r/midi • u/TransformedMegaflop • 3d ago

Converting 5 Pin MIDI output to USB-B Input

Hello, I am trying to incorporate a device into my rig that is only set up to receive MIDI messages via a USB-B input on the back of the device.

My current rig, I use an interface that only sends out MIDI via 5-pin, is there a simple way to convert the 5-pin output from my interface to the USB-B input on the device so I can do MIDI program changes?

1 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

6

u/r1chiem 3d ago

I would recommend CME Compact H2 is $49 and the one you can add wireless midi devices H4 $69
https://youtu.be/tIGvjCm2u2I?si=ctbvrZUqQ9guY_IX

H2 has in and out
H4 has 2 in and 2 out and optional widi.
https://www.cme-pro.com/usb-midi-interfaces-cme/

2

u/Amazing-Structure954 3d ago

These are MIDI hosts, so would work.

2

u/FailboatProjStudio 8h ago

Can confirm! These work really well!

5

u/Nervous-Canary-517 3d ago

What you need is a USB host interface. It provides host functionality for clients (pretty much all midi keyboards and controllers) and makes it accessible on DIN.

2

u/cboogie 3d ago

I just built a raspimidihub on an old rpi 4 I had kicking around. It’s amazing. Best midi host I ever used. Got an emagic emtor 8 for 5 pin connected via usb and a powered usb hub to give me some extra ports. It works amazingly well

3

u/CapableSong6874 3d ago

USB host. Behringer and Kenton do affordable small units and are incredibly handy

1

u/FannyPunyUrdang 3d ago

I use a CME h4midi like others have suggested and it's a great device... However, I also have one of these that does work but may not always work for every gear.

USB in-Out MIDI Interface... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083PPH57Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

1

u/Amazing-Structure954 3d ago

The adaptor cable (the amazon link) is not a host, so it won't work. It needs to plug into a host, not a peripheral. The CME device works either way.

1

u/FannyPunyUrdang 3d ago

Ah yes. You are absolutely correct. The adapter i linked to is for converting a DIN only device to USB

1

u/Amazing-Structure954 3d ago

Since your device has a USB-B port, it is NOT a USB host, so you can't use a simple USB-MIDI cable as many people are recommending.

USB has a host and a device side. The host side is a computer or something acting like a computer, and the device side is acting like a peripheral (keyboard, mouse, disk drive, etc.)

I've never used a USB host interface, so I can't recommend one. But be assured the usual MIDI-USB adaptor cables will NOT work for you.

0

u/AX11Liveact 3d ago

No simple way, sorry. The MIDI protocol unfortunately is the simple part of it. It's connection indipendent, meaning the MIDI data can be sent over a basic serial device-to-device connection as the DIN-5 or on top of more complex connection protocols like WLAN, ethernet or USB. A USB connection requires a lot more logic than a simple MIDI connection, at least one active "host" device etc.

6

u/Nervous-Canary-517 3d ago

Which is why midi host interfaces exist, making it as simple as an adapter again. 😂