Connecting electronic music gear gets easier when you separate two jobs: audio carries sound, while MIDI carries performance instructions. A synthesizer may need both connections to send its sound to speakers and control another instrument. Start by checking the ports and manuals for each device, then map the signal path before plugging in. This guide covers common cables, practical setup examples, and quick checks for problems—so you can build a reliable rig without guessing.
Audio Carries the Sound
Audio connections carry the actual sound from an instrument, sampler, or drum machine to a mixer, audio interface, recorder, or speakers. Common outputs include 1/4-inch jacks and, on some devices, RCA or XLR connectors. Check whether an output is mono or stereo: a single mono output needs one cable, while a stereo output usually needs two, marked Left/Mono and Right.
For recording, connect the instrument’s output to an input on your audio interface or mixer. Match the connection type and set the input level so the signal is strong without clipping. If your instrument has a headphone output, use it for monitoring when appropriate, but avoid assuming it is the best recording output; consult the manual and choose the dedicated audio output when available.
MIDI Sends Performance Data
MIDI does not transmit sound. It sends instructions such as which note to play, how hard to play it, and when to stop. Traditional MIDI uses five-pin DIN connectors labeled In, Out, and sometimes Thru. Connect one device’s MIDI Out to the receiving device’s MIDI In. For a two-way exchange, connect each device’s Out to the other’s In.
Many newer instruments send MIDI over USB. A USB connection may carry MIDI, audio, or both, depending on the device, so check its specifications. To control a software instrument, connect the keyboard to the computer and select it as the MIDI input in your music software. To play an external synthesizer from that software, route MIDI to the synth and connect the synth’s audio output separately.
Plan a Simple Signal Path
For a basic computer recording setup, connect the instrument’s audio output to an interface input, then connect the interface to the computer by USB or another supported link. Connect headphones or speakers to the interface for listening. In the recording software, choose the interface, select the correct input, and create an audio track. If you also need note control, connect MIDI separately and choose the instrument as the track’s MIDI destination.
For a hardware setup, send each instrument’s audio outputs to mixer inputs, then connect the mixer’s main outputs to speakers or a recording interface. Use MIDI connections only between devices that need to exchange performance data. Labeling cables and noting which mixer channel belongs to each instrument can make changes and troubleshooting much faster.
Check Connections and Levels
If you hear no sound, check the instrument’s volume, cable placement, mixer or interface input selection, and speaker or headphone connection. Confirm that the track is armed or monitoring in your recording software, and that the software uses the intended interface. Test one cable and one device at a time to narrow down the issue.
If MIDI notes do not trigger a sound, confirm that MIDI Out reaches the receiving device’s MIDI In and that both devices use compatible channel settings. Then check the software’s input and output routing. Remember that MIDI alone will not make sound unless it reaches a sound-producing instrument or software instrument, and that instrument’s audio is connected to a listening or recording device.
Think of audio as the sound path and MIDI as the control path. Identify each device’s ports, connect one signal at a time, and verify levels and routing before adding more gear. Once you know what each cable carries, expanding a setup becomes much more manageable. For help choosing compatible connections, talk with a knowledgeable instrument retailer.