Can't get MIDI Input to work. Please help!

[DannySwazz]

Hi, I have an integrated sound card that came with my HP computer. The Windows Update seems to think it's a SoundMAX Digital Audio, but for some reason I had downloaded Avance AC'97 drivers which work so I'm not sure which it is, but that's probably besides the point since both seem to work just as well.

The problem here is that I just bought a MIDI adapter cable to connect my Keyboard to my joystick port and I can't seem to get any input from my Keyboard to my computer. The strange thing is MPU-401 is installed and I can use it to output MIDI to my Keyboard so I know the connections are working and the driver is installed. But why doesn't input from the keyboard work? I've tried several test programs and I am getting nothing. I am truly stumped here, please help!

 

[Chaotic42]

Could be a stupid question, but do you have the "Midi In" and "Midi Out" cables plugged into to the keyboard correctly?

 

[DannySwazz]

Yes, and I can output to the keyboard, but input does not work.

 

[bluemax]

Output DOES work, but IN doesn't? Whoa..... that's weird.

Just remember that MIDI OUT on the PC goes to MIDI IN on your keyboard. And vice versa.

Then it might be a matter of telling your keyboard to actuall SEND MIDI data! It's not a given... what keyboard is it? You may need to do a little manual-flipping.

 

[DannySwazz]

It's a Yamaha PSR-195. I forgot to mention that we tried it on my brother's PC and it worked fine, using the same cables and everything. That's why I think it must have something to do with my sound card or drivers or something. Maybe I need a new sound card?

 

[bluemax]

I've had pretty bad luck with joystick MIDI on onboard sound. A cheap soundcard, even just for its joystick midi port, is the cheapest alternative.

Cheaper than a USB MIDI interface, though a dedicated MIDI interface couldn't hurt....

If you're ever considering a *real* sound card update, the $100 professional M-Audio Audiophile 2496 comes with a good MIDI interface.