A Windows 98 & ME forum. Win98banter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » Win98banter forum » Windows 98 » General
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

archaeology! MIDI keyboard with joystick interface?



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #1  
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_]
external usenet poster
 
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
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Driver for Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2 Joystick Dan General 12 April 29th 09 02:33 PM
MIDI Synthesizer gonzojohn General 4 November 2nd 06 05:46 PM
Force Feedback Joystick issues with XP windsurfnp13 General 3 January 24th 05 04:52 PM
Joystick Rick Plug & Play 0 July 24th 04 11:23 PM
joystick/driver problem Scott General 1 June 16th 04 03:17 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:37 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 Win98banter.
The comments are property of their posters.