MIDI keyboard via USB rather than through firewire interface

Question

Level 1

0 points

MIDI keyboard via USB rather than through firewire interface

Hi

I am a Logic Express user and have an M-Audio FireWire 410 interface to record onto an iMac (2007 ish i think). The 410 has a MIDI in/out and until recently I've connected a (very old) digital piano via MIDI to the 410 and recorded into Logic that way.

I've just got rid of the digital piano and am looking at MIDI keyboards / controllers instead.

My current preferred option is the Novation Launchkey (25 or 49 key model) but this doesn't have a MIDI interface. I assume that the ability to connect up directly via USB or FireWire and the prevalence of music-making on iPad are making MIDI a dying interface.

My M-Audio 410 doesn't have a USB interface so the only way I can see to connect the Novation keyboard is directly into my iMac via USB. I will still need to use the 410 to record vocals and guitars so is there a problem effectively taking two recording sources into Logic, i.e. the 410 via FireWire and the Launchkey via USB? Do I just tell Logic which device to use as input for recording on each specific channel?

Sorry I know these are basic questions relating to outdated software (and hardware I suspect).

Thanks in advance

Posted on Aug 4, 2015 11:25 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Pancenter

Level 6

14,782 points

Aug 4, 2015 12:35 PM in response to Dai Williams

The controller keyboards that have USB are still using a MIDI interface, it's just built into the controller and is working through USB rather than the 5-pin DIN connection like on the 410. The USB connection is MIDI only and should present no problem when used with the 410. In fact your older system is generally more compatible than newer systems with the hardware you have.

Reply