, (a) will I need drivers for a MIDI keyboard, or does Windows 7 know about such things intrinsically, and (b) any suggestions
    for good free MIDI editing/recording software? I rather suspect the
    software that's with the keyboard won't work with Windows 7, as it says
    I need at least Windows 3.1 (-:

    This shows an example of buffering (with the 74LS00 uses as a driver to
    drive the 220 ohm resistor). And there is an optoisolator on the Midi-In
    side. Implying that perhaps someone is concerned about ground differences
    in the equipment, eroding the TTL noise margins if the opto wasn't there.

    http://midi.teragonaudio.com/hardware/pc_intfc.htm

    In this example, they show a TTL-level serial port running at 31250 bps.

    https://www.compuphase.com/electronics/midi_rs232.htm

    So a USB to serial port, with the level shifter removed, would
    be base materials. You can get USB to TX/RX/GND for wiring up
    to smartphones, as an example. The article warns though, that
    not all serial ports can be programmed for 31250. Maybe 38400
    would be the closest baud rate. They mention some FTDI chip
    as being a candidate. You would then search Ebay for a serial
    port with TTL levels, based on that FTDI chip. Such an adapter
    comes with a cable, with three wires with the ends stripped,
    for "soldering to circuits". Typically, people use such adapters
    for tapping into the serial port on a router board, or the serial
    port on a hard drive controller board (pins on the outside, in
    the jumper block, do serial!).

    The remaining part then would be, how do you convince a serial
    driver, to be adopted as MIDI I/O. Not a clue...

    At least you're going to have a hobby... or a research project...

    Paul
    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From JT@21:1/5 to All on Fri Oct 25 00:43:43 2019
    XPost: alt.windows7.general, microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

    J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:

    (I'm using Windows 7, but have included the other two 'groups for
    reasons that will become evident!)

    I was explaining about MIDI (musical) keyboards to a friend, when I remembered I had one, that I'd hardly used. I dug it out - it's still
    in its box, even with its original plastic bag - 3 octaves, mini size
    keys. "evolution MUSIC WIZARD".

    However: it has a 15-pin male connector on the end of a lead coming
    out of it!

    Looking into things, it would appear that that originally connected
    to the joystick port on a soundcard.

    I've had a look around, and I can't find anything to connect this to
    USB. I've found gameport to MIDI - those seem to consist of four
    connectors: a male 15 way and a female 15 way, and two five-pin male
    DIN plugs (the sort that was originally used for [mostly Philips]
    audio equipment in the 1970s, and early PC keyboards). I think these
    are just passive cables - no electronics. I've also found USB to MIDI
    - these I think do have electronics in them; they mostly also end in
    two male DIN plugs (the electronics in a little lump in the cable),
    but one or two are a little box with a couple of female DIN sockets.

    If I have to go that way, can I talk to it by using one of each of
    these - or, does anyone know of a single adapter (that has 15-way
    female to USB)?

    Looking at the excellent http://www.hardwarebook.info/, it looks as
    if MIDI (http://www.hardwarebook.info/MIDI) is just two wires - a
    current source and a current sink - plus a shield. http://www.hardwarebook.info/PC_Gameport_with_MIDI seems to support
    that.

    And before anyone says - yes, I know I could probably get a
    second-hand USB MIDI keyboard for less than the price of the two
    adapters! But I like a challenge.

    And, whether I get the old keyboard working or buy a new [or
    second-hand] one, (a) will I need drivers for a MIDI keyboard, or
    does Windows 7 know about such things intrinsically, and (b) any
    suggestions for good free MIDI editing/recording software? I rather
    suspect the software that's with the keyboard won't work with Windows
    7, as it says I need at least Windows 3.1 (-:

    J.P.,

    Would this work?

    https://www.amazon.com/ECS-Game-Port-USB-Adapter/dp/B00W8HBHMS/ref=sr_1_ 3?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwumwo5a25QIVCINaBR1fUQ6UEAAYASAAEgLCVvD_BwE&hvadid=2 67941478646&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9001907&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1 7136028370566942027&hvtargid=kwd-337892880655&hydadcr=19162_9664533&keyw ords=15+pin+joystick+to+usb+adapter&qid=1571964068&sr=8-3

    JT

    --
    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From J. P. Gilliver (John)@21:1/5 to All on Fri Oct 25 03:31:13 2019
    XPost: alt.windows7.general, microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

    In message <qotgfv$q0j$1@gioia.aioe.org>, JT <JT@spam-me-not.invalid>
    writes:
    J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:

    (I'm using Windows 7, but have included the other two 'groups for
    reasons that will become evident!)
    []
    Looking into things, it would appear that that originally connected
    to the joystick port on a soundcard.
    []
    If I have to go that way, can I talk to it by using one of each of
    these - or, does anyone know of a single adapter (that has 15-way
    female to USB)?

