MIDI Cable Review

If you're looking to buy a MIDI cable, you're probably familiar with Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) technology. Since its inception in 1982, MIDI quickly became the international standard for recording, transferring and reproducing digitally encoded musical data – including the frequency, tone, pitch, velocity, duration and sequence of each note, or "MIDI event," within a chord progression or melody – between separate pieces of audio equipment during every stage of music production, from sequencing and recording to real-time reproduction during live performances. MIDI cables connect these audio equipment components – which can include multiple synthesizers, keyboards, sequencers, tone generators, effects-chain processors, controllers, drum machines, mixing boards, digital recorders and computers – in both simple and complex chains to transfer MIDI-event information in serial or multi-directional configurations.

MIDI protocol was standardized when keyboard synthesizers were becoming a commonly used instrument in electronic, pop, rock and jazz music. Audio engineers modified existing audio cables to transfer digital note information between synthesizers, processors and mixing boards. Today's MIDI cables are still relatively simple audio cables that consist of shielded wiring inside a rubber casing with a DIN connector at both ends – with either three, five or seven connector pins (or combinations with asymmetrical pin configurations to connect a three-pin device with five-pin controller, for example) – that interface with the MIDI input and output ports on instruments and audio equipment.

As you can see, MIDI is an important and widely applicable tool for musicians of all genres that streamlines the process of recording and playing music with multiple instruments and processors. Learning to use this technology and the MIDI cables that transfer the digital note information can improve your ability to make music that sounds the way you want it to while automating many of the steps to save yourself time and stress headaches. For more information, be sure to read our articles on MIDI cables as well as our Mogami MIDI Synchro, Pro Co Excellines and Planet Waves Custom Series MIDI cable reviews.

MIDI Cables: What to Look For

We evaluated the best MIDI cables in terms of their features, durability, options, and the quality and quantity of each manufacturer's help and support systems, and we ranked each one using the following criteria:

Features
We looked for 5 pin MIDI cables that are made from quality materials that provide the best error-free data transmission. Some of the aspects we evaluated include: the materials used to construct the wiring, conductors, shields, insulation and jackets that comprise the cables; the materials and construction of the connectors; and the configuration of the MIDI wire connections to the pins in the DIN connectors.

Durability
We evaluated each brand in terms of its longevity and reputation among both amateur and professional audio engineers and musicians. In this heavily weighted category, we offer our conclusion regarding the quality of each cable and its anticipated lifespan so that you can choose the best MIDI cables to use for the kind of music you make and the instruments with which you make it.

Options
The MIDI connectors highlighted in this review site are either five or six feet in length, with five-pin male-to-male DIN connectors and mostly black jackets. In the options category, we list the other lengths, colors and pin configurations available from each manufacturer, as well as the other types of cables they make, such as dual MIDI cables and USB MIDI interface cables, and whether they sell their cable in bulk to allow you to customize or build your own cables.

Help & Support
In this category, we evaluated each MIDI cord manufacturer in terms of the quality of their technical support staff, the methods they provide for contacting support, and whether they have online FAQs, articles and product manuals, specifications and literature.

No matter which instrument you play or how you use MIDI technology, you can't do anything without cables. Read our comprehensive review site to choose the brand that's best for what you do from our lineup of the top 10 MIDI cables. For all the latest technology news and gadgets, be sure to check out our Facebook Fan page and follow us on Twitter @TopTenREVIEWS.

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