need drivers for my MacBook Pro to use with CTK-651

[dkweir]

I need to get drivers for my MacBook Pro to use with my Casio CTK-651 keyboard.  I am going to use Main Stage to use with the computer and the keyboard for a musical.  I called and talked with tech support at CASIO and their only suggestion was to see if anyone on this forum had any ideas.

[- T -]

The CTK-651 is an older board that uses 5-pin DIN MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT connections.  It does not have the "To Host" USB connection of the newer boards for connection to a computer.  That means you will need to use a USB-MIDI adapter to connect its MIDI-IN/OUT connections to a USB port on your MAC Book.  You only need drivers for the hardware device that connects DIRECTLY to your computer - in this case - the USB-MIDI adapter.  The adapter, in turn, provides the interface to the keyboard, so you do not need Casio drivers - just the adapter drivers from its manufacturer.  BUT . . . if you obtain an adapter manufactured in the past few years, it should be Class or CORE MIDI compliant and will use the generic drivers that are already built-in to MAC-OS.  You just connect the adapter to the MAC Book and it will automatically load the drivers and connect.  Truly Plug-n-Play !  If you already have an older adapter that is not Class compliant, you will need to obtain MAC OS compatible drivers from the adapter's manufacturer.  If you do not already have an adapter, make certain you obtain one that is Class/CORE-MIDI compliant.  Also, avoid the $5 and $6 units, as they have no end of problems connecting to Casio equipment.  You should expect to spend around $10-$15 (USD) for a reliable one from Amazon, etc.  If you are not familiar with the adapter I am describing, here is a link to several examples:

 

http://www.bing.com/search?q=usb+midi+adapter&go=Submit+Query&qs=ds&form=QBLH

 

Be sure to get one that has BOTH MIDI-IN AND MIDI-OUT connections, a single connection adapter will not do you much good.  A unit with 6 feet or so of cables is best.  The single piece units that plug directly into the computer's USB port are good for damaging the port, if they get bumped.  When you get the adapter, the MIDI-OUT of the keyboard connects to the MIDI-IN of the adapter and the MIDI-OUT of the adapter connects to the MIDI-IN of the keyboard.  If you connect IN to IN and OUT to OUT, it will not work.  According to the MainStage website, it should work with either 5-pin DIN or USB MIDI connections, so there should be no problem using it with the adapter.  Since you are planning on using this live on-stage, you might want to go a little higher on the price, or buy two or three to have a back-up or two.  You might also want to consider a reasonably priced MIDI controller keyboard that has a "To Host" USB connection and go with a single cable setup from the keyboard to the MAC Book - particularly one that comes with a set up template for MainStage.

 

Good luck !

 

Regards,

 

Ted