Absolute Beginners Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC

Application #7: Playing a Digital Piano or Synthesizer

This might seem like a niche application, but it's becoming more and more popular thanks to the number of interactive piano-instruction programs available for today's PCs. Most digital pianos and synthesizers come equipped with built-in MIDI capabilities, and can be connected to any standard home PC.

To connect a musical keyboard to your PC, you either need a high-end sound card with MIDI connectors, an expensive audio breakout box, or (the preferred approach for most users) an inexpensive MIDI-to-game port adapter. This adapter, like the one shown in Figure 11.2, connects between the game port on the back of your system unit or sound card and the MIDI cable running from your instrument.

Here's what you need, then, to upgrade your system for musical instrument playback:

Upgrade Checklist for Connecting a Musical Keyboard

Open game port on your system unit or sound card (see Chapter 3)

MIDI/game port adapter

Digital piano or synthesizer with MIDI Out jack

Audio instruction, sequencing, or recording software