Connecting my Midi piano to Cubase on my PC

[bass_dinger]

I want to connect my 5-pin DIN Midi piano to Cubase, which is installed on my PC.

 

I am assuming that I need an add-on box to the PC, plugged into a USB socket.

 

I want to be able to play something (a bass line) on the midi piano, and have the notes appear in Cubase, so that I can print out the sheet music for playing from.

 

Can anyone advise?

[BigRedX]

If all you want to do is play notes on the keyboard so that Cubase can record the MIDI data, You will probably get away with one of those MIDI USB leads with two 5-pin DIN sockets at the other end. 

[moley6knipe]

My lad uses this, seems to work with everything plugged in so far! https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08J6XVWFN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - nice because USB C or A (with adaptor). Also class compliant i.e. no driver install required. Previously had tried the classic Roland UM-One cable, but that needs drivers which (because Boss) meant pain.

 

 

[dave_bass5]

22 hours ago, bass_dinger said:

I want to connect my 5-pin DIN Midi piano to Cubase, which is installed on my PC.

 

I am assuming that I need an add-on box to the PC, plugged into a USB socket.

 

I want to be able to play something (a bass line) on the midi piano, and have the notes appear in Cubase, so that I can print out the sheet music for playing from.

 

Can anyone advise?

Do you have an audio interface? Some of those have MIDI ports. If not, and you are thinking of getting one, just get one with midi on the back. 

[bass_dinger]

33 minutes ago, dave_bass5 said:

Do you have an audio interface? Some of those have MIDI ports. If not, and you are thinking of getting one, just get one with midi on the back. 

I have an audio interface  - a Yamaha AG03, which looks like a mixer.  No midi ports on the device, so I need either a specialist box such as the Sub Zero 4-way interface (https://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/SubZero-4x4-MIDI-Interface/2KOA or the cable recommended by @BigRedXand @moley6knipe, which allows just one keyboard (which is all that I have).

 

The cable looks the best option for my needs - but I am planning to upgrade my PC, to run Windows 11, and have more USB connections, and the ability to run two monitors. So, the upgrade may change things. 

[BigRedX]

If you only have one keyboard to connect and don't plan on getting anymore MIDI devices then the SubZero interface is going to be overkill for your needs.

 

I'd get the cable recommended by @moley6knipe from Amazon as you'll be able to return it without quibble if it doesn't work. 

 

Cable only solutions don have a brilliant reputation but so long as as you are only intending to send note and controller data from the keyboard to the computer it should be fine. It's only when you want to also use esoteric MIDI data like Polyphonic Aftertouch, MTC and SysEx that they tend to fall down.

 

If you just want to get MIDI data from the keyboard to the computer and don't intend to use it to have the computer playing the keyboard's sounds just connect the MIDI out socket otherwise you'll get a MIDI loop which leads to all kinds of nastiness. If you do want to have the computer controlling the piano you'll need to look for the "local off" setting on your keyboard and connect both the MIDI In and Out.

[Elfrasho]

Any old usb/midi convertor cable will do I'm pretty certain. I'm still using a £15 one from 20 years ago and it works flawlessly. Just a matter of choosing the USB device once your in cubase and record away!

[bass_dinger]

On 09/01/2025 at 13:06, bass_dinger said:

On 09/01/2025 at 12:26, dave_bass5 said:

 

I have an audio interface  - a Yamaha AG03, which looks like a mixer.  No midi ports on the device,

 

Last week, the AG03 stopped working properly  - the bass guitar channel no longer produces any sound. And nor does the microphone channel (I am not sure if it has ever worked).  However, I can still use it for stereo electric piano.

 

So it looks like I need to replace the kit if I want to play bass (which I do).

 

My favoured option for a replacement is the Behringer UMC404hd ( https://www.thomann.co.uk/behringer_umc404hd.htm ). It has 4 simultaneous input channels, multiple Outputs - and MIDI In and Out. 

 

So, the UMC404hd will  do the job of both the AG03, and the MIDI-to-USB cable.  Once Thomann have them back in stock, I will invest in one.

 

R

 

[tauzero]

I've got the UMC204HD which is fine - I did think it had gone horribly wrong at one point when it went very noisy and crackly. The USB connections were rather inaccessible, when I finally unplugged it and plugged it in again it was fine.

[bass_dinger]

On 09/01/2025 at 12:26, dave_bass5 said:

Do you have an audio interface? Some of those have MIDI ports. If not, and you are thinking of getting one, just get one with midi on the back. 

 

So, I have decided to upgrade to an audio interface with midi ports - the Behringer https://www.thomann.co.uk/behringer_umc1820.htm which appears to have 8 instrument-input channels.  It will replace a Yamaha AG03 (3 channels), chained to a Behringer Xenyx 802 (4 instrument-input channels).