    Looking at the excellent http://www.hardwarebook.info/, it looks as
    if MIDI (http://www.hardwarebook.info/MIDI) is just two wires - a
    current source and a current sink - plus a shield.
    http://www.hardwarebook.info/PC_Gameport_with_MIDI seems to support
    that.
    []
    J.P.,

    Would this work?

    https://www.amazon.com/ECS-Game-Port-USB-Adapter/dp/B00W8HBHMS/ref=sr_1_ >3?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwumwo5a25QIVCINaBR1fUQ6UEAAYASAAEgLCVvD_BwE&hvadid=2 >67941478646&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9001907&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1 >7136028370566942027&hvtargid=kwd-337892880655&hydadcr=19162_9664533&keyw >ords=15+pin+joystick+to+usb+adapter&qid=1571964068&sr=8-3

    JT

    (Only the first line was highlighted as a link in my newsreader, but it
    worked anyway.)

    Thanks, but as there's no mention of MIDI in the listing, I fear that
    may be http://www.hardwarebook.info/PC_Gameport rather than http://www.hardwarebook.info/PC_Gameport_with_MIDI (you'll see pins 12
    and 15 are different on the two).

    I rather fear I'd need Paul's circuitry. Which may be what's in some of
    the boxes I've seen that have DIN sockets, which I'd then use with one
    of the passive adapter cables (or make that myself).
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    I don't like that word [atheist]; it implies that there's a god not to believe in - Eric Idle, quoted in RT 2016/12/10-16
    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Roger Mills@21:1/5 to All on Sat Oct 26 20:12:37 2019
    XPost: alt.windows7.general, microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

    On 24/10/2019 23:54, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
    (I'm using Windows 7, but have included the other two 'groups for
    reasons that will become evident!)

    I was explaining about MIDI (musical) keyboards to a friend, when I remembered I had one, that I'd hardly used. I dug it out - it's still in
    its box, even with its original plastic bag - 3 octaves, mini size keys. "evolution MUSIC WIZARD".

    However: it has a 15-pin male connector on the end of a lead coming out
    of it!

    Looking into things, it would appear that that originally connected to
    the joystick port on a soundcard.

    I've had a look around, and I can't find anything to connect this to
    USB. I've found gameport to MIDI - those seem to consist of four
    connectors: a male 15 way and a female 15 way, and two five-pin male DIN plugs (the sort that was originally used for [mostly Philips] audio
    equipment in the 1970s, and early PC keyboards). I _think_ these are
    just passive cables - no electronics. I've also found USB to MIDI -
    these I think _do_ have electronics in them; they mostly also end in two
    male DIN plugs (the electronics in a little lump in the cable), but one
    or two are a little box with a couple of female DIN sockets.

    If I have to go that way, can I talk to it by using one of each of these
    - or, does anyone know of a single adapter (that has 15-way female to USB)?

    Looking at the excellent http://www.hardwarebook.info/, it looks as if
    MIDI (http://www.hardwarebook.info/MIDI) is just two wires - a current
    source and a current sink - plus a shield. http://www.hardwarebook.info/PC_Gameport_with_MIDI seems to support that.

    And before anyone says - yes, I know I could probably get a second-hand
    USB MIDI keyboard for less than the price of the two adapters! But I
    like a challenge.

    And, whether I get the old keyboard working or buy a new [or
    second-hand] one, (a) will I need drivers for a MIDI keyboard, or does Windows 7 know about such things intrinsically, and (b) any suggestions
    for good free MIDI editing/recording software? I rather suspect the
    software that's with the keyboard won't work with Windows 7, as it says
    I need at least Windows 3.1 (-:

    I assume that the keyboard itself has the usual two 5-pin 180 degree DIN sockets, and that the cable which you have has two DIN plugs at one end
    and and a 15-pin D connector at the other end?

