Connecting a keyboard to my computer

[musicator]

Can one of you very clever people out there help me with a problem please? With my old computor, running windows 98 SE' I was able to connect my keyboard which came with it's own cable and which had a 15 pin 'D' connector at each end. One end plugged into the keyboard at a point marked 'Midi Port' and the other into the back of the computer again into a 15 pin 'D' type socket which presumably connected the keyboard to the sound board.
I recently upgraded my computer but when I tried to plug up my keyboard I found that the new sound card was integrated with the Mother board and there was no 15 pin socket at the back to plug the keyboard into. Can anyone tell me what all the pins do and what connects to what?
Better still, tell me how to overcome this problem?
To complicate matters even more the old cable also powered the keyboard from the computer with 12v DC. Now I could, I think, power the keyboard with a separate independent 12v DC power supply but would it have to be sychronised with the new computer power supply and what pins would I have top use?
I also have a laptop which has a 'DIN' type plug on the back marked 'MIDI' Could I use that and if so where would the power supply come from and again, what pin would connect to what?
What I really would like to know is what does each pin does on the 15 pin 'D' connecters and / or the 'Din' plug and a simple diagram to this end would help. I'm not sure how you could send me a drawing with 'Answer Bank' but a simple diagram showing all the pins on the 15 pin 'D' plugs, Male & Female and the 'Din' plug showing what they do and where each one goes to and comes from would be a geat help.
With that info I might be able to buy the bits and make up my own cable. I know this is a lot to ask but if you can help I would be very grateful. If you can help and there is anything I can do to facitate getting a drawing to me please let me know Thank you very much

[ACtheTROLL]

google midi keyboard pinout

[The Builder]

I hope I've understood you musicator..............I think the D plug you refer to is a serial port connection.........they used to be used mainly to connect a mouse, before USB.
MIDI is just a modified form of serial connection.
Check out Maplin's Electronics............

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?TabID=1&cr iteria=usb&ModuleNo=1113&doy=search&C=SO&U=Str at15

They might have a connector to enable you to link serial (keyboard) to USB (computer).............my own keyboard has a cable that plugs directly into the PC's USB...........and also powers the keyboard.

[rojash]

In olden days, when horses sh@t in the streets and real men wore spats, computers came with a game port. (for joy sticks etc). this could also be configured for midi in-out.

I think you're mistake about the 12 Volts, though as I believe they only offer 5. You can find a pin-out here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_port

MS discontinued support for the game port (either in XP or in Vista - I can't remember).

The standard way of controlling midi nowadays is via USB, and there is quite a large choice of USB midi keyboards out there. Maybe time to replace the keyboard?

[rojash]

Here's one:
http://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/shop/view_produ ct.php?product=emuxboard49

another:
http://www.studiospares.com/Controller-Keyboar ds/M-Audio-Oxygen-49-USB-Midi-Keyboard/invt/36 3880

and one for luck:
http://solodeals.com/MAudio-KeyRig-49key-USB-M IDI-keyboard/M/B000NGG3HU.htm?traffic_src=froo gle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle-GB&i d=uk

[martin t]

Wouldn't it be easier to buy a new keyboard with a PS2 (purple colour) connector?

[martin t]

oops misread keyboard

[rojash]

Yes Martin, we musos had keyboards long before babbage designed his difference engine.

[martin t]

I knew i'd see a quip :-) I have a musos keyboard too but never even thought about hooking it to pc, perhaps I should now.