 

I need to use midi cables to join up the three midi devices, that have the following ports:

 

~ Kurzweil SP76 (midi In, midi Out)

~ E-MU Classic Keys (midi In, midi Out, midi Thru')

~ UMC 1820 (midi In, midi Out)

 

I assume that it will be

1. Kurzweil SP76, midi Out > 

2. midi In of the E-MU Classic Keys / midi Out of the E-MU Classic Keys>

3. midi In of the UMC 1820. 

 

And if I want the PC to play the keyboard, I take the advice of @BigRedX : 

 

On 09/01/2025 at 13:25, BigRedX said:

If you do want to have the computer controlling the piano you'll need to look for the "local off" setting on your keyboard and connect both the MIDI In and Out.

4. That is, midi Out of the UMC 1820 > midi in of the Kurzweil SP76.

 

So, I will need three midi cables? 

 

 

_Behringer UMC1820 – Thomann UK.html

Edited July 26 by bass_dinger

[bass_dinger]

Change of plan ....

 

I now want to be able to connect a Roland FP30X electric piano to a Behringer UMC1820, via midi.

 

The Midi (out and in) on the Roland FP30X is the USB B-type ("USB Computer") 

 

        

The UMC1820 has midi-DIN in and out (and the USB is to connect it to the PC).

 

 

There is no such thing as a midi-B to midi-DIN cable.  So, I was instead advised that I need a Midi junction box with a USB-A (for the Midi port). 

 

Can anyone advise, or recommend a suitable Midi junction box?  Ideally, with a separate power supply input (no combined USB power).

 

https://www.cme-pro.com/h4midi-wc-usb-host-midi-interface/  (4 midi DIN ports) 

https://www.cme-pro.com/h2midi-pro/?srsltid=AfmBOorC_nVwHWECm7l27q92lOgEx6S5tJUkpTkhHHTngMOImr7B2XkI (2 midi DIN ports) 

https://www.thomann.co.uk/behringer_go_midi_host.htm (a very simple box - but will it work for my set-up?) 

https://www.doremidi.cn/h-pd-2.html (a box from the USA, but available in the UK)

 

I also want to run an EMU Classic Keys (midi DIN in, out and thru), but I can probably use the Midi out from my UMC1820. 

 

Help!!!

 

   

 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by bass_dinger

[Hellzero]

Don't rush, there are other possibilities like the Roland/Cakewalk MIDI to USB devices.

 

I'll get back later as I have to leave right now.

[Hellzero]

If you want to use two dedicated MIDI devices, as MIDI is an in/out protocol system, you'll need something like the CME that you mentioned with an USB B to A or C cable: https://www.thomann.co.uk/cme_h4midi_wc.htm

 

You'll need to have 4 MIDI cables, 1 USB B to A or C cable and a power supply.

 

Otherwise, there are simple USB to MIDI cables like this one: https://www.thomann.co.uk/cme_u2_midi_pro.htm

 

But you'll need an USB B to A adapter as it's always been that stupid, like this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/PRO-POWER-Adaptor-High-Speed-Converter/dp/B0839VHWVD

 

I've used the Roland/Cakewalk device with great success, but it's USB powered: https://www.thomann.co.uk/roland_um_one_mkii.htm

 

Mine is an old Cakewalk, which has become sticky over the years, and you can get it for postage fee, should you want it:

 

 

 

[bass_dinger]

2 hours ago, Hellzero said:

I have to leave right now.

 

Right now!? You are Santa Claus, and I claim my £5.

 

No rush, indeed.  I plan to order the piano after Christmas (but before the 2026 Gear Abstinence Challenge starts...). Even then, I can forego midi connectivity, until the right bit of kit comes up. 

 

I am puzzled by the Roland/Cakewalk MIDI to USB devices - that cable will only plug into the FP-30X's USB Memory slot (rather than the USB Computer output, which the guy in the Roland shop said I should use. However, he admitted that it was not his area of expertise). Also,  the guy in the Roland shop didn't recommend the 

Roland/Cakewalk MIDI to USB device - odd.

 

Hence, my question about connectivity, here.

 

[bass_dinger]

That's a lot of good advice, both for me, and for anyone else who wants to connect USB-midi to midi-din - thank you.

 

Interesting to see that a USB B to A adapter is necessary, and available. That was, quite literally, the missing link 

 

I will contact you directly, regarding the your offer of the Cakewalk connector. 

 

Robert 

[Hellzero]

1 hour ago, bass_dinger said:

Hence, my question about connectivity, here.

You'll have to use the USB B (To Computer) to use the MIDI, the other port (USB A) being for "flash" memory like any key available.

 

I answered you.

 

Santa. 😂

[tauzero]

The Behringer one looks as if it will do the job. You'll need something like https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186880321395 to go in the back of the piano, then a USB-C to USB-C cable to go from piano to HOST socket, and a USB-C power supply to go to the POWER socket. It's annoying that manufacturers keep penny-pinching by not putting DIN MIDI connectors on devices that have the room to fit them.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/388956055978 offers straight or right-angle adaptors and is UK based.