    If so, throw that cable away and get one of these:


    https://www.amazon.co.uk/USB-MIDI-Cable-DigitalLife-Out/dp/B07TNFDH5L/ref=asc_df_B07TNFDH5L/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=375410469487&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3721761605041043990&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=
    1007064&hvtargid=pla-794854502288&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=76811915917&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=375410469487&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3721761605041043990&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007064&hvtargid=pla-794854502288

    It's Plug-n-Play and will load the necessary drivers automatically when
    you plug it in.

    You then just need some MIDI sequencing software. I'm still using an old version of Cakewalk Express which was certainly written for an earlier
    version of Windows - but works perfectly happily on W7 (32-bit or
    64-bit) [So it must be a 32-bit rather than 16-bit application, probably
    dating from W95 or 98, but not W3.1]

    If you send me a PM, I can probably fix you up with a copy.
    --
    Cheers,
    Roger
    ____________
    Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
    checked.
    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Roger Mills@21:1/5 to Paul on Sat Oct 26 21:03:56 2019
    XPost: alt.windows7.general, microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

    On 26/10/2019 20:24, Paul wrote:
    Roger Mills wrote:
    On 24/10/2019 23:54, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
    (I'm using Windows 7, but have included the other two 'groups for
    reasons that will become evident!)

    I was explaining about MIDI (musical) keyboards to a friend, when I
    remembered I had one, that I'd hardly used. I dug it out - it's still in >>> its box, even with its original plastic bag - 3 octaves, mini size keys. >>> "evolution MUSIC WIZARD".

    However: it has a 15-pin male connector on the end of a lead coming out
    of it!

    Looking into things, it would appear that that originally connected to
    the joystick port on a soundcard.

    I've had a look around, and I can't find anything to connect this to
    USB. I've found gameport to MIDI - those seem to consist of four
    connectors: a male 15 way and a female 15 way, and two five-pin male DIN >>> plugs (the sort that was originally used for [mostly Philips] audio
    equipment in the 1970s, and early PC keyboards). I _think_ these are
    just passive cables - no electronics. I've also found USB to MIDI -
    these I think _do_ have electronics in them; they mostly also end in two >>> male DIN plugs (the electronics in a little lump in the cable), but one
    or two are a little box with a couple of female DIN sockets.

    If I have to go that way, can I talk to it by using one of each of these >>> - or, does anyone know of a single adapter (that has 15-way female to
    USB)?

    Looking at the excellent http://www.hardwarebook.info/, it looks as if
    MIDI (http://www.hardwarebook.info/MIDI) is just two wires - a current
    source and a current sink - plus a shield.
    http://www.hardwarebook.info/PC_Gameport_with_MIDI seems to support
    that.

    And before anyone says - yes, I know I could probably get a second-hand
    USB MIDI keyboard for less than the price of the two adapters! But I
    like a challenge.

    And, whether I get the old keyboard working or buy a new [or
    second-hand] one, (a) will I need drivers for a MIDI keyboard, or does
    Windows 7 know about such things intrinsically, and (b) any suggestions
    for good free MIDI editing/recording software? I rather suspect the
    software that's with the keyboard won't work with Windows 7, as it says
    I need at least Windows 3.1 (-:

    I assume that the keyboard itself has the usual two 5-pin 180 degree
    DIN sockets, and that the cable which you have has two DIN plugs at
    one end and and a 15-pin D connector at the other end?

    If so, throw that cable away and get one of these:


    https://www.amazon.co.uk/USB-MIDI-Cable-DigitalLife-Out/dp/B07TNFDH5L/ref=asc_df_B07TNFDH5L/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=375410469487&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3721761605041043990&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=
    1007064&hvtargid=pla-794854502288&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=76811915917&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=375410469487&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3721761605041043990&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007064&hvtargid=pla-794854502288


    It's Plug-n-Play and will load the necessary drivers automatically
    when you plug it in.

