MIDI to USB under MacOS Tahoe

Dorico
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I know, this subject is only periferic about Dorico, but here are the most people using MIDI-Keyboards and Mac-Computers, most people don’t use much MIDI any more except for us musicians.

My problem: My iMac broke down, so I had to buy a new one. It came with MacOS 26.3.2 Tahoe. Every time when I try to connect a MIDI-Keyboard to this Computer I get the Message, that Audio-MIDI-Setup wasn’t able to open the MIDI-Server. If there is a new driver, I should deinstall. As soon as I disconnect the USB, close Audio-MIDI-Setup and reopen it, everything is okay. Until I try to connect any MIDI via USB.

I was on the phone with Apple-Support many hours until the highest level, reinstalled Tahoe but didn’t find a solution.

I have tried the following combinations, that all worked well until Sequoia:

  • Yamaha Keyboard Piaggerò NP 31s → MIDI Interface MIDISport 2x2 (I know, MAudio says it won’t work on Tahoe, so no surprise…) to USB-A → USB-a to USB-C by Apple

  • same combination with Yamaha CBX K1

  • both Yamaha Keyboards with a No-Name 5pole MIDI to USB-A cable

  • Miditech Garagekey mini → USB-B to USB-A cable → USB-A to USB-C by Apple

  • AKAI professional LPK25 → USB-mini to USB-A → USB-A to USB-C by Apple

  • Carry on Folding Piano 88 → USB-micro to USB-A → USB-A to USB-C by Apple

  • Then I bought a new CME C2MIDI Pro 5pole MIDI to USB-C and tried it with the two Yamaha-Keyboards, but the same result.

Now my question:

What works with MacOs Tahoe? What are you using? Which MIDI-Interface or cable can I buy to bring my Keyboard to work with the iMac and with Dorico???

Thank you

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I have an Xkey 25, which uses USB-C, so I’ve just used a random USB-C cable.

I’ve also tested a Roland A-49, which is USB-B (square peg); and I couldn’t power that from my MBP using a hub or adaptor to convert USB A to C. (In other words, the hub/adaptor was preventing sufficient power to get through.)

My desktop is still on Sequoia, and that works to power the Roland through a USB hub.

Certainly the cheapest ‘investment’ is in direct cables that have what you need at each end, without adaptors, hubs and other go-betweens.

Well, if the manufacturer states that it won’t work with Tahoe, then…

I’d recommend the great utility MIDI Monitor, which lets you see whether (and what) MIDI signals are coming in.

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Go to your Mac’s System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessories → Wired Accessories → Always allow.

Connect your keyboard before starting Dorico. If your Mac asks either to allow or trust this device, accept it.

I also recommend direct USB cables with the keyboard connections.

Nowadays people are using MIDI keyboards with direct USB ports out to connect to computers and peripherals. MIDI keyboards and audio interfaces connected directly via USB are so-called class-compliant devices on Macs = they operate on such low level on the operating system that they don’t require driver to be recognized by the system or to function. Some models require a driver from the manufacturer for further functionality. I’m using M-Audio and Nektar keyboards.

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This possibility doesn’t exist on an iMac with MacOS 26, only on MacBooks.

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Thank you very much, both!

I will instantly buy a USB-mini/micro to USB-C cable, but the solution was the MIDI Monitor. It helped me to find the last leftover driver of MIDISport that came with the migration and blocked all new MIDI-Settings. Apple didn’t find it…

Thank you very much!

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