[Guide written using Keysight version 1.5.0]

So. You're trying to use your piano input, but you opened Keysight first and now your DAW doesn't see the input, or you opened your DAW first and now Keysight doesn't see the input? You're in the right place! (Well, assuming you're on Windows anyway. If you're a Mac OS user, I believe there's something to do with the "IAC driver" and the word "bus" and it all seemed scary and unfamiliar to me so err, I can't help.)

Now, I'm no messaging protocol expert, but my understanding is that the Midi 1.0 standard is "exclusive" for most hardware devices you find, meaning that only one program can use the data feed at any one time. Midi 2.0 is becoming a thing, so some inputs and interfaces can be used in multiple programs at once.

It is worth checking if you have any firmware updates for your digital piano or keyboard. In the instance of the Yamaha P125, for example, a firmware upgrade can provide midi 2.0 functionality and completely avoid having to fiddle around with anything in this guide! Refer to the manufacturer's website and manual to check for updates and how to install them.

LoopMIDI[www.tobias-erichsen.de] is a free, lightweight tool for creating virtual Midi 2.0 devices. We're going to use it as part of "splitting" the incoming midi signal and routing it to the necessary number of virtual devices, so it can be used in multiple places at once.

To create a virtual device, just type in the name you want and then hit the plus button. Done!

(I have two devices here due to using another tool that requires midi from a different midi device to my piano)

Oh, and you might wanna right click on LoopMIDI in the system tray and set it to autostart with Windows, just so you don't forget to launch it along with your programs down the line and you never have to think about it again. Usually I'd advocate keeping your startup programs as minimal as possible, but seriously, LoopMIDI has like... zero weight to it.

Next up, we need to route the piano signal to that new virtual midi device. This bit assumes you're doing what 99% of people running into the "I need midi in Keysight and [thing]", and you're using some sort of DAW to host a VST to generate your piano sound. If you are not using a DAW, skip to Step 2b.

Right so, I use Ableton, so I can only show you the specific setup in Ableton but the same principle ought to apply anywhere. First of all you're gonna want to make sure your midi device preferences are set up correctly, ie. you've enabled the output on your new virtual midi device.


Then simply make a new midi track that takes your piano input, and outputs it straight back out over the virtual device. Done!

(As you can see here, I'm using the piano midi both as the input to Garritan CFX, and outputting over KeysightVirtualInput. Ableton can use the same midi 1.0 signal as much as it wants, it just blocks other programs from using it)

If you cannot use your DAW to route midi as in Step 2a, or you're not using a DAW at all and have some other reason you need to route midi to two programs at once, you're going to need another tool. LoopMIDI simply creates virtual devices, it does not map midi signals, so something else has to fill that void. That's where the incredibly-old-looking MidiOX[www.midiox.com] comes in! (That link is a direct download link to save you navigating a 2000s-looking ancient website)

First of all, make sure nothing is using your midi inputs so Midi-OX can use them, and then open up the program and head into Midi Devices


Then simply click on your input, and then click on the output you wish to map the midi signals to. Done!


Note that LoopMIDI should be creating Midi 2.0 devices which can be used in multiple places at once, but if, for some reason, you cannot use the same virtual device in both programs, simply make a second virtual midi device and map to both using Midi-OX routing.

When it comes to Keysight, just bind the virtual device in the Midi menu.


For other programs, well, I'm sure you can figure it out from here!

- Download LoopMIDI[www.tobias-erichsen.de] and make a virtual device
- If using a DAW, open up your DAW and route the midi from your input to the virtual device
- If not using a DAW, download MidiOX[www.midiox.com], create a second virtual midi device with LoopMIDI, and route your input to output over both virtual devices
- Use the virtual device(s) in relevant programs, ie. Keysight (or Keysight + other thing using other midi device if you're using MidiOX for routing)