# Classic MIDI Synth Control with Trellis M4
## Overview
https://youtu.be/OvE_9kchoqQ
Play your classic synthesizers using the NeoTrellis M4 by sending **MIDI** (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) data over UART (serial port) to a traditional MIDI DIN-5 connection. No USB MIDI required!
The MIDI standard is excellent for getting note and CC (and pitch bend, mod wheel, etc.) data from one device to another. Many modern controllers can only send USB MIDI, and lots of classic synths only have a DIN-5 connector. The Trellis M4 can send serial data over its UART port. With a little bit of plug adapter magic, we can get all of that data sent right on over to the standard DIN-5 MIDI cable!
## Parts
### Adafruit NeoTrellis M4 with Enclosure and Buttons Kit Pack
[Adafruit NeoTrellis M4 with Enclosure and Buttons Kit Pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4020)
So you've got a cool/witty name for your band, a Soundcloud account, [a 3D-printed Daft Punk helmet](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-printed-daft-punk-helmet-with-bluetooth)... so what could be missing from your road to stardom? The **NeoTrellis M4 Kit...**
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4020)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4020/guides)
### 3.5mm (1/8") Stereo Audio Jack Terminal Block
[3.5mm (1/8") Stereo Audio Jack Terminal Block](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2791)
One truth about working with audio is you always need the cable or adapter you _don't_ have in your toolbox. That's why we love these terminal-block audio connectors so much. **No soldering required!** Use stranded or solid core wire and a small screw driver to...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2791)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2791/guides)
### JST PH 2mm 4-Pin to Male Header Cable - I2C STEMMA Cable - 200mm
[JST PH 2mm 4-Pin to Male Header Cable - I2C STEMMA Cable - 200mm](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3955)
This cable will let you turn a JST PH 4-pin cable port into 4 individual wires with high-quality 0.1" male header plugs on the end. We're carrying these to match up with any of our boards with 'STEMMA' connectors on them such as the
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3955)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3955/guides)
### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B
[USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller
Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides)
### Stereo 3.5mm Plug/Plug Audio Cable - 6 feet
[Stereo 3.5mm Plug/Plug Audio Cable - 6 feet](https://www.adafruit.com/product/876)
This basic cable comes with two 3.5mm (1/8" headphone jack size) stereo connectors. It's fairly straight forward, you'll commonly need these to connect two audio devices together.
Cable is 6 ft long.
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/876)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/876/guides)
In addition to the parts above, you'll need:
- Standard DIN-5 Male to DIN-5 male MIDI cable
- 3.5mm TRS Male to DIN-5 female MIDI adapter. Pinouts vary, unfortunately, as this was only recently standardized by the MIDI organization. We can use the now-standardized pinout of the "Type A" adapter, or you can simply swap two of the wires coming from the JST PH 4-pin cable to accommodate "Type B" connectors.
[Here's a generic Type A adapter that works well](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0797SG8RS/)
These Type B [Malekko Heavy Industry adapters](https://www.perfectcircuit.com/malekko-midi-3-5mm-converter.html) work great, and they're super bright pink! At only $6 for a two pack it's hard to beat the price.
And, if you're interested in this project, you'll probably have favorite synthesizer with a DIN-5 female MIDI-IN port on it! This covers most synthesizers built since 1983, so there are plenty to choose from.
I'm using the Trellis M4 to control this modern all-analog minimoog "inspired" synthesizer, the Behringer Model D, which has no keyboard, but a MIDI IN jack designed for this type of use. It's highly affordable, and it sounds super thick and great.
- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/classic-midi-synth-control-with-trellis-m4/midi-connections.md)
## Featured Products
### Adafruit NeoTrellis M4 with Enclosure and Buttons Kit Pack
[Adafruit NeoTrellis M4 with Enclosure and Buttons Kit Pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4020)
So you've got a cool/witty name for your band, a Soundcloud account, [a 3D-printed Daft Punk helmet](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-printed-daft-punk-helmet-with-bluetooth)... so what could be missing from your road to stardom? The **NeoTrellis M4 Kit...**
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4020)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4020/guides)
### 3.5mm (1/8") Stereo Audio Jack Terminal Block
[3.5mm (1/8") Stereo Audio Jack Terminal Block](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2791)
One truth about working with audio is you always need the cable or adapter you _don't_ have in your toolbox. That's why we love these terminal-block audio connectors so much. **No soldering required!** Use stranded or solid core wire and a small screw driver to...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2791)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2791/guides)
### JST PH 2mm 4-Pin to Male Header Cable - I2C STEMMA Cable - 200mm
[JST PH 2mm 4-Pin to Male Header Cable - I2C STEMMA Cable - 200mm](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3955)
This cable will let you turn a JST PH 4-pin cable port into 4 individual wires with high-quality 0.1" male header plugs on the end. We're carrying these to match up with any of our boards with 'STEMMA' connectors on them such as the
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3955)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3955/guides)
### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B
[USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller
Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides)
### Monoprice 5-Watt Guitar Amplifier, Portable Recorder
[Monoprice 5-Watt Guitar Amplifier, Portable Recorder](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4402)
Always be ready rock out or record with this **5-watt Guitar Amplifier, Portable Recorder, and USB Audio Interface** from Monoprice.
This handheld 5-watt amp delivers plenty of loudness and clarity for ad hoc _al fresco_ performances. It has a built-in guitar...
No Longer Stocked
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4402)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4402/guides)
### Stereo 3.5mm Plug/Plug Audio Cable - 6 feet
[Stereo 3.5mm Plug/Plug Audio Cable - 6 feet](https://www.adafruit.com/product/876)
This basic cable comes with two 3.5mm (1/8" headphone jack size) stereo connectors. It's fairly straight forward, you'll commonly need these to connect two audio devices together.
Cable is 6 ft long.
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/876)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/876/guides)
## Related Guides
- [NeoTrellis M4 MIDI File Synthesizer](https://learn.adafruit.com/neotrellism4-midi-file-player-synthesizer.md)
- [Trellis M4 Expressive MIDI Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/trellis-m4-midi-keypad-and-tilt-controller.md)
- [Christmas Soundboard with NeoTrellis M4](https://learn.adafruit.com/xmas-sound-board.md)
- [NeoTrellis M4 Memory Game](https://learn.adafruit.com/neotrellis-m4-memory-game.md)
- [NeoTrellis M4 Animated Dice Roller](https://learn.adafruit.com/neotrellis-dice.md)
- [NeoTrellis Tabletop RPG Soundboard](https://learn.adafruit.com/neotrellis-dungeon-crawl-soundboard.md)
- [Launch Deck Trellis M4](https://learn.adafruit.com/launch-deck-trellis-m4.md)
- [iPad Pro Bumper](https://learn.adafruit.com/ipad-pro-bumper.md)
- [Mu Keyboard Shortcut Cheat Sheets](https://learn.adafruit.com/mu-keyboard-shortcut-cheat-sheets.md)
- [Make It Talk](https://learn.adafruit.com/make-it-talk.md)
- [NeoTrellis M4 Noisy Grains of Sand](https://learn.adafruit.com/neotrellism4sand.md)
- [NeoTrellis M4 Arpeggiator Synth](https://learn.adafruit.com/neotrellis-arpeggiator-synth.md)
- [Bringing Back THE VOICE of Speak & Spell](https://learn.adafruit.com/bringing-back-the-voice-of-speak-spell.md)
- [What is Web MIDI & BLE MIDI?](https://learn.adafruit.com/web-ble-midi.md)
- [Star Trek Soundboard with NeoTrellis](https://learn.adafruit.com/star-trek-sound-board-with-neotrellism4.md)