You plug your USB MIDI Keyboard into your computer and it (mostly) just works. Do you ever wonder how? Do you wish you could plug your USB keyboard to your

synth, but it doesn't have a regular MIDI OUT? This is the workshop for you!

This talk will show how USB MIDI works, with an intro section so you know how USB works in general. It describes MIDI 1.0 on Full Speed USB 2.0 only because that is what is most commonly used by most USB MIDI hardware these days. By the end of the talk, you should have a better idea what goes on when you plug your MIDI controller to a computer and how MIDI data is communicated.

You will learn about free software tools and low cost hardware for deep debugging of USB MIDI devices and for solving common problems with USB MIDI (and Audio). The talk will conclude with demonstrations of some USB MIDI host and device projects with links to more details on GitHub.

This free workshop is a lecture only; No DIY projects will be built or provided during the lecture.

Sunday, January 25th, 2026
1 pm - 3 pm
@ 1256 Lloyd Center (view map)
2nd Floor, near Dicepool

RSVP ($5 suggested donation)
(We always encourage donations or becoming a member if you want to support our mission of bringing low-cost/no-cost creative tools and education to our local community)