Midi cables - are they created equal?

Sassafras · September 2023

I need to link 2 synths together via midi but I know zilch about midi.
Do cables vary much?
Which brands won't give me any problems?

Sporky · September 2023

MIDI is fairly slow and fairly robust, so unless you're doing silly distances the cables are much of a muchness.

Sassafras · September 2023

Thanks.
No long distances. No more than a metre.

Jono111 · September 2023

there are different pinouts depending on what you are connecting, type A and type B. I think Boss is different to both

Sassafras · September 2023

Jono111 said:

there are different pinouts depending on what you are connecting, type A and type B. I think Boss is different to both

Interesting. I'll have to check.

Sporky · September 2023

Jono111 said:

there are different pinouts depending on what you are connecting, type A and type B. I think Boss is different to both

Isn't that only for MIDI on TRS?

sgosden · September 2023

Sporky said:

Jono111 said:

there are different pinouts depending on what you are connecting, type A and type B. I think Boss is different to both

Isn't that only for MIDI on TRS?

yeah.
5pin to 5 pin will be the same both ends.

A & B refer to where the signal pins are on TRS

Sassafras · September 2023

I've just been offered 5 cables from another forumite.

TDubs · September 2023

I bought some inexpensive midi cables in the last couple of years for live use with a guitar. They failed (no comms transmitting) and so purchased some more expensive Roland midi cables. One of these failed too!

Sporky · September 2023

DIN plugs are pretty crap.

Not as crap as SCART, or VISCA, or EDAC, but pretty crap.

prowla · September 2023

Signal-wise, the cable is either MIDI or it isn't and MIDI should work over pretty mundane cables.

You've then got the question of ruggedness - how much general use, misuse, being trodden on, bent, coiled, and so-on they can take; that's where more heavy-duty ones can be a better buy.

A spindly cheapo one may not be particularly up to going on tour, so it is probably worth spending a bit more.

There's also the fact that the 5-pin DIN plug is not a particularly robust unit - Preh make probably the best ones, but I've never seen them on a MIDI cable.

Me, I'd buy the ones which look like they have a bit of substance to them, but would also carry some spares.

GavRichList · September 2023

I rely on them live for both rich list and gallops and have to run a midi cable across the stage so I didn’t cheap out on that one. Metal ended ones for live use, but for home use midi is pretty much midi. Hosa do them for buttons and they’re perfectly fine.

Gadget · September 2023

Not all MIDI cables have all pins connected. Check what your equipment requires.

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Midi cables - are they created equal?

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