USB MIDI cable not working in garageband

Hi blendernoob64,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. This article has steps you can take to troubleshoot issues with your new MIDI cable:

Audio MIDI Setup: How to test for MIDI function

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3157

Cheers,

- Ari

Hi, guys! I didn't want to start a new topic, so i hope you can help me...

I have the same problem, but with an electric drum kit... i connect the USB cable, i hit the pads and Garageband sounds, but just for few seconds: then it stops.

So i plug-out the USB, i plug-in back and the same happens: i hit some pads, sounds, but few seconds later the sound stops... Garageband still recognizes a MIDI enter, but does not work.

Any idea of what might be happening?

(Garageband 10.0.3, and OS X 10.9.5)

Sorry for my english!

I have the exact same problem. Two USB cables don't work at all. I bought a high end gold plated cable and it only works for a few seconds then the signal drops. Then I tried a USB cable from a keyboard and it worked. So I thought I fixed the problem. Then the next day, the same problem… it only works for a moment then nothing. Very frustrating and nobody seems to know the solution.

Hi Ariel,

I know this is a bit late, but I have noticed this issue is quite widespread but has never been resolved by a real definitive solution posted by anyone. Here's the fix for this problem. There is nothing wrong with standard USB cables. The reason the USB cable drops the MIDI signal is because the heavy midi data flow starves the signal continuity of the USB. I suspected that this might be the case because I recall that some of my older (power hungry) USB devices had two USB connections to my computer - one dedicated for the USB signal, and the other labeled and dedicated as 'power.'

So I put the theory to the test. I connected the USB cable from my electronic drum kit module to a "powered USB hub." Then from the hub I connected another USB cable to my computer and GarageBand. All the other USB cables that didn't work previously now works perfectly.

I also have the same problem. Someone gave me the keyboard, LK-110 Casio, with no drivers. On the Casio website they only have downloads for Windows. Hence, I think the main problem is how do I get a driver for my keyboard? I have older operating system 10.7.5 - old MacBook. Garage band recognized that a MIDI device is connected, but then no sound or response from my keyboard to garage band. Anyone have a driver for me? Thanks!

I had this issue where the MIDI connection was working for a few seconds after plugging in or didn't work at all.

Fixed it by connecting through a USB hub. Not a powered one so this is not a power issue.

MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012)