built in MIDI library ties up TX pin?

Other Hardware Audio
1

I've built a MIDI in/out circuit with a PC900V optocoupler and it lets me send MIDI to my Arduino UNO.
The basic MIDISimpleSynth example sketch receives MIDI and plays back the correct frequency square wave out pin 10.

QUESTION: Why does it also echo the MIDI data coming in the RX back out the TX?
What If I wanted to use the TX? This ties it up so I can't use it anymore and I believe I also can't use the serial monitor anymore either.

Is there a way to stop this?

MIDI_in_out_circuit.jpg
MIDI_in_out_circuit.jpg772×675 193 KB

2

I'm answering my own question. I ended up using
MIDI.turnThruOff();
Now I can use Serial.printLn() without having extra data showing up on the serial monitor.
I also realised that I would need to set the serial monitor to 31250.