Hi all, new here, and totally confused. Purchased a midi breakout board to place onto the Arduino so as to use a keyboard that only has USB to host output, but I need to send that to standard 5 pin din midi devices. I believe this can be done with what I have purchased. I note that some of the connecting pins on the breakout board dont line up to the lower sockets on the Arduino. This may be normal, but not too sure. Would anyone know of a tutorial that would possibly cover my planned use. I understand I will need to program the device once they are connected, that will be my next hurdle. I am a retired electronics tech, but have nil experience with Arduino. Any help or direction would be great. Many thanks.
What Arduino are you using? What MIDI breakout board?
It's not clear exactly what you're trying to achieve but if it is just to connect MIDI from a device that uses MIDI over USB to "old-fashioned" 5-pin DIN MIDI devices of some sort then wouldn't it be easier just to use one of the many cheap USB-MIDI converters like this.
Steve
Hi, sorry, should have been clearer. My Yamaha keyboard only has a ''B'' type USB to host output, no midi output. The two devices are from the following links. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Arduino-Compatible-Uno-R3-ATM. and https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MIDI-Shield-Musical-Breakout-Boar.
I have downloaded the IDE program, and the driver required. Maybe if I could locate the correct code, I could be on the way. I am looking to go from the USB type ''B'' to give me the normal older type 5 pin midi output. I think these two units should be able to do that function when set up correctly.
think these two units should be able to do that function when set up correctly.
No they won't, you would need a USB host shield on the Arduino end.
geobee:
My Yamaha keyboard only has a ''B'' type USB to host output, no midi output.
Details please. Which Yamaha keyboard? My old one only had a USB port, no 5 pin DIN MIDI ports. But what is carried over the USB is MIDI. And that's exactly what those adaptors are intended to work with.
But if you do want to use an Arduino, since you want MIDI over USB in then it might be easier to use a different Arduino like the Leonardo or Pro Micro which has the USB connection already built in.
Steve
But if you do want to use an Arduino, since you want MIDI over USB in then it might be easier to use a different Arduino like the Leonardo or Pro Micro which has the USB connection already built in.
Yes but these will only act as a USB client, the OP needs a USB host to plug his keyboard into.
I think the OP wants to not use a computer but to use and Arduino to convert from the keyboard to a 5 Pin output. That can't be done without a host shield, no matter what type of Arduino he chooses.
Ok, the reason for this project is I wish to use the Yamaha PSREW400 for live gig work, without taking along a computer. I use the keyboard with two other midi devices that have the usual din plug midi protocol. These two pics are the two devices I have. Maybe the midi board is only to send midi to the arduino, not to take a USB midi and then send out via 5 pin din midi socket, but as the din sockets are labelled midi in, out and thru, I would have thought that the midi out socket would have to send midi information from the arduino, that is being processed from the USB input? Maybe I am right off the mark with my assumptions. The fact that the midi module plugs straight onto the arduino, one would think that they are meant to do the job as I require. There is very little information on this setup from the suppliers as I guess most musicians just drag along a computer to use as a host, but there must be some sort of market for them as they wouldn't be producing them in the first place.
Well, I am learning here. I now realize I will require the usb host shield on the top of the arduino, then I would assume the midi module would then sit on top, and plug into the host board? I was obviously missing that part. I now assume that the usb input on the arduino module is only for set up and programming, not to accept the usb from my instrument?
I now assume that the usb input on the arduino module is only for set up and programming, not to accept the usb from my instrument?
Correct.
The USB host shield library include an example that implements a bi-directional MIDI DIN <-> MIDI USB host converter. Note the MIDI device must be class compliant and not include an internal USB hub. MIDI devices that are not class compliant do not work on Mac or Windows without loading manufacturer device drivers.
Commercial converters are available such as the Kenton MIDI USB host box. But it also has limitations with respect to MIDI class compliance.
geobee:
Well, I am learning here. I now realize I will require the usb host shield on the top of the arduino, then I would assume the midi module would then sit on top, and plug into the host board? I was obviously missing that part. I now assume that the usb input on the arduino module is only for set up and programming, not to accept the usb from my instrument?
USB comes in two types, host and client. You can only connect a host to a client, not a client to client or host to host. That applies to all USB devices not just MIDI ones.
So basically, if I purchase a USB shield, fit that unit up to the arduino with the midi in/out/thru shield fitted on top of that, I should be able to program it to give me the din midi output that I require?
Yes.
Many thanks for the help. I will order the USB shield and see how I go.