You can connect a MIDI keyboard to Logic Pro X by connecting it to an audio interface hooked up to your Mac or by using a USB MIDI keyboard that can connect directly to your computer.
My name is Donovan, and I’ve been making music nearly my entire life. I love to write, record, and produce as often as possible and have a lot of experience using Logic Pro X. I’m very familiar with all of the tools and features of the app.
This post will show you how to connect a MIDI keyboard to Logic Pro X. I’ll walk you through all the steps to get a keyboard connected quickly and easily and provide some other information to help you start creating music on it.
Let’s get rolling.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- As long as you have the proper cables to connect a MIDI keyboard to your Mac or audio interface, connecting it to Logic Pro X is as simple as plug-and-play.
- You might need to install software or drivers on your MIDI keyboard to allow Logic Pro X to recognize it.
- You can connect the MIDI keyboard right to your Mac if you have the proper cables, or you can use an audio interface.
How to Connect MIDI Keyboard to Logic Pro X
Connecting a MIDI keyboard to Logic Pro X is very straightforward and simple. If you have a keyboard that doesn’t connect directly to your Mac, you’ll need to first connect it to an audio interface and then connect it to your Mac.
To do this, all you need is the correct cables to make everything happen. Make sure your keyboard and interface are powered on if they require external power. Some keyboards will power up when you plug them into your Mac. Others need to plug into the wall.
Connect your audio interface to your Mac and your keyboard to your audio interface. Open up Logic Pro X, and you should be all set with having your MIDI keyboard connected.
Logic should recognize the keyboard as the MIDI controller when you open the app. You don’t need to take additional steps to connect it, but if you experience any issues, keep reading for some troubleshooting tips in the sections below.
How to Connect USB MIDI Keyboard to Logic
If you have a USB MIDI keyboard, it’s even easier to connect it to Logic. All you need to do is plug it into your computer, and it will be automatically connected. You just need to make sure that you have the right cables.
Most modern Macs have USB-C inputs on them. So if you have a USB MIDI keyboard, you’ll need a cable with that as its output end. The other end of the cable will probably be a standard USB, but this can vary from model to model.
You can also use a USB dock to allow you to connect different types of USB cables to your Mac. I have a USB keyboard that doesn’t have a USB-C port, but I can still plug it into Logic easily by using the dock.
Getting a USB dock is a great idea if you don’t want to get an audio interface but still want to use a MIDI keyboard with Logic. These are cheaper than an audio interface but will still allow you to connect things to your Mac to use in Logic.
Once you have the keyboard connected to your Mac, Logic will automatically recognize it as the MIDI controller. You can use it to control software instruments and other parameters within the app.
MIDI Keyboard Not Working Logic Pro X
If your MIDI keyboard is not working with Logic Pro X, several solutions exist to help fix the problem. This can be caused by glitches, bad cables, or the need to update software and drivers.
The first thing I always do if my MIDI keyboard is not working is to unplug it from my Mac and then plug it back in. Sometimes you’ll have a bad connection, or the app won’t recognize the device for whatever reason. Unplugging for a second and putting it back can help.
If that doesn’t work, try quitting Logic Pro and opening it back up again. Make sure you save your project so you don’t lose any progress. The restart often fixes weird bugs and glitches, like the keyboard not working.
If that doesn’t do it, restart your Mac. Unplug your keyboard from the computer when you do this. This is similar to quitting and restarting the app, which can fix minor issues.
Another possible issue is that you don’t have the proper drivers or software on your keyboard or computer. Make sure you have all the necessary drivers installed on your keyboard to make it work with Logic. Check with the manufacturer to see what is available.
And you should also make sure that you have the latest version of Logic installed. If you are running a previous version, you might have issues such as the keyboard not working.
If none of the above works, you might have a bad cable that needs to be replaced. You’ll need a new cable to connect your keyboard to your Mac. If you notice any damage to the cable, that is a good indicator of it being bad. But there aren’t always visible signs of damage.
Additional Thoughts
Even if you don’t technically play the keyboard, it’s still good to have a MIDI keyboard to use with your Logic setup. You can control all of the software instruments in the app, giving you a tremendous amount of options at your disposal to add to your projects.
The musical typing feature in Logic will work, but it can be hard to work with because it is so small. I always prefer using a larger keyboard if I have the option.
It’s also a good idea to keep a few extra cables around that you might need when you want to connect a MIDI keyboard or anything else to your Mac to run with Logic. That way, you’ll have an extra if the other one breaks or gets lost.
Conclusion
Connecting a MIDI keyboard to Logic is easy if you have the right cables. You don’t need to have an audio interface if you have a keyboard capable of plugging into one of the USB-C ports on your Mac.
Using a MIDI keyboard with Logic Pro X can expand your capabilities and give you better control over your performance when recording. It’s a good piece of gear to have in your arsenal, and I highly recommend getting one.
How do you use a MIDI keyboard in Logic Pro X? Let me know in the comments below.
