Install digital recording software or MIDI software on your computer. Your computer can function as an excellent MIDI receiver, but you must install the right software. Choose any program that supports audio recording and MIDI. If you plan to connect your drum pad to a MIDI sound module rather than a computer, skip to Step 3.
Connect a MIDI adapter to your computer. Music supply stores sell PC MIDI adapters for USB ports and sometimes for FireWire ports. If you do not have a FireWire port on your PC (indicated by a broken “Y” symbol), stick with USB (indicated by a trident symbol). Connect the adapter to the appropriate port to allow for PC MIDI connectivity.
Connect a MIDI cable to your drum pad. Most MIDI drum pads support output only. This means you can only transmit information from the drum pad to a second device, and not vice versa. Connect the cable to the port labeled “MIDI-Out,” along the back side of the drum pad.
Connect the other end of your cable to the corresponding “MIDI-In” port on your PC adapter or MIDI sound module. Now, when you click the buttons on your MIDI drum pad, the machine will transmit information through the cable to your receiver device (the computer or sound module), which produces the sound.
Turn on your MIDI drum pad and turn on your sound module or load your computer software. When working with MIDI receivers, you must choose an instrument using your MIDI menu. For example, audio recording programs will contain a menu called “Software Instruments,” "Virtual Instruments” or sometimes “Software Synthesizers,” and sound modules will contain a menu called “Instruments,” “Presets” or “Voices.” Locate the menu and choose any percussion instrument.
Begin pressing the buttons on your drum pad. If you cannot hear sound on your sound module, locate the “MIDI Channels” menu on your receiver and set the device for channel 10. Some older devices still use general MIDI specifications, which allocates percussion to channel 10.