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How to Chain MIDI Devices

Chaining two or more MIDI keyboards, drum machines or other instruments together allows you to control multiple devices using one set of controls. When you chain a MIDI keyboard to a MIDI sequencer, for example, pressing a button on the keyboard will send a MIDI signal to the sequencer. The sequencer then sends the MIDI signal to the next device in the chain, and so on. The first device in the chain is the "master;" all other devices in the chain are the "slaves."

Things You'll Need

  • MIDI cables
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Instructions

    • 1

      Arrange the devices in the order in which you want to chain them. The first device in the chain controls all the subsequent devices; the second device in the chain controls all devices but the first, and so on.

    • 2

      Connect a MIDI cable to the MIDI Out jack on the first device. Plug the other end of the MIDI cable into the MIDI In jack on the second device.

    • 3

      Plug a second MIDI cable into the MIDI Thru jack on the second device. If the device has a MIDI Out/MIDI Thru switch, set it to "MIDI Thru."

    • 4

      Plug the other end of the cable into the MIDI In jack on the third device. Connect a third MIDI cable to the MIDI Thru jack on the third device. Repeat the process until you've connected all of the devices that you want to chain together.

    • 5

      Press a key or move a control on the first device in the chain. The device sends the MIDI signal down the chain to the rest of the devices.

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Digital Music

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