USB MIDI to Legacy MIDI via Arduino

adnauseam · Joined: Mar 27, 2013 Posts: 147 Location: Manitoba, Canada

So check this out:

Interfacing MIDI devices with Arduino using USB Host Shield

With a bit of fiddling you could potentially look at MIDI data coming from any USB only MIDI device and adapt it to sent standard midi out to any other device. This means you could use your korg nano products, usb only midi controller, perhaps even the OP-1 as a device for legacy midi devices.

This approach seems promising to anyone who has the time to tinker. Currently the only decent available USB-> MIDI device (by iConnectMIDI I think?) is approaching $200.

What I read in the comments section is that one problem you may encounter is the voltage levels of the shield may not be large enough for some bus powered usb devices. This coould be explored.[/url]

MusicMan11712 · Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 4:07 pm Post subject:

[removed for personal reasons]

adnauseam · Joined: Mar 27, 2013 Posts: 147 Location: Manitoba, Canada

I got a little bit excited and ordered an Arduino with some USB and midi din jacks. well see how it goes in a few weeks Laughing

MusicMan11712 · Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 9:57 am Post subject:

[removed for personal reasons]

adnauseam · Joined: Mar 27, 2013 Posts: 147 Location: Manitoba, Canada

Quite pricey! I purchased some USB to serial adapters for about 2 bucks each. they convert USB date into serial data with no setup our drivers for the arduino

cappy2112 · Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 12:52 am Post subject:

adnauseam · Joined: Mar 27, 2013 Posts: 147 Location: Manitoba, Canada

So I got mine in the mail a few days ago..

They're Mini A usb connectors. Bummer

Most devices will have Standard USB B (or sometimes USB A)at the instrument end (that's the more square, robust connector) and Standard USB A at the other end (the more rectangular, annoying connector)

So It was my fault for buying an item with a poor description and a bad photo (and also not enquiring).

They're still available on ebay for cheap, though.

*** Disclaimer: I haven't tried either of these as the ones I ordered weren't what I wanted. ***

USB A
USB B (the larger one)

I have ordered a few of the first ones. I have the most of these cables available. I plan to first try it out with my Korg NanoKontrol and later my Behringer BCR2000

gdavis · Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 11:51 am Post subject:

The difference between the "expensive" shield and the "cheap" usb to serial converter is that the shield acts as a host which can enumerate connected devices while the converter can only act as a device which must be connected to a host.

Most midi controllers are usb devices, not hosts, and will need to be connected to a host to operate.

I don't mean to be a downer, but I don't think the simple usb to serial converter is going to allow you to connect to midi controllers, you need the host shield.

adnauseam · Joined: Mar 27, 2013 Posts: 147 Location: Manitoba, Canada

I was thinking this...

That was always the downside of USB, iirc.

I guess we'll find out soon enough Smile

cappy2112 · Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 12:10 pm Post subject: Re: Arduino USB

elektromeister · Joined: Feb 18, 2013 Posts: 32 Location: Freiburg

Anynody managed to get more then one USB devices like AKAI onto his Arduino?

What is required to do that?

I need a solution to obtain data from any MIDI Controllers, like also flute and saxophone into an electronic device. Next to Controllers like lauch pads.

I wonder how it is possible to analyze them? I expect them to have all their different MIDI Protocol, or?

Grumble · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 1:57 pm Post subject:

Google for Hiduino, this is where your arduino (UNO) turns in a native !!! MIDI device, so your computer will see the arduino as a MIDI device.

And HERE you can even rename your Hiduino (give it a name that makes sense)

gdavis · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 2:27 pm Post subject:

To connect to a MIDI controller the Arduino needs to act as a USB host, not a USB device (the MIDI controller is the USB device). Uno doesn't have the hardware to act as a host, I think some others might.

I was just reminded that there is an Arduino USB host shield available. That might work. It refers to a USB host library. Hmmm, I must look into this....

Grumble · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 4:22 pm Post subject:

USB Host Shield Compatible Google Android ADK Support UNO MEGA
https://banggood.app.link/7mMbIWqpRz

Spikes · Joined: Feb 10, 2012 Posts: 14 Location: London, UK

I've built a USB MIDI to standard MIDI converter using that host shield and an Uno.
Works fine.
There is a library and examples so used that as a base.
There is a bidirectional example which no-one seems to have got working.

In my case I got a USB keyboard for playing a diy synth, that was fine but then the synth could only be used with a USB keyboard so added standard MIDI, easy to do and now can use either.

After that feature creep set in.....