USB midi routing

[l.leynse]

I would like to control 2 keyboards/synthesizers with Bandhelper, sending midi presets to different devices. My questions is how I can connect my iPad via USB to the 2 devices. Can I use a USB Hub or do I have to buy specific equipment?

Regards, Leo

[arlo]

Here are some options:

1) Get a USB MIDI interface with one port, then chain the keyboards together with the In and Thru ports.

2) Get a USB MIDI interface with one port, and a MIDI hub.

3) Get a USB MIDI interface with multiple ports, like this one:

https://amzn.to/2LXlWf2

4) Get a wireless MIDI interface for each keyboard, like these:

https://amzn.to/2vaFMdn

[l.leynse]

Hello Arlo,

Thanks for the information. Does it mean that you can only use devices with MIDI DIN ports?

Leo

[arlo]

You can also use MIDI devices with USB ports if the USB port is a class-compliant MIDI interface. I don't know if you could connect to more than one device this way -- I'm not sure if the USB MIDI connections would work through a USB hub.

[MickeyKeys]

Maybe this will help. Hope at least some of it will . . .
It's distantly related to Arlo's suggestion (1).
(if it sounds familiar, it may be because I posted an edition of "War and Peace" 2-1/2 years ago that mentioned this)
I'm working on coming out of "retirement" and my proposed rig is:

• iPad mini
• Roland RD-700NX on bottom (has MIDI IN, OUT 1, OUT 2, and THRU/OUT 3 5-pin jacks).
• Kurzweil PC3 on top (has MIDI IN, OUT, and THRU 5- pin jacks).

Both boards also have USB type B ports.
Connections:

• Lightning to camera adapter to USB MIDI (B) on the RD700NX.

(Here I have to confess I took a non-recommended but effective step, extending the lightning cord with a short garden-variety USB printer cable; but hey, it works!)

• 5-pin MIDI OUT 2 from the RD to 5-pin MIDI IN on the PC3.

(oddly, the "THRU" port didn't work)


Seems to work just fine so far.

[cpwaites]

I am using the iConnectivity MIDI interface networked to a wireless router.  This allows me to distribute commands from my foot controller (attached to the iConnectivity) or from a wireless iPad or another device connected to the iConnectivity (keyboard and guitar patches).  Still tweaking but so far I am happy with the setup.