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connecting a keyboard

How do I connect my keyboard in order to use garage band or is there something that comes for Apple that you have to use?

Posted on Nov 7, 2012 5:13 PM

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2 replies

Nov 8, 2012 1:16 AM in response to be4uHEis

That depends entirely on your keyboard. There's four scenarios:


• You have a "class compliant" keyboard with a USB connection -> just plug it in and play.

• You have a keyboard with a USB connection that requires a driver -> install the driver software on your computer, make sure you have the latest version that matches your OS version.

• Your keyboard only has a midi out (round jack): You need a midi-to-usb interface to connect to your computer.

• Your keyboard has neither midi nor USB (like cheap children's keyboards): you can't use it.

Nov 9, 2012 2:37 PM in response to be4uHEis

Whatever you try to connect to your computer, there are two sides that you have to consider:



Hardware Side:

You have to connect your keyboard to your computer. There are two options

  • a) Your keyboard has a USB jack: You can plug it directly to your computer
  • b) Your keyboard has a MIDI jack: You have to plug into a separate box, a so called "MIDI interface". That MIDI Interface then connects to your computer (via USB, Firewire, etc


Software side:

  • c) Whatever you connect to your computer (Keyboard or MIDI interface), it has to be recognized by your operating system (OSX). If that hardware is "class compliant" (as Chrisoph pointed out), then you have a "plug-and-play" situation. OSX recognizes the device
  • d) If your hardware (Keyboard or MIDI Interface) uses special features or protocols, then you have to install a special software (called "Driver") first, so OSX can recognize the device and properly communicate with it. This Driver is automatically installed during the installation of the software that comes with device.


Whatever combination you have, you can check in the Audio MIDI Setup application if OSX "sees" your device:

Go to your Utilities folder inside your Applications folder and launch the "Audio MIDI Setup" application. Under the Window menu select "Show MIDI Studio". Every MIDI device that OSX recognizes, will show up in this window. If not, then you have to do some troubleshooting.


User uploaded file



Hope that helps



Edgar Rothermich


http://DingDingMusic.com/Manuals/

'I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.'

connecting a keyboard

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