Do I need to download/install a driver in order to use USB-MIDI?
The USB-MIDI device built into Kawai digital pianos is class compliant, meaning that it should function correctly using the driver built into the operating system. For most computers running a modern operating system, this USB-MIDI driver should be installed automatically upon connecting the digital piano to the computer via a USB 'A' to 'B' cable.
The following table indicates USB-MIDI driver support for Windows and macOS operating systems.
Operating System | USB-MIDI Driver Support |
Windows Vista (SP1, SP2) Windows Vista 64-bit (SP1, SP2) Windows 7 Windows 7 64-bit Windows 8 Windows 8 64-bit Windows 8.1 Windows 8.1 64-bit Windows 10 Windows 10 64-bit Windows 11 64-bit | The standard (built-in) Windows USB-MIDI driver will be used. This driver will be installed automatically when the instrument is connected to the computer. To enable MIDI communication between the application software and the instrument, select “USB-MIDI” as a MIDI device. |
Windows Vista (no SP) Windows Vista 64-bit (no SP) | USB-MIDI is not supported. Please upgrade to Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2. |
Windows 98 SE Windows 2000 Windows ME Windows XP (no SP, SP1, SP2, SP3) Windows XP 64-bit | Windows XP or earlier versions are not supported. Please use a third-party MIDI interface for MIDI connection. |
Mac OS X / macOS | The standard (built-in) macOS USB-MIDI driver will be used. This driver will be installed automatically when the instrument is connected to the computer. To enable MIDI communication between the application software and the instrument, select “USB-MIDI” as a MIDI device. |
Mac OS 9 | USB MIDI is not supported. Please use a third-party MIDI interface for MIDI connection. |
USB-MIDI troubleshooting under Windows
To check whether or not Windows has installed the built-in USB-MIDI driver correctly:
1. Right click the Start menu.
2. Select "Device Manager".
3. Expand the the "Sound, video and game controllers" entry - a "USB-MDI" device should be listed.
4. If the "USB-MIDI" device appears next to a yellow exclamation mark, right click and select "Update Driver".
5. If the "USB-MIDI" device does appear in Device Manager, but does not seem to work in your preferred MIDI application, please try a different piece of software.
If the "USB-MIDI" device does not appear in Device Manager, please try the following:
- Try connecting to a different USB port
- If the USB cable is connected via a USB hub, try connecting to the computer directly
- Try using a different computer
- Try using a different USB 'A' to USB 'B' cable.