Mac not recognizing midi connection

As long as your plugs fit (without using too much force ...) the cable shouldn't be a problem. If you open GB's preferences, Audi/Midi - does it say "1 midi device detected"?

Hello Alice1,

I am having a similar problem except I'm connecting a Yamaha Disklavier piano to my MacBook Pro. Made sure I had all the updated SW/drivers and performed all the setting changes for a USB MIDI connection. The MacBook recognizes the piano in the MIDI setup page but GarageBand (09) does not. Responses from other user support forums I've searched seems to point to unresolved compatiablity issues between Yamaha keyboards and GB. I'm still working to find a solution but I have a feeling that I may need to add another device between the piano and MacBook/GB to get the full MIDI (in and out) function to work. There are other solutions via the audio I/O with GB that will work if you don't need MIDI.

Alice1,

What is the length of the USB cable you are using to connect between the digital piano and the Mac computer? The USB MIDI port on the Yamaha may only work with cable lengths less than 9'10" (per USB specifications for slow speed devices). After much troubleshooting on my Disklavier piano and MacBook pro, that was the culprit that caused my MacBook not to receive/recognized any USB MIDI data from the piano. If you need longer lengths cable, then you will need to add a power USB hub to extend the cable lenghts. Hope this solves your problem.

George

I am a Mac newbie and a Midi newbie. I connected my M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 into my MacBook Air via supplied USB cable. I opened GarageBand and played away! then all of a sudden I get a message saying something like no input device detected, and just like that it stopped working!! I have tried everything and trying to find answers here, I don't even know how to post a new question here, but I came across this post. If anyone can help me figure out whats wrong, I would greatly appreciate it!

(To post a new question: you can't do that in the "GarageBand" folder, you'll have to go down to the version specific folder, that'll give you a "Post New Topic" item right at the top.)

The only explanation I can see for your problem is a faulty connection. First thing to try is a different cable!

thank you for the reply. now this is going to sound stupid, but where do I get a new cable? does it not have to be the exact same USB cable supplied by the keyboard? I went to the M audio website and can not find a spare cable for sale. Do I just get any USB cable that would plug in?

yiyi Ku wrote:
where do I get a new cable? does it not have to be the exact same USB cable supplied by the keyboard?

it needs to have the same connectors, but USB is USB. Take a look at _this cable_ . if it has the same connectors, it'll work.

thank you so much for the prompt reply! I am going to try a new cable and see if it fixes the problem. I just find it strange that it was working fine for the first 10 minutes, and then all of a sudden it just stopped. The keyboard is still powered (the LCD screen is lit) but no sound...

even though its cheap, before you buy something, open GB's prefs and click the Audio/MIDI tab. does it say any MIDI devices are connected?

no, it says 0 midi device detected. same thing when i opened Finder-Applications-Utilities-AudioMidi: there is no picture of the keyboard. Before when it was working, I saw a picture of the keyboard

ok, then i'm with Christoph, the cable would be my first suspect.

RESOLVED!!!! i found a printer USB cable that looks the same, and I plugged it in, BINGO!! it is working again! thank you so much for the advice to both Christoph and Hangtime!!