    You then just need some MIDI sequencing software. I'm still using an
    old version of Cakewalk Express which was certainly written for an
    earlier version of Windows - but works perfectly happily on W7 (32-bit
    or 64-bit) [So it must be a 32-bit rather than 16-bit application,
    probably dating from W95 or 98, but not W3.1]

    If you send me a PM, I can probably fix you up with a copy.

    And there is a Class codepoint for MIDI on USB.

    https://usb.org/sites/default/files/midi10.pdf

    Which makes it easier for an in-box driver to work with
    such an adapter. On something like Win98 of course,
    YMMV, as there wouldn't be the wealth of Class drivers
    at that point, that there are today.

    Paul

    Indeed. I've got about 3 of these USB to MIDI adapters (not identical to
    the one I cited, but which do the same job). I bought the first one in
    Win XP times - and that came with a CD with the necessary drivers on it
    (AND some MIDI sequencing software). The more recent ones have been Plug-n-Play, and haven't needed external drivers.
    --
    Cheers,
    Roger
    ____________
    Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
    checked.
    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Paul@21:1/5 to Roger Mills on Sat Oct 26 15:24:26 2019
    XPost: alt.windows7.general, microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

    Roger Mills wrote:
    On 24/10/2019 23:54, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
    (I'm using Windows 7, but have included the other two 'groups for
    reasons that will become evident!)

    I was explaining about MIDI (musical) keyboards to a friend, when I
    remembered I had one, that I'd hardly used. I dug it out - it's still in
    its box, even with its original plastic bag - 3 octaves, mini size keys.
    "evolution MUSIC WIZARD".

    However: it has a 15-pin male connector on the end of a lead coming out
    of it!

    Looking into things, it would appear that that originally connected to
    the joystick port on a soundcard.

    I've had a look around, and I can't find anything to connect this to
    USB. I've found gameport to MIDI - those seem to consist of four
    connectors: a male 15 way and a female 15 way, and two five-pin male DIN
    plugs (the sort that was originally used for [mostly Philips] audio
    equipment in the 1970s, and early PC keyboards). I _think_ these are
    just passive cables - no electronics. I've also found USB to MIDI -
    these I think _do_ have electronics in them; they mostly also end in two
    male DIN plugs (the electronics in a little lump in the cable), but one
    or two are a little box with a couple of female DIN sockets.

    If I have to go that way, can I talk to it by using one of each of these
    - or, does anyone know of a single adapter (that has 15-way female to
    USB)?

    Looking at the excellent http://www.hardwarebook.info/, it looks as if
    MIDI (http://www.hardwarebook.info/MIDI) is just two wires - a current
    source and a current sink - plus a shield.
    http://www.hardwarebook.info/PC_Gameport_with_MIDI seems to support that.

    And before anyone says - yes, I know I could probably get a second-hand
    USB MIDI keyboard for less than the price of the two adapters! But I
    like a challenge.

    And, whether I get the old keyboard working or buy a new [or
    second-hand] one, (a) will I need drivers for a MIDI keyboard, or does
    Windows 7 know about such things intrinsically, and (b) any suggestions
    for good free MIDI editing/recording software? I rather suspect the
    software that's with the keyboard won't work with Windows 7, as it says
    I need at least Windows 3.1 (-:

    I assume that the keyboard itself has the usual two 5-pin 180 degree DIN sockets, and that the cable which you have has two DIN plugs at one end
    and and a 15-pin D connector at the other end?

    If so, throw that cable away and get one of these:


    https://www.amazon.co.uk/USB-MIDI-Cable-DigitalLife-Out/dp/B07TNFDH5L/ref=asc_df_B07TNFDH5L/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=375410469487&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3721761605041043990&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=
    1007064&hvtargid=pla-794854502288&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=76811915917&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=375410469487&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3721761605041043990&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007064&hvtargid=pla-794854502288


    It's Plug-n-Play and will load the necessary drivers automatically when
    you plug it in.

    You then just need some MIDI sequencing software. I'm still using an old version of Cakewalk Express which was certainly written for an earlier version of Windows - but works perfectly happily on W7 (32-bit or
    64-bit) [So it must be a 32-bit rather than 16-bit application, probably dating from W95 or 98, but not W3.1]

    If you send me a PM, I can probably fix you up with a copy.

