Connecting External MIDI Keyboards and Controllers

If you have only one MIDI keyboard, then make sure that you have a genuine MIDI lead (available from most musical equipment shops) and connect it between the 'MIDI Out' port on the keyboard and the 'MIDI In' port on the computer. Many multipurpose sound cards need a special adapter lead to allow you to connect a MIDI lead to a joystick port, which can be obtained from most computer equipment shops. Check the MIDI channel on which the keyboard is set to transmit MIDI data, consulting the manual for the instrument, and note down the result.

If you have more than one MIDI keyboard and have a multi-input MIDI interface for your computer, connect the MIDI output port from each keyboard to a free MIDI input port on the computer and note down which keyboard is attached to which port, and on which MIDI channel each keyboard is set to transmit, as above.

If you have more than one MIDI keyboard and only one MIDI input port on your computer, you will need to obtain a 'MIDI merge box'. Connect the MIDI output port from each keyboard to a free input port on the MIDI merge box, then connect the output port from the merge box to the MIDI input port on your computer. Check the MIDI transmission channels, as for the preceding configurations, and ensure that all keyboards are set to transmit on a unique MIDI channel, noting down the channel numbers. If they are not, then adjust them, consulting the documentation for the keyboards.

The organ pedalboard is effectively another keyboard, played by the feet. If you have one, attach it as for the keyboards and note the MIDI transmission channel.

If you other MIDI controllers, such as a guitar effects processor or MIDI volume pedal, attach the MIDI output ports from these to free MIDI input ports on the computer (or merge box) and note the transmission channel of each.

The MIDI output channels of any devices that are connected to a MIDI merge box must always be distinct.

Ensure that all devices are turned on and that power is supplied to any MIDI merge boxes.

Note that you should also be able to control Hauptwerk from a MIDI church organ. The configuration is similar to connecting one or more keyboards. Hauptwerk has a special facility to control the organ stops using MIDI note on/off messages which are transmitted from these instruments. Note down the channels on which the MIDI organ is transmitting from each manual (keyboard) and the pedalboard, together with the channel on which it is sending note on/off messages to control the stops and channels and controller numbers for the swell (expression) pedals.

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