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Old October 24th 19, 11:54 PM posted to alt.windows7.general,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion
J. P. Gilliver (John)[_3_]
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Posts: 25
Default archaeology! MIDI keyboard with joystick interface?

(I'm using Windows 7, but have included the other two 'groups for
reasons that will become evident!)

I was explaining about MIDI (musical) keyboards to a friend, when I
remembered I had one, that I'd hardly used. I dug it out - it's still in
its box, even with its original plastic bag - 3 octaves, mini size keys.
"evolution MUSIC WIZARD".

However: it has a 15-pin male connector on the end of a lead coming out
of it!

Looking into things, it would appear that that originally connected to
the joystick port on a soundcard.

I've had a look around, and I can't find anything to connect this to
USB. I've found gameport to MIDI - those seem to consist of four
connectors: a male 15 way and a female 15 way, and two five-pin male DIN
plugs (the sort that was originally used for [mostly Philips] audio
equipment in the 1970s, and early PC keyboards). I _think_ these are
just passive cables - no electronics. I've also found USB to MIDI -
these I think _do_ have electronics in them; they mostly also end in two
male DIN plugs (the electronics in a little lump in the cable), but one
or two are a little box with a couple of female DIN sockets.

If I have to go that way, can I talk to it by using one of each of these
- or, does anyone know of a single adapter (that has 15-way female to
USB)?

Looking at the excellent http://www.hardwarebook.info/, it looks as if
MIDI (http://www.hardwarebook.info/MIDI) is just two wires - a current
source and a current sink - plus a shield.
http://www.hardwarebook.info/PC_Gameport_with_MIDI seems to support
that.

And before anyone says - yes, I know I could probably get a second-hand
USB MIDI keyboard for less than the price of the two adapters! But I
like a challenge.

And, whether I get the old keyboard working or buy a new [or
second-hand] one, (a) will I need drivers for a MIDI keyboard, or does
Windows 7 know about such things intrinsically, and (b) any suggestions
for good free MIDI editing/recording software? I rather suspect the
software that's with the keyboard won't work with Windows 7, as it says
I need at least Windows 3.1 (-:
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

.... and how lovely, warm, funny, and just all-round Victoria Woodish she was.
- Richard Osman on Victoria Wood, RT 2017/4/8-14