I am looking for an old mac (period 1993-1996) that has a standard 5-pin midi connector. Whether that's a MIDI controller, or MIDI interface card within a computer it doesn't matter. I would like to connect a roland mt-32 there. Does anyone know which old mac models have midi connector?
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2009, November 15 - 11:27am
#1
Old Mac With 5-pin midi connector
Comments
2009, November 15 - 1:57pm
#2
I don't think any Macs ever came with MIDI connectors, but there were third-party controllers that you could hook up through the serial port. Finding one might be a challenge, though.
2009, November 16 - 3:29pm
#3
I used to see them (the interfaces) on eBay from time to time, but I haven't looked for a couple of years. You would need some software that could work with that sort of interface, too.
2009, November 16 - 4:03pm
#4
how do they look like these controllers? Can you give me a site with pictures? And what software do i need? i want to check on ebay.
2009, November 16 - 4:06pm
#5
Usually a beige box with a serial cord. I don't remember anything else. I would just search for mac midi or for just "midi" in the vintage mac section. Try the 68kmla.net forums too; I'm sure someone there knows more than I do.
2009, November 16 - 6:18pm
#6
Apple never offered Macs with built-in MIDI or other Sound devices.
That would have to call the other Apple-named firm, Apple Corpse, *) onto the theatre stage.
*) I mean that, really!
2010, January 15 - 10:33pm
#7
Now, now, now Apple Corpse were around a good 10 years before Apple (once Computer) Inc. came into being. And it does seem fair, that if Apple (née Apple Computer) Inc want to keep their name, then they should not get involved in what Apple Corpse are doing, namely music and living off dead beatles.
2010, January 15 - 10:22am
#8
I have connected midiman macman midi interface to the computer (PERFORMA 6116) with a serial adb cable. Then i connected a 5-pin midi cable. The one edge to the midiman at midi out port and the other edge to roland mt-32 at midi in port. The midiman macman has only the power light turned on and not the other lights( midi in and out). I have copied the midi manager file to extension folder but when i try to run some sierra games that support roland a message comes out that 'cannot find any midi clients or midi ports' What should i do?
2010, January 15 - 3:29pm
#9
I used my MidiSport interface on the Umax Clone with Mac OS 9.1 installed the first time (still on PowerBook G4 with Mac OS X 10.4.11 installed), but it needs some extra driver software.
Take a look at http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support&tab=driver
I've no idea whether you've to search http://www.info.apple.com/support/oldersoftwarelist.html for MIDI, too.
Plus, it reqires the OMS (Open Music System), created by Opcode:
http://mac.softpedia.com/get/Audio/Open-Music-System-OMS.shtml
2010, January 16 - 8:07am
#10
I installed OMS, i found the devices and when i do the test and click on the icons the lights of the devices turn on. I guess that means that it is ok. But when i try to run sierra games like Larry, Freddy Pharkas etc. choosing the rolandmt-32 driver the games don't start because a message says that it cannot find midi clients or midi ports. I run patchbay from midi management tools but it does not show any devices. My computer is performa 6116 ppc at 60mhz, 72 mb ram and has mac os 9.1 installed.
2010, January 16 - 12:34pm
#11
i managed to run the games with roland mt-32 with my performa 6116 but i do not hear any sound. Do i have to connect the roland with speakers? It has two jacks i think for RCA (it says output L(Mono) and R).
2010, January 16 - 2:07pm
#12
If Roland doesn't have internal speakers, I think yes, you should connect external ones. 
2010, January 19 - 6:49pm
#13
i did something like that: I bought a cable almost like this http://www.proaudiosuppliers.com/hosa-cmp-159.html. The difference is that all the edges are 3,5mm so i also bought two adaptor converters from 1/4" to 1/8". I connected these adaptors in the two jacks (L & R) of roland mt-32,then i connected the two edges of the 3,5mm cable in the adaptors and the other edge (the third) i connected it to the 'mic' jack of my mac. I don't hear a thing. What do i have to do? The roland all the time is showing midi messages (various titles of the music that plays) while the games are running. It seems that it is working.
2010, January 20 - 2:27pm
#14
If you put it into the 'Mic' jack of your Mac, the Roland is the sound source?
Or different, your game is the sound source, let the roland play, and you should try to put the other end into the 'loudspeaker' jack of the Mac?
At least, I've no idea to go ahead...
2010, February 17 - 6:43pm
#15
at last i managed to run my roland mt-32. The sound is great. Lot better. Some games tha support roland mt-32: Space Quest 3,4,1 (enhanced), King's Quest 5,7, Larry 1 (enhanced),5,6, Quest for Glory 1 enhanced, Gabriel Knight, Freddy Pharkas, Castle of Dr Brain.
2013, November 25 - 2:09am
#16
http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?board=42.0
check this page and look for serial midi port
you can add this port to select imac models, most g3, g4 or even a g5