MIDI via Bluetooth (with non-Bluetooth keyboard)

[delor7]

Hi,

Sorry if this is a silly question, but here goes:

I have an M-Audio Keystation that I connect to my laptop with a USB cable in order to use it with various instrument VSTs in my DAW.

The keyboard doesn't have built-in bluetooth capability, but I was wondering if there is any kind of USB bluetooth adapter with which I could connect the keyboard to my laptop wirelessly?

Thanks for any help.

 

[happyrat1]

Not that I know of. You'd need some sort of USB to HOST Bluetooth adapter which I don't think anyone makes.

You're stuck with the cable dude.

Gary

 

[SeaGtGruff]

Maybe. If it has a standard MIDI connector, you could try something like the following:

MD-BT01 - Overview - Yamaha USA

Bluetooth wireless MIDI adaptor for connecting instruments with MIDI IN/OUT terminals to your iOS devices (iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch) or Mac

usa.yamaha.com

The only type of USB adapter I know of requires connecting the keyboard to the adapter via standard USB cable, then the adapter plugs into a USB power adapter. The adapter broadcasts Bluetooth to your computer. But I don't know of a simple USB-type-B-to-Bluetooth dongle.

UD-BT01 - Overview - Yamaha USA

Bluetooth wireless MIDI adapter for connecting instruments with a USB TO HOST terminal to your iOS devices (iPhone/iPad/iPod touch) or Mac

usa.yamaha.com

 

[RMepstead]

This what I use - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07L5B64RG/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item - and there's no latency which you get with Bluetooth.

 

[Synthuaxed]

This what I use - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07L5B64RG/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item - and there's no latency which you get with Bluetooth.

This is an audio device. How would one use this to transmit MIDI data?

 

[b3keys]

Hi,

Sorry if this is a silly question, but here goes:

I have an M-Audio Keystation that I connect to my laptop with a USB cable in order to use it with various instrument VSTs in my DAW.

The keyboard doesn't have built-in bluetooth capability, but I was wondering if there is any kind of USB bluetooth adapter with which I could connect the keyboard to my laptop wirelessly?

Thanks for any help.

Everything I've read about "bluetooth" .... well.... its NOT the way to go. Bandwidth & latency... HORRIBLE... (and if your trying to listen to what your playing... any "delay" will definitely F' you up)...

 

[RMepstead]

This is an audio device. How would one use this to transmit MIDI data?

One wouldn't...basically...only sound...

 

[Synthuaxed]

One wouldn't...basically...only sound...

So this would not help the original problem involving a MIDI-only instrument.

 

[Synthuaxed]

Everything I've read about "bluetooth" .... well.... its NOT the way to go. Bandwidth & latency... HORRIBLE... (and if your trying to listen to what your playing... any "delay" will definitely F' you up)...

Right. My limited experience with Bluetooth (MIDI keyboard > laptop > Bluetooth speaker) was terrible. Extreme lag. But that was audio over Bluetooth, which I believe involves a lot more data than MIDI, so it's possible that MIDI over BT might be playable.

 

[RMepstead]

So this would not help the original problem involving a MIDI-only instrument.

I had no idea what a M-Audio Keystation is - so if the the M stands for Midi fair enough...cheers.

 

[happyrat1]

M-Audio Keystation is one of their bottom of the line "dumb" MIDI controllers. (ie. it has no built in sounds) It is also USB only I believe so his options are minimal.

Even if the devices @SeaGtGruff linked do work as advertised, they will only work if they come with drivers that his software will recognize at the computer end.

Gary

 

[reathpd]

I’ve used a PUC+ to connect my keyboard to my iPad.

 

[Biggles]

I had no idea what a M-Audio Keystation is - so if the the M stands for Midi fair enough...cheers.

M-Audio is the Company name and they produce keyboard controllers, speakers, audio devices, mikes and accessories.

 

[SeaGtGruff]

The M-Audio web page for the Keystation 88 shows that it has a MIDI OUT port in addition to USB. The OP didn't say it was 88 keys, but hopefully the others are the same. I think most of M-Audio's keyboard controllers include a MIDI OUT port, although I haven't checked all of them.

I think that the MIDI Bluetooth adapter I mentioned should work without drivers, but that might depend on the computer OS. The web page for it says it works with iOS and macOS devices, presumably because they've got built-in support for Bluetooth MIDI.

The thing I'm not sure about is whether the adapter works if you plug just one side of it in. I don't know why that would make a difference, and I presume the only reason the two plugs are joined together is for convenience, so they don't get separated and lost.