>>1. There are PCMCIA cards with the 15-pin GamePort/MPU-401 MIDI connector. These then require a fairly standard 15-pin-to-MIDI cable.<<
These (at least used to be) very difficult to find. We had a couple here in the office and I seem to remember lots of problems with them... >>2. If the MIDI device has a "TO HOST" port, and the laptop has a 9-pin serial port, the CCIBM cable can connect them.<< I've never been able to make this work reliably. (I have a MIDIMan BiPort 2x2 that has this capability and the longest I could get it to work was about 3 hours). There's something about serial ports that makes 'em really flaky. I've seen the Extigy and a whole host of USB MIDI interfaces at various music and technology stores. You might have to go into the (shudder--just kidding) Mac section to get an interface--they often put them with the Mac software, despite the availability of Windows drivers. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brad Beyenhof Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 2:03 PM To: Andrew J. Fox Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Finale] midi capable laptop a dream? On Tuesday, February 3, 2004, at 11:37 AM, Andrew J. Fox wrote: > I want to add a laptop to my studio (piano teaching) and I would like > it to have a sound card - either internal or external - that I can > plug my midi keyboard into. I've just started shopping and I'm getting > blank stares from the sales help. Do I have unreasonable expectations? > Are any of you working with PC laptops with Finale? All three methods of standard PC-to-MIDI connections should work with the right hardware: 1. There are PCMCIA cards with the 15-pin GamePort/MPU-401 MIDI connector. These then require a fairly standard 15-pin-to-MIDI cable. 2. If the MIDI device has a "TO HOST" port, and the laptop has a 9-pin serial port, the CCIBM cable can connect them. 3. A USB MIDI cable (Like the Midisport 1x1), along with a pair of standard MIDI cables (sometimes included), can connect them. Other than #3, you will likely have to purchase online to find what you want. I've seen the Midisport in Guitar Center and in Sam Ash, though. #1 is the oldest and most "tried-and-true," #2 is great if you've got the right equipment AND you've downloaded good driver software, and #3 is the most cutting-edge (I haven't had much long-lasting success with that solution on a desktop). I haven't used any of these on a laptop, but with the correct connections and any Windows OS you shouldn't run into any incurable snags. -- Brad Beyenhof [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ Finale mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale _______________________________________________ Finale mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale
