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Problem with midi-connection to digital piano

Hello!


I have an electric piano ("Thomann Digital Piano DP30") with usb-midi-functionality. I have used it for years under Windows via the USB-Midi-Connection and it always worked instantly plug-and-play as a Midi keyboard (and still does). Now, on my Macbook with M2 Max Chip and Mac OS Ventura, the usb-connection cannot be established anymore. When I turn the piano on while I am connected to the Mac it appears just briefly in the Midi-window of the 'Audio-Midi-Setup', but when refreshing the page it is already blurred out (such as if it lost connection immediately after connecting). So respectively no DAW will detect it, since the OS does not hold the connection in the first place. I would like to know if this problem is known to you and if there is any solution. It seems like a driver-incompatibility of sorts, but there are no drivers for this piano and never have been since it was always plug-and-play. Every hardware-wise cause like faulty cables can be excluded (and as I said, it still works perfectly on Windows 11). It is also no matter of having it directly connected to the Mac or via a usb-hub. (I tested all the combinations with different cables). Also my Mac is happy to accept all of the other plug-and-play-USB-Midi-devices (such as a mini midi keyboard by nektar, 'SE25') instantly without problems. 

Help would be appreciated!


Best regards

fred

MacBook Pro 16″

Posted on Jun 6, 2023 5:52 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 11, 2023 6:59 AM

SOLUTION:


Okay, after month I was able to solve the incompatibility by injecting a so called "USB host" box between the piano and the Mac:

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07B8XGD16?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details


So the midi piano gets plugged into this host box and then you need a USB/5pinmidi-cable such as this one https://www.amazon.de/OTraki-Interface-Konverter-Controller-Instrument/dp/B07KYDP3GK/ref=sr_1_5?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=14LLZRLCYPM9H&keywords=usb+midi&qid=1699714379&s=musical-instruments&sprefix=usb+midi%2Cmi%2C126&sr=1-5

to connect to the Mac. Plug the 5pin "In" strand of that cable to the "Midi out" of the host box and the USB strand into the Mac, of course with an adapter to usb-c unless you use a hub.


Now it works perfectly and I can not feel any additional latency.


So for those of you who want to keep their old e-piano that is the way to go :)


Similar questions

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 11, 2023 6:59 AM in response to frederic2410

SOLUTION:


Okay, after month I was able to solve the incompatibility by injecting a so called "USB host" box between the piano and the Mac:

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07B8XGD16?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details


So the midi piano gets plugged into this host box and then you need a USB/5pinmidi-cable such as this one https://www.amazon.de/OTraki-Interface-Konverter-Controller-Instrument/dp/B07KYDP3GK/ref=sr_1_5?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=14LLZRLCYPM9H&keywords=usb+midi&qid=1699714379&s=musical-instruments&sprefix=usb+midi%2Cmi%2C126&sr=1-5

to connect to the Mac. Plug the 5pin "In" strand of that cable to the "Midi out" of the host box and the USB strand into the Mac, of course with an adapter to usb-c unless you use a hub.


Now it works perfectly and I can not feel any additional latency.


So for those of you who want to keep their old e-piano that is the way to go :)


Problem with midi-connection to digital piano

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