aconnect
ALSA MIDI port connection manager
TLDR
SYNOPSIS
aconnect [-options] sender receiveraconnect -d [-options] sender receiveraconnect -i|-o [-options]aconnect -x
DESCRIPTION
aconnect is an ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) utility for connecting and disconnecting MIDI ports. It manages the ALSA sequencer connections that route MIDI data between applications, hardware MIDI interfaces, and virtual MIDI ports.The tool is essential for setting up MIDI routing in Linux audio workflows, allowing you to connect MIDI controllers to synthesizers, route between DAWs, or chain MIDI effects processors.
PARAMETERS
-l, --list
List current MIDI ports and connections-i, --input
List only input (readable) ports-o, --output
List only output (writable) ports-d, --disconnect
Disconnect the specified ports-x, --removeall
Remove all connections-e, --exclusive
Connect ports exclusively (no other connections allowed)-r, --real queue
Convert time-stamps using the given real-time queue-t, --tick queue
Convert time-stamps using the given tick queue
INSTALL
CAVEATS
Connections made with aconnect are not persistent; they're lost when the MIDI device is disconnected or the system reboots. For persistent connections, use tools like qjackctl or write startup scripts. Client numbers may change between sessions.
HISTORY
aconnect was developed as part of the ