Windows 11: Loopmidi

If you’ve ever tried to connect two music software applications on Windows 11—like sending MIDI data from a DAW to a standalone synthesizer, or from a controller app to a notation program—you’ve likely run into a wall. Unlike macOS with its built‑in IAC Driver, Windows has no native virtual MIDI bus. Enter loopMIDI by Tobias Erichsen. For over a decade, loopMIDI has been the gold standard for creating virtual MIDI ports on Windows. But how does it fare on Windows 11? Is it still reliable? How do you set it up without tearing your hair out?

Have you used loopMIDI on Windows 11 with a specific DAW or piece of hardware? Share your experiences below (or in the comments section of this article). loopmidi windows 11

| | Pros | Cons | |------------------------|------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------| | loopMIDI | Free, simple, stable, low latency | No MIDI 2.0, no network MIDI | | MIDIberry | Built into Windows MIDI Services (preview) | Still experimental, requires insider build | | rTP MIDI (rtpMIDI) | Network MIDI (over Ethernet/Wi‑Fi) | Overkill for local routing, more setup | | Cable MIDI (VB‑Audio) | Also creates virtual audio cables | Paid, more complex | If you’ve ever tried to connect two music

The only caveat is that it’s MIDI 1.0 only—but unless you own next‑gen MIDI 2.0 hardware (like a Roli Seaboard Rise 2 or a Korg Keystage), you won’t miss anything. | Action | How to do on Windows 11 | |----------------------------------|----------------------------------------------| | Delete all ports | Right‑click port list → “Remove all ports” | | Rename a port | Double‑click the port name | | See MIDI traffic in real‑time | Hover mouse over port – tooltip shows bytes | | Launch with Windows | Add shortcut to shell:startup | | Reset drivers (if corrupted) | Device Manager → Sound/video → loopMIDI → Uninstall, then reinstall loopMIDI | Closing Thoughts Windows 11 has brought many audio improvements, but it still lacks a native virtual MIDI router. loopMIDI fills that gap elegantly. Whether you’re a bedroom producer, a live visuals artist, or a software developer testing MIDI interfaces, loopMIDI is one of the first tools you should install on a fresh Windows 11 machine. For over a decade, loopMIDI has been the

This article covers everything: installation, configuration, practical use cases, troubleshooting, and advanced tips for getting the most out of loopMIDI on Windows 11. loopMIDI is a free, lightweight, open‑source tool that creates virtual MIDI cables inside your computer. Think of it as a patchbay: you create one or more “ports.” Any MIDI data sent to an output port is immediately available as an input port in another application.