# Can I hook up two MIDI interfaces to the same computer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 7, 2005, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-hook-up-two-midi-interfaces-to-the-same-computer/283594 "2005-01-07T16:55:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-hook-up-two-midi-interfaces-to-the-same-computer/283594/1 "2005-01-07T16:55:45Z")
Just checking before embarking on this particular journey. I run 90% of my ‘enthusiast’ recording studio on my Dell with XP pro. I use Cubase, Reason, Sonic Synth, and a Creamware Luna card. This weekend I’m going to set up my [new V-Drum kit](http://www.rolandus.com/products/details.asp?catid=5&subcatid=22&prodid=TD%2D6S) (woohoo!). Currently I have a [Steinberg midex](http://www.music123.com/Steinberg-Midex-3-1x3-MIDI-Interface-i104544.music) 1 in 3 out MIDI interface. I really need to keep this interface because it’s the only one I’ve come across that works so well with Cubase and the virtual synths I use. I also have an older [Midisport 4 in 4 out](http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MIDISPORT4x4-main.html) interface gathering dust that I’m thinking of using for the v-drum kit plus my spd20 octapad and whatever else. Nothing I attach to it will have the performance requirements that my virtual synths need. I know I have at least 2 USB ports on my Dell that aren’t being used for anything. Can I simply hook up the midisport and use it _and_ the steinberg? I don’t know why, but for some reason I thought I could only use one interface. My other options are to either use the 1 in midex and plug in the V-drums when I need to record them (but I wouldn’t be able to record them and the octapad simultaneously midi-wise) _or_ get the Steinberg 8 in 8 out interface, but that’s another 400 bucks. I tried and tried to get the midisport up to snuff in terms of getting latency free performance from sonic synth and reason, but I just couldn’t get there. I suppose I could take another crack at it but the Steinberg works great and I’m loath to mess with it. (If it ain’t broke…) This might be more of a Cubase question than a computer question but I thought I’d try here first. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-hook-up-two-midi-interfaces-to-the-same-computer/283594/2 "2005-01-07T17:07:52Z")
As someone who is going through headaches of my own with MIDI and Pro Tools, I would suggest the following sites that have forums to get a resolution to your questions: [http://www.tweakheadz.com/](http://www.tweakheadz.com/) - Not a basehead site like I thought it was 😉 [http://www.tapeop.com/](http://www.tapeop.com/) …and I’m sure some dopers can give you some helpful info as well. ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-hook-up-two-midi-interfaces-to-the-same-computer/283594/3 "2005-01-07T17:31:32Z")
- - - It should work with both. I have a SBLive and an M-Audio 2496 in my computer (running Win98 then) and I used both midi interfaces at once, and had no problems. The only reason I can see that it might be a problem is if you had any software that did not allow you to select your MIDI inputs and outputs manually. ~ ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-hook-up-two-midi-interfaces-to-the-same-computer/283594/4 "2005-01-07T17:39:34Z")
Thanks for the links. It took me a long time to get my system to the point where I could simply boot up, launch the apps, and start making music. Between XP, the Luna card, the steinberg interface, and a host of OS tweaks, patches and updates from steinberg I was finally able to make it all work (and I’ve forgotten just about all of what I did). Now it’s everything I hoped it would be. That’s why I don’t want to mess with it too much. The main source of my problems was getting a computer that was ahead of where the software and driver development was. Good luck!