[sdiy] Adding a 5-pin MIDI DIN connection to a kybd controller with USB

[Peter Pearson]

If you need more doodads on your keyboard, you could also consider the Korg
Microkontrol.  Also good.

On Mon, Jul 18, 2022 at 2:38 PM Peter Pearson <electrocontinuo at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Get a Yamaha CBX-K1.  They're great!  Would recommend.
>
> On Mon, Jul 18, 2022 at 2:29 PM Logan Mitchell Sr via Synth-diy <
> synth-diy at synth-diy.org> wrote:
>
>> Thanks Brian.
>>
>> Unfortunately for me, finding a keyboard controller with mini keys that
>> has a 5-pin DIN connector is not easy as it once was, so I may have to
>> settle for a full-sized kybd controller that already has the built-in 5-pin
>> DIN connector(s).
>>
>> The mini keys factor allow me to store & transport that kybd & the
>> desktop hardware synths in the same case and now that I use a cane to help
>> support my walking with severe flat feet, a single transport storage case
>> makes it easier using a small fold-up luggage cart.
>>
>> Getting old isn't easy.
>>
>> Logan
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* Synth-diy <synth-diy-bounces at synth-diy.org> on behalf of brianw <
>> brianw at audiobanshee.com>
>> *Sent:* Sunday, July 17, 2022 23:49
>> *To:* Synth-diy at synth-diy.org <Synth-diy at synth-diy.org>
>> *Subject:* Re: [sdiy] Adding a 5-pin MIDI DIN connection to a kybd
>> controller with USB
>>
>> Logan,
>>
>> Those newer desktop synths that have 5-pin DIN classic MIDI and USB
>> already have a microprocessor to control the synth engine, and USB, and
>> MIDI. The firmware was written to handle all three, and the MIDI is just a
>> serial port with the correct settings and code to pass along the messages,
>> in and out.
>>
>> Any keyboard controller that has a USB connection built-in will already
>> have a microprocessor, but it might not have a serial port (for MIDI), or
>> if it does have a serial port then the pins might be used for something
>> else, or if they're not used then they still might be inaccessible under
>> the microprocessor chip package. The firmware would have to be rewritten to
>> add 5-pin DIN classic MIDI if it wasn't originally designed into the
>> product. There's a very small chance that your USB keyboard controller
>> already supports 5-pin classic MIDI on the PCB, but you'd have to figure
>> out how to wire it up.
>>
>> As for your realistic options:
>>
>> You could replace your keyboard controller with one that has both USB and
>> classic MIDI (or even one that has only classic MIDI).
>>
>> Apart from that, you could design your studio around a device that can
>> act as a hub for all kinds of MIDI: classic 5-pin DIN, ethernet (RTP-MIDI),
>> and USB-MIDI. This option isn't cheap, but then you don't have to worry
>> about adding new modules or devices that aren't like the rest.
>>
>> Brian
>>
>>
>> On Jul 17, 2022, at 7:51 PM, Benjamin Tremblay via Synth-diy <
>> synth-diy at synth-diy.org> wrote:
>> > You will need a microprocessor like an arduino or pic to be a usb host
>> and convert to 5 pin serial. The Teensy 4 will do this very well.  The
>> Teensy 4.1 has a USB host kit so you could prototype it with usb cables.
>> >
>> > Benjamin Tremblay
>> >
>> > On Jul 17, 2022, at 10:29 PM, Logan Mitchell Sr via Synth-diy <
>> synth-diy at synth-diy.org> wrote:
>> >> Does anyone know if a keyboard controller that has a USB connection
>> built-in can have a S-pin DIN MIDI connection added to it and if so how
>> would that be done ?
>> >>
>> >> I have some older 5-pin MIDI DIN modules & two newer desktop hardware
>> synths that have the 5-pin DIN style MIDI connectors built in along with
>> built-in USB connections but I prefer to use the 5-pin MIDI DIN connections
>> for the sake of end to end compatibility as some of the older modules are
>> pre-USB devices.
>> >>
>> >> Logan
>>
>>
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>
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