The Best MIDI Interfaces for the Music Enthusiast in Your Life
Comparing the Top MIDI Interface of 2022
Camola MIDI Interface – Best Overall
The Camola MIDI Interface Thru 6 Box is a top option when it comes to pure music creation, especially because of its ability to connect a total of six devices to your preferred MIDI controller or synths. Its USB power supply supplies enough more than power and eliminates the need for extra batteries or external AC power cables.
But the most important and surprising feature of the device is its impeccable signal quality with almost zero latency, which makes professional sound recording an absolute breeze. This MIDI interface gets the top spot on this list for its impressive sound quality and battery life.
Pros
- Supports 16 total standard MIDI channels
- Can connect devices through six out ports
- No extra batteries needed
- Impeccable signal quality
Cons
- No instruction manual included
Midiplus MIDI Interface – Most Channels
The specialty of this impressive MidiPlus MIDI Interface lies in its simplicity, especially when it comes to its control system, as it allows every device that has a MIDI input to connect with it. This interface is fully compatible with a variety of Windows operating systems and shows special compatibility with newer Mac devices, coupled with little to zero latency or interference.
There’s also no need to install additional drivers, which can become quite a hassle for those who aren’t professionals. This specific MIDI interface is worth the price as its impressive resolution and easy compatibility make it one of the easiest MIDI interfaces to work with.
Pros
- No extra driver is needed for setup
- No external power source required
- Can support up to 64 channels
- Extremely lightweight in size
Cons
- No MIDI thru port
M-Audio MIDI Interface – Best Audio Interface
Thinking of the M-Audio Airmidi Audio Interface as simply a MIDI interface would be doing it a massive disservice, as this device is so much more than that. First of all, its high-speed USB-C circuitry gives you an incredibly fast connection with an extremely low latency. Its audio recording capability is also second to none due to its ultra-pristine A/D converters and transparent crystal preamps that provide unsurpassable audio recording quality.
The cherry on top is the ultra-impressive premium recording software suite that’s included in addition to the interface. The suite itself includes MPC beats, Ableton Live Lite, and the Air’s very own creative FX collection.
Pros
- Very low round trip latency
- Offers a stunning 24-bit resolution
- Beautifully bright LED lights
- Extensive durability due to rugged metal chassis
Cons
- Only a 1×1 MIDI interface
Wrugste MIDI Interface – Most Durable
As one of the leading brands in music, it is easy to see why the Wrugste USB Audio Interface with MIDI is a top choice. This state-of-the-art machinery offers support for many sizes of jacks, giving it that extra versatility that allows it to connect to a plethora of different audio instruments, including guitars and microphones.
A stereo switch also gives the recorder a chance to monitor sound directly through the preamp input without any noticeable delay. Overall, if you’re looking for an audio interface with additional MIDI interface functionality, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better product than this one.
Pros
- Features amazing combo sockets
- Two direct monitoring modes
- USB audio interface has 48V phantom power
- Comprehensive user manual included
Cons
- Audio has a slight hum
Behringer MIDI Interface – Most Affordable
This Behringer U-phoria MIDI Interface functions as both an impressive audio recorder and a solid interface for all of your MIDI devices. This option is perfect for those who are looking to upgrade their music game without spending a lot of money.
With dual microphone inputs that accept both XLR and TRS and individual gain controls, connectivity with almost any audio device is no problem. You can also easily match up your audio levels between all of your connected devices. In addition to being versatile, MIDI interfaces also need to be quite sturdy, and this one certainly aces that test due to its durable, high-quality knobs and strong metal chassis.
Pros
- Audio quality is amazing
- Two state-of-the-art MIDAS preamplifiers
- Compatible with the most recording software
- Offers little to no latency
Cons
- Higher volumes lead to distortions
Finding Your Next MIDI Interface: A Buying Guide
Before you can actually take that step and buy your first MIDI interface, you’ll first have to be familiar with what exactly these features are that you have to look out for. This section of the guide will focus on education on the importance and features of MIDI interfaces so that you can make a more informed final decision.
Features To Look Out for When Choosing a MIDI Interface
Here are the top features you shouldn’t miss out on.
Ports
Virtual synths in laptops or even mobile devices are the way to go these days, as the digital age has left hardware synths behind. The number of ports you need in your MIDI interface depends solely on how many devices you intend to connect. If you’re looking to connect your keyboard controller with your laptop, then all you need is a 1-to-1 MIDI interface to establish the connection.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to connect a full rig of synth modules together, you’ll probably find a number of ports equal to the number of modules to ensure the latency stays at that minimal level. Remember that eight ports are the max; if you have more modules than that, then you’ll probably have to use a daisy chain.
Connectivity
On the connectivity front, MIDI interfaces are almost compatible with every device in the world. The only question you should be asking yourself is, which connector is the right choice for your device? Most MIDI interfaces come with a round 5-pin connector that comes with both in and out functionality. Whereas some come with ‘Y’ cables that feature 2 MIDI connectors along with a USB connector for connecting to the laptop or computer.
In the case that your computer only has a single MIDI connection and you’re looking to connect multiple MIDI controller devices, you can always daisy chain the output devices.This is why distinguishing the type of connectors you need is super important.
Power
MIDI interfaces nowadays don’t need extra power to work properly, as a proper USB connection with a PC or laptop gives them all the power they need. If you intend to connect a full collection of synth modules with it, then we’d advise opting for an interface that comes with extra AC cables or batteries.
This is especially the case with iPad users, as an iPad can limit the amount of power available to USB devices.
Class-compliant
A general rule of thumb before you buy any electronic device is to check its class compliance beforehand to see if it is compatible with your device, and MIDI interfaces are no different.
The advantage of opting for a class-compliant MIDI interface is that they’re essentially plug-and-play devices that don’t need any extra drivers, meaning less of a hassle for you once you finally plug it in. That should itself be enough to convince you to opt for a class-compliant MIDI interface.
How MIDI Interfaces Work
Picture an orchestra in your mind (preferably a large one). Now picture the conductor of that orchestra. What are they doing?
Are they playing an instrument? No, because their job is to send directives or signals to all the other instrument players to tell them how to play their instrument, when to play it and how loudly they should play it. That, in essence, is the job of a MIDI interface. It makes no sound of its own, but it does direct or control every other instrument’s sound.
Another one of its functions is to be a sort of interpreter and convert an instrument’s analog signal into a digital signal and transmit it to the virtual synth in your PC, laptop, or mobile.
