Midi Interface for Beginners: A Complete Guide

By Chloe Nelson 7 July 2025 5 min read

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Midi Interface for Beginners: A Complete Guide

A midi interface connects hardware with 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors to a computer via USB, allowing a DAW to send and receive MIDI data from vintage synthesisers, drum machines, hardware sequencers and other older gear. Setting one up for the first time requires a few steps that are not always obvious from the manual: installing drivers if needed, configuring the DAW's MIDI settings and testing the connection before relying on it in a session.

Check Whether You Need a MIDI Interface at All

Many modern keyboards and controllers connect via USB and send MIDI directly to the computer without a separate interface. Check your hardware for a USB connection. If it is there, connect the hardware to the computer, open your DAW and look in the MIDI settings or preferences — if the device appears in the input list, you do not need a midi interface. An interface is only necessary for hardware that uses 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors exclusively.

Installing Drivers

Some MIDI interfaces — particularly older models and budget options — require a driver to be installed on the computer before the interface will be recognised. Before connecting the interface, visit the manufacturer's support website and download the driver for your operating system version. Install the driver, restart the computer if prompted, and then connect the interface. Class-compliant interfaces (those that work without additional drivers) typically say so in their specifications; the Roland UM-ONE mk2 and iConnectivity interfaces are examples of class-compliant devices.

Configuring Your DAW

Once the midi interface is connected and recognised by the computer, open the DAW and navigate to the MIDI or audio/MIDI settings. Enable the interface as both a MIDI input and a MIDI output. Create a MIDI track, set its input to the correct interface port, and set its output to the same port (or a specific hardware device). Play notes on the connected hardware and watch the MIDI input meter on the track — if it moves, the connection is working. If nothing appears, check cable connections, confirm the hardware is powered and set to transmit MIDI, and verify the DAW has the correct input selected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a midi interface the same as an audio interface?

No. An audio interface converts analogue audio to digital audio for recording into a computer. This device converts MIDI data between 5-pin DIN and USB formats. Many audio interfaces include MIDI connections, which may make a standalone MIDI device unnecessary — check your audio interface's specifications.

Why does my MIDI hardware not appear in the DAW?

The most likely causes are: the interface needs a driver that has not been installed, the device is connected through a passive hub that cannot supply adequate power, or the MIDI inputs have not been enabled in the DAW preferences. Work through each cause in order before assuming the interface is faulty.

Can I record MIDI and audio simultaneously?

Yes. MIDI and audio recording are independent processes. You can record MIDI from a hardware synthesiser through the interface while simultaneously recording the audio output of that synthesiser through an audio interface. Configure both devices correctly in the DAW and assign each to its own track.

What MIDI cable do I need?

A standard 5-pin DIN MIDI cable, available from any music retailer in lengths from 1 to 10 metres. The cable carries MIDI data in one direction — you need two cables to create a bidirectional connection between the interface and the hardware: one from hardware OUT to interface IN, and one from interface OUT to hardware IN.

How many devices can I connect to a single-port interface?

One at a time per port. A single-port interface provides one MIDI in and one MIDI out, so only one device can be connected at a time. To connect multiple hardware devices simultaneously, you need a multi-port interface or a MIDI thru box to chain devices on the same output.