    And there is a Class codepoint for MIDI on USB.

    https://usb.org/sites/default/files/midi10.pdf

    Which makes it easier for an in-box driver to work with
    such an adapter. On something like Win98 of course,
    YMMV, as there wouldn't be the wealth of Class drivers
    at that point, that there are today.

    Paul
    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Roger Mills@21:1/5 to Roger Mills on Sat Oct 26 21:15:08 2019
    XPost: alt.windows7.general, microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

    On 26/10/2019 21:03, Roger Mills wrote:
    On 26/10/2019 20:24, Paul wrote:
    Roger Mills wrote:
    On 24/10/2019 23:54, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
    (I'm using Windows 7, but have included the other two 'groups for
    reasons that will become evident!)

    I was explaining about MIDI (musical) keyboards to a friend, when I
    remembered I had one, that I'd hardly used. I dug it out - it's
    still in
    its box, even with its original plastic bag - 3 octaves, mini size
    keys.
    "evolution MUSIC WIZARD".

    However: it has a 15-pin male connector on the end of a lead coming out >>>> of it!

    Looking into things, it would appear that that originally connected to >>>> the joystick port on a soundcard.

    I've had a look around, and I can't find anything to connect this to
    USB. I've found gameport to MIDI - those seem to consist of four
    connectors: a male 15 way and a female 15 way, and two five-pin male
    DIN
    plugs (the sort that was originally used for [mostly Philips] audio
    equipment in the 1970s, and early PC keyboards). I _think_ these are
    just passive cables - no electronics. I've also found USB to MIDI -
    these I think _do_ have electronics in them; they mostly also end in
    two
    male DIN plugs (the electronics in a little lump in the cable), but one >>>> or two are a little box with a couple of female DIN sockets.

    If I have to go that way, can I talk to it by using one of each of
    these
    - or, does anyone know of a single adapter (that has 15-way female to
    USB)?

    Looking at the excellent http://www.hardwarebook.info/, it looks as if >>>> MIDI (http://www.hardwarebook.info/MIDI) is just two wires - a current >>>> source and a current sink - plus a shield.
    http://www.hardwarebook.info/PC_Gameport_with_MIDI seems to support
    that.

    And before anyone says - yes, I know I could probably get a second-hand >>>> USB MIDI keyboard for less than the price of the two adapters! But I
    like a challenge.

    And, whether I get the old keyboard working or buy a new [or
    second-hand] one, (a) will I need drivers for a MIDI keyboard, or does >>>> Windows 7 know about such things intrinsically, and (b) any suggestions >>>> for good free MIDI editing/recording software? I rather suspect the
    software that's with the keyboard won't work with Windows 7, as it says >>>> I need at least Windows 3.1 (-:

    I assume that the keyboard itself has the usual two 5-pin 180 degree
    DIN sockets, and that the cable which you have has two DIN plugs at
    one end and and a 15-pin D connector at the other end?

    If so, throw that cable away and get one of these:


    https://www.amazon.co.uk/USB-MIDI-Cable-DigitalLife-Out/dp/B07TNFDH5L/ref=asc_df_B07TNFDH5L/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=375410469487&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3721761605041043990&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=
    1007064&hvtargid=pla-794854502288&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=76811915917&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=375410469487&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3721761605041043990&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007064&hvtargid=pla-794854502288



    It's Plug-n-Play and will load the necessary drivers automatically
    when you plug it in.

    You then just need some MIDI sequencing software. I'm still using an
    old version of Cakewalk Express which was certainly written for an
    earlier version of Windows - but works perfectly happily on W7 (32-bit
    or 64-bit) [So it must be a 32-bit rather than 16-bit application,
    probably dating from W95 or 98, but not W3.1]

    If you send me a PM, I can probably fix you up with a copy.

    And there is a Class codepoint for MIDI on USB.

    https://usb.org/sites/default/files/midi10.pdf

    Which makes it easier for an in-box driver to work with
    such an adapter. On something like Win98 of course,
    YMMV, as there wouldn't be the wealth of Class drivers
    at that point, that there are today.

    Paul

    Indeed. I've got about 3 of these USB to MIDI adapters (not identical to
    the one I cited, but which do the same job). I bought the first one in
    Win XP times - and that came with a CD with the necessary drivers on it
    (AND some MIDI sequencing software). The more recent ones have been Plug-n-Play, and haven't needed external drivers.


