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MIDI Please Help!!! I'M GOING CRAZY!

timendous

timendous

Jul 1, 2009
1,797
1,992
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Ohio
#1
I have been googling so much and cannot find what seems like should be a simple answer.

I want to pick up a simple MIDI keyboard, connect it to my Android phone, and use it to run a DAW (at least I think that's what a DAW is, something I can use to use the keyboard to make synthy pad type sounds). I feel like I understand how to do that, that it's pretty straightforward. Midi out, USB C in to my phone.

My question that I cannot for the life of me figure out is: how the heck to I then get the sound to come out of my bass amp??? My phone doesn't have a 3.5mm out (Google Pixel 7) it only has the USB C port.

I know this sounds silly but I feel like a moron, "how do I get the sounds out of this thing??"

I have no interest in recording and making tracks and beats and songs, I literally just want to be able to play pads on a little keyboard. Seems like something that should be simple but I'm having a heck of a time figuring it out.

So,if anyone can help, please explain it to me like I'm 5. I don't understand the terminology like "audio interface" "DAW" "controller" etc. I just want to connect the MIDI keyboard to my phone and then have the sounds come out of my bass amp.

Please, please, please help!
 
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#2
Last edited:
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#3
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#4
monsterthompson said:


USB-C To 3.5 mm Audio Headphone Jack Adapter with 60W USB-C PD 3.0 Fast Charging Aluminum Type C Adapter for Hi-Res Aux Dongle Cable Samsung S20/Ultra/Note10, Pixel 5 4a 4 3, iPad Pro 2020/2018 - Walmart.com

I haven’t tried this arrangement but it seems to what you need. My main concern would be if the dongle provides enough power to a usb keyboard. It should would be my guess.
Click to expand...


Thank you both! I'll watch that video when I get a break at work. So if I get something like this, I could plug the keyboard into the female end of this jack, plug the male end into my phone, then a 3.5mm to standard instrument cable end into the amp?

I think the keyboard has it's own power supply, but I'll double check on that.
 
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#6
monsterthompson said:
d'oh, i missed a link. you might need another dongle for usb-c to to usb-whatever for the keyboard.
Click to expand...
Yeah I don't know about using the USB-c port for both keyboard midi input and sound output, simultaneously, but it seems like it should be possible with the right widgets (splitters, adapters, dongles, &etc.) ;)
 
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#7
Thanks y'all. I just can't believe this isn't a more common thing.

I know some of the newer MIDI keyboards have Bluetooth which would be great because you can connect it and then just use the USB C as the output. They're more expensive, but maybe worth the cost when I get to adding up all the dongles, etc.
 
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#8
I think it’s not uncommon, just that you need to know what terms to search. The consolidation of the audio output and usb connection in past few years seems to complicate the process.

Apple has Camera Connection Kits which seem to address the issue for iPhone users but that doesn’t help you with your device.

Not to muddy the waters, but there also quite a few relatively affordable ($300-$500 new) small keyboard synths available now which could remove the phone from the equation. Depending on the cost of adapters and the headache of connecting it all, something like a $225 used Novation Circuit might be worth a look.
 
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#9
So, I'm really only wanting to use this for some living room jams that we have with friends.

I'm thinking if I get a decent Bluetooth speaker, I can connect the keyboard to the phone and then just have the audio come out Bluetooth to the speaker :)
 
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#11
Phones are in this weird place of being way more powerful than laptops were just a few years ago, but also severely lack the flexibility and features of a computer.

I would suggest a USB interface with MIDI in/out. USB-C goes to your phone, keyboard goes to MIDI in, output goes to whatever you plug it into. It's a little more costly, but less headache than a bunch of dongles and doodads, most of which will also have issues with noise and signal crosstalk.
 
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#12
J Posega said:
Phones are in this weird place of being way more powerful than laptops were just a few years ago, but also severely lack the flexibility and features of a computer.

I would suggest a USB interface with MIDI in/out. USB-C goes to your phone, keyboard goes to MIDI in, output goes to whatever you plug it into. It's a little more costly, but less headache than a bunch of dongles and doodads, most of which will also have issues with noise and signal crosstalk.
Click to expand...

Can you give me an example of that kind of device?
 
#14
timendous said:
Can you give me an example of that kind of device?
Click to expand...

Something like a MOTU M2 might exist for non iOS phones. The literature on this specifies iOS so it might not work with your phone.
M2 | MOTU.com

Side note - a buddy of mine developed a recording app several years ago (so phones may be different now) and he limited the app to iPhones because there was so much variation in the hardware used on other phones that it made it hard to account for those variables. He found that iPhone ecosystem made for a simpler development process. I’m sure if the app had been successful enough there would have been a budget to address the variables in other phones, but that’s not how things played out.
 
#15
If you’re not looking to record, I’d eliminate the phone all together and get a small, entry level digital synth. I have an Arturia MicroFreak that was about $500 CAD and is fun and easy to use. I’m sure there’s cheaper options that would fit your needs too if you’re just looking for some default patches.

The problem with running adaptors or Bluetooth is that you introduce latency, assuming that the adaptors all play nice together.
 
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#16
There is something as simple (and cheap) as this.

ZTGD Audio Adapter, Adapter USB C to 3.5mm AUX Jack Aluminum Alloy Audio Headphone Cable for Music https://a.co/d/1wto1nM

Edit: Which I now see someone posted a similar adapter above.
 
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#17
JKos said:
There is something as simple (and cheap) as this.

ZTGD Audio Adapter, Adapter USB C to 3.5mm AUX Jack Aluminum Alloy Audio Headphone Cable for Music https://a.co/d/1wto1nM

Edit: Which I now see someone posted a similar adapter above.
Click to expand...

Yeah I've been looking at those. It seems almost too simple to be the solution but then again, this feels like it should be simple. I dunno how using this adapter would be that much different than if the phone had separate USB C and headphone ports on it to begin with. Right?
 
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#18
timendous said:
I have been googling so much and cannot find what seems like should be a simple answer.

I want to pick up a simple MIDI keyboard, connect it to my Android phone, and use it to run a DAW (at least I think that's what a DAW is, something I can use to use the keyboard to make synthy pad type sounds). I feel like I understand how to do that, that it's pretty straightforward. Midi out, USB C in to my phone.

My question that I cannot for the life of me figure out is: how the heck to I then get the sound to come out of my bass amp??? My phone doesn't have a 3.5mm out (Google Pixel 7) it only has the USB C port.

I know this sounds silly but I feel like a moron, "how do I get the sounds out of this thing??"

I have no interest in recording and making tracks and beats and songs, I literally just want to be able to play pads on a little keyboard. Seems like something that should be simple but I'm having a heck of a time figuring it out.

So,if anyone can help, please explain it to me like I'm 5. I don't understand the terminology like "audio interface" "DAW" "controller" etc. I just want to connect the MIDI keyboard to my phone and then have the sounds come out of my bass amp.

Please, please, please help!
Click to expand...
You need to either get an adapter for your phone to run a 1/4" cable out of it, or an adapter for your cable to convert it to a 1/4" plug.
 

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