Jesse Rutherford of Bent-Tronics shared this video tutorial on how to make a cheap MIDI activity light.
This is a down and dirty project to build a MIDI LED cable that lets you see when your device is sending a MIDI signal.
All it takes is a cheap MIDI cable, an LED, a 220 Ohm resistor, some basic synth DIY tools and about 10 minutes.
Schematics are available at the Bent-Tronics site.
Or you could just plug an LED directly into the second and fourth holes of the MIDI Out jack:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84hkz7G-mXk
MIDI Out jacks are supposed to have a 220 ohm resistor built in:
https://www.midi.org/specifications/item/midi-din-electrical-specification
cool. alway wanted to have some kind of midi light show
Kinda makes me want to buy him a $20 heat gun so he can put his lighter back by the grill.
T’would be cool (and tons easier) if you can just plug the LED right into the pin 2nd & 4th holes. Have you tried it, David B? EDIT: OH! I see you have!! (Just watched YOUR vid!)
Or pick up an Ensoniq MIDI Bug. I think I still have one in the garage.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FMBJEkaC8Lw/RzE81ZmbRSI/AAAAAAAAKmI/AlLvlQaa8u8/s1600-h/90f8_1.JPG
Awesome and fun!
Or you could go All Out and test for current on the circuit!
http://practicalusage.com/midi-experiments-a-simple-midi-tester/