    Here's an even cheaper one than the one I first cited. No reason why
    this wouldn't work - it's certainly worth a punt!

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-To-MIDI-Interface-Converter-Cable-Adapter-Music-Keyboard-Piano-To-PC-Laptop/372710966766?epid=1542423275&hash=item56c74e05ee:g:7osAAOSwmSNdKIlI

    --
    Cheers,
    Roger
    ____________
    Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
    checked.
    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From J. P. Gilliver (John)@21:1/5 to watt.tyler@gmail.com on Sun Oct 27 00:32:59 2019
    XPost: alt.windows7.general, microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

    In message <h1jk3tFipe1U1@mid.individual.net>, Roger Mills <watt.tyler@gmail.com> writes:
    []
    You then just need some MIDI sequencing software. I'm still using an
    old version of Cakewalk Express which was certainly written for an
    earlier version of Windows - but works perfectly happily on W7 (32-bit
    or 64-bit) [So it must be a 32-bit rather than 16-bit application,
    probably dating from W95 or 98, but not W3.1]

    If you send me a PM, I can probably fix you up with a copy.
    ...
    Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom checked.
    I've sent an email - hope that counts as a PM (-:
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    Only dirty people need wash
    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From J. P. Gilliver (John)@21:1/5 to watt.tyler@gmail.com on Sun Oct 27 00:25:23 2019
    XPost: alt.windows7.general, microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

    In message <h1jnp4Fjg9kU1@mid.individual.net>, Roger Mills <watt.tyler@gmail.com> writes:
    On 26/10/2019 21:03, Roger Mills wrote:
    []
    Roger Mills wrote:
    []
    I assume that the keyboard itself has the usual two 5-pin 180 degree
    DIN sockets, and that the cable which you have has two DIN plugs at
    one end and and a 15-pin D connector at the other end?

    No. The _only_ connection to the outside world it has is a _captive_
    cable (i. e. comes out of the keyboard), with the 15-pin D connector on
    the end of it. It does say on the box that it is definitely MIDI.
    []
    Indeed. I've got about 3 of these USB to MIDI adapters (not identical to
    the one I cited, but which do the same job). I bought the first one in
    Win XP times - and that came with a CD with the necessary drivers on it
    (AND some MIDI sequencing software). The more recent ones have been
    Plug-n-Play, and haven't needed external drivers.


    Here's an even cheaper one than the one I first cited. No reason why
    this wouldn't work - it's certainly worth a punt!

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-To-MIDI-Interface-Converter-Cable-Adapter >-Music-Keyboard-Piano-To-PC-Laptop/372710966766?epid=1542423275&hash=ite >m56c74e05ee:g:7osAAOSwmSNdKIlI

    There are literally hundreds of those on ebay! (Though they all look suspiciously similar.)

    I have also found ones with _female_ DIN sockets on (like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STEINBERG-MIDI-TO-USB-COMPUTER-CONVERTER-IN-OUT-THRU-PORT/283651120473?hash=item420aec9d59:g:ioAAAOSwy~JdrwJr
    alias t.ly/d5l3z), and also gameport-to-(male)DIN cables.
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    Only dirty people need wash
    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Roger Mills@21:1/5 to All on Sun Oct 27 11:09:56 2019
    XPost: alt.windows7.general, microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

    On 27/10/2019 00:32, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
    In message <h1jk3tFipe1U1@mid.individual.net>, Roger Mills <watt.tyler@gmail.com> writes:
    []
    You then just need some MIDI sequencing software. I'm still using an
    old version of Cakewalk Express which was certainly written for an
    earlier version of Windows - but works perfectly happily on W7 (32-bit
    or 64-bit) [So it must be a 32-bit rather than 16-bit application,
    probably dating from W95 or 98, but not W3.1]

    If you send me a PM, I can probably fix you up with a copy.
    ...
    Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom checked.
    I've sent an email - hope that counts as a PM (-:

    I've replied to your email - but I did that *before* I saw your previous
    post about the captive cable, so some of it may not apply!
    --
    Cheers,
    Roger
    ____________
    Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
    checked.
    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)