The Best Midi Interface – Ultimate Buying Guide

Trying to find the best midi interface to your music recording arsenal but not sure where to start?

MIDI interfaces are a great tool for creative musicians who want to experiment with different instruments on their compositions. With tons of features packed into products in the market, MIDI interfaces vary in pricing and product density.

It can be tricky picking out the right MIDI interface for you and your home recording studio. You might not know which MIDI interfaces are compatible with your computer, how many ports you might need, and whether any of these new ‘state-of-the-art features’ even matter.

Don’t sweat it.

We’ll run you through all the MIDI basics, why you might need one (or not need one) and all the things you need to know before you get your own MIDI interface.

Before we get into the guide, here's a list of our recommend products.  Please note, we will be discussing more about these products later in the article...

What is a MIDI Interface?

Imagine all your music-making devices could communicate perfectly with each other?

Yes, we said communicate - and thanks to MIDI, that's a reality.

MIDI interfaces have a rich and exuberant history. Over 30 years after its creation, it is still widely used in live performances and studio recordings.

But what is MIDI?

MIDI (Music Instrument Digital Interface) sends signals to other controllers such as synths and keyboard controllers to operate digitally on computers. Unlike audio transmissions, it does not carry sound. Instead, it transmits data that is formed into binary codes (1's and zeros).

Think of these interfaces as a TV remote control. Your TV has a bunch of different controls built into it like turning on/off, raising the volume, or switching channels. When you use your remote control, you are sending signals to the TV to perform these tasks.

MIDI interfaces do the same thing. They act as a remote control to playing music inside of a device or computer.  

So what exactly are they s​ending​​​​?

MIDI Messages

What's most interesting about MIDI, are the messages themselves. These messages record specific actions. MIDI has a lot of signals including the velocity of a note turning on/off, modulation wheels, pitch wheels, and many more.

MIDI messages can be sent over 16 different channels. Within each channel, there is an assigned patch. These patches are basically instruments, and there are 1 to 128 to choose from.

Some of the most common messages include:

• What was played/pressed in the instrument? (This tells the computer what note to play)
• The velocity of the press? (This tells the computer the speed of the note)
• The tension of the press? (This tells the computer the loudness of the note)

How do MIDI Interfaces Work?

So you got the idea of what MIDI interfaces are; now how do they work exactly?

Let’s say for example you have a keyboard synth, and you want to send the information to your computer. You’re going to need to link everything up with the correct MIDI cables via MIDI ports.

MIDI ports have a MIDI out, a MIDI in, and MIDI thru.  These ports are typically found at the back of MIDI devices like keyboard synths or sound modules.

• MIDI out sends data to other MIDI devices and should be linked to a MIDI in.
• MIDI in receives data from an external source and should always be connected to a MIDI out.
• MIDI thru receives the same exact data as the MIDI in.  However, it doesn’t generate messages from its own module.

Many MIDI interfaces have not just one, but several ports to connect to. We’ll go into more detail later, on the different sets of ports available and why you might need more than just one.

Difference Between a MIDI Interface and an Audio Interface

While most beginners believe that audio interfaces are the go-to road to seamless music, many disregard MIDI interfaces. It's also a common mistake for people to confuse them as being the same thing. To understand the difference between the two we need to go back to the basics of both.

What is being recorded?

As we know by now, MIDI interfaces record the performance progress visually, like what notes you're playing, when you play them, and how loud. On the other hand, audio interfaces record the sound of the instrument itself.

How does it look on your computer?

So now we know that MIDI carries codes, and audio carries sound. How do they look when transferred to your computer?

MIDI doesn’t come up in audio waveform instead it comes up as chunks of data per note. These chunks of data are compiled up of bytes. Audio interfaces, however, come up on your screen in the traditional soundwave format.

How do they behave differently?

MIDI is more versatile than audio. Since MIDI comes up as information on how it was played, there is a lot more to play around with. For example, you can manipulate virtual instruments into playing the exact notes with the correct tension. Audio, however, limits a lot of these options and actions.

When you hit a wrong note, or it was held too long, the audio interface typically records it. Once it's been transmitted into sound waves, it can be hard to change it, and you usually have to go back and record it again. One of the great things about MIDI is you don't have to repeat the process. Instead, once it's recorded on your device or computer, you can edit the performance.

Why do I need a MIDI Interface?

As we mentioned previously, MIDI interfaces are a versatile piece of recording gear. There are a ton of different uses for these devices. Let’s take a look at a few.

To connect a Keyboard or module to the computer

This is probably one of the most common reasons people invest in a MIDI interface. Maybe you have a sound module like a keyboard and you want to connect it to your DAW (digital audio workstation) like Ableton or Cubase. Only it doesn’t have a USB outlet.

Say you have a sampler with some sounds you like that you want to use in a current composition you have already made.  A MIDI interface will help send the note information and controls telling your sampler to play the sound you selected based on the notation the MIDI has sent. So you could play a piano keyboard composition but transfer it to the sampler and make it sound like an organ.

Syncing gear to a computer

MIDI is excellent in the sense that it organizes everything in your DAW software. If you have a specific composition, sequence, or previously recorded track, you can synchronize them on your computer using a MIDI interface.

Connecting to alternative devices

Supposing you've got yourself a keyboard and you want to link it up to your new IPad or iPhone, and use synth or sampling apps from it. You don't have to go out and buy a new controller keyboard to get the job done. USB MIDI interfaces do all that for you.

Backing up data

This is a less common use of MIDI interfaces but doesn't fall short on this list. MIDI interfaces can, in fact, back up data. Most MIDI equipment and synths can backup data through a bulk dump called System Exclusive (SysEx). This means that the information that is sent through a MIDI output can be recorded by the device. So if your equipment crashes, it can be restored.

One example is that iPhones and iPads can be used as a MIDI backup device; recording all data via a MIDI interface application to back up. You can then easily use your iPhone or iPad to backup any lost data if your gear crashes.

Connecting multiple MIDI devices

If you already have an audio interface with MIDI connections and it's working great with all your gear, over time, you might want to think about expanding your studio and getting more gear. More equipment means you might run out of ports or channels. This means you will need to buy more MIDI interfaces to supply enough ports for all your gear.

What to Consider before Buying a Midi Interface

With new technological advancements, MIDI interfaces aren’t what they used to be. In the past decade, MIDI interfaces have upgraded their features and compatibility options to suit the modern-day musician.

There are a few things we believe you should be looking out for when picking one.

There are basic interfaces that have an input and output; these are relatively easy to use and are not expensive. Other more advanced interfaces are a little higher up in the price range, but with more features including more MIDI ports.

It all comes down to your specific needs.

We've listed a few features you might want to look into to narrow down the options.

Number of MIDI Ports (Input/Output/Thru)

This all comes down to how many MIDI modules you have. If you have one keyboard that you want to hook up to your computer, a simple 1x1 port is what you’re looking for.

However, if you’re looking to hook up multiple modules, it’s a good idea to look for a MIDI interface that has as many ports as your gear needs. The available ports are:

• 2x2 → 32 MIDI channels
• 4x4 →64 MIDI channels
• 8x8 → 128 MIDI channels

There are other ports such as 1x1, 3x3 or 10x10.  However, these are less common in the market.

HINT: You can link up one MIDI interface to another, expanding the number of ports and channels. So for example, you have two 8x8 devices with the ports hooked up, you get a whopping 1,024 MIDI channels

Connectivity – (Computer, Wireless)

While some MIDI interfaces are linked through a traditional 5-pin MIDI cable, technological advancements have deemed these insufficient.

USB MIDI interfaces have been flocking the market in recent years due to the ability to link it up to your laptop/desktop. Some MIDI interfaces come with a Y cable (one output, one input and USB connector). We’ll introduce class-compliant USB MIDI interfaces later on in this section.

With the emergence of the age of wireless, newer MIDI interfaces don’t need cables to connect to devices at all. This not only saves you a lot of setup time but also space; avoiding a mesh of MIDI cables in your studio.

Power

MIDI interfaces can be powered in different ways. One is the traditional AC power cable that limits mobility. However, if you have a stable and settled workstation, then this is great for you.

Another option is USB interfaces, which are powered directly from the device. This an excellent choice for mobile setups. We’ll list a few different USB and AC powered MIDI interfaces later on.

Mac/PC Compatibility – (OS)

It is essential to know whether your interface is compatible with the operating system of your device/computer. Many MIDI interfaces that are sold on the market are designed with compatibility in mind, whether it’s a Mac, IOS, or Windows.

Keep in mind that while some work perfectly for these operating systems, others are specialized for Apple based devices like an iPad or Mac or vice versa for Windows.

Class Compliant USB MIDI

Class-compliant MIDI interfaces have a ‘plug-in-play- style` approach, meaning they don’t require additional drivers to operate. While most class-compliant USB interfaces can run on any IOS device, some devices don’t work with older operating systems.

This falls hand in hand with the IOS compatibility factor that was previously discussed. Do your research before purchasing a MIDI device, and make sure your IOS is up to date on the device to avoid any disappointment.

Cost

MIDI interfaces can span a whole slew of price ranges. You can find simple 1x1 interfaces that sit comfortably in the $40 range while others can fall in the 100’s and even thousands.

Budget is an important factor you might want to consider as you may find yourself spending more than you thought for features you may not need. It ultimately comes down to how many ports and features you’re looking for.

Additional Features to Consider

When choosing your ideal interface, it's a good idea to consider all the features that come with (or don't come with) the device.  If you’re only looking to perform or sequence, then a basic model will suit your needs just fine.

Expandability is a common factor when it comes to choosing the right device. You should always take into consideration the long run of your purchase, and any extra gear you may be adding to your home studio in the near future. MIDI interfaces that are expandable can easily accommodate to these future buying decisions.

Another important factor is the mobility of the device.

Is it going to be sitting in a home studio undisturbed? Or do you want to use it on your iPad or Laptop?

The mobility depends on the power and connectivity features of the MIDI interface.

Those looking to synchronize MIDI compositions into video, like ‘film scoring’, will require an interface with far more features than an audio-only MIDI device. Some of these features include video sync features/options and Alesis Digital Audio Tape (ADAT) synchronization. There are many features to choose from, so looking into these options is essential if video is your end game.

A List of the Best Midi Interfaces we Recommend

So now we’ve given you a little brief on MIDI interfaces, how they work and what to expect and look for when choosing one; maybe you want a few options to get you started.