C/C++ library for reading MIDI signals from a USB MIDI device

c++ c midi signal-processing
David picture David · Aug 6, 2008 · Viewed 25.7k times · Source

I want to write C/C++ programs that take input from a MIDI device.

The MIDI device connects to my PC using a USB connector.

I'm looking for a (C/C++ implemented) library that I can use to read the MIDI signals from the MIDI device through the USB port.

I'm happy manipulating the MIDI data once I get it, I just don't want to have to implement the code for its capture.

I'm planning on writing my code using the Bloodshed Dev-C++ IDE on Windows XP.

Answer

sean e picture sean e · May 9, 2009

PortMidi is another open source cross-platform MIDI I/O library worth checking out. On the other hand, if you are working on a sysex type of app, then direct Win32 works easily enough.

Just came across another open source cross-platform framework that includes MIDI support: Juce.

Also, I should note that there isn't anything special about a USB connected MIDI device. It will still be presented as a MIDI device in Windows and you will use standard MIDI APIs (mmsystem) to communicate with it.

[July 2014] I just came across RtMidi that looks to be a nice, compact, open source cross-platform C++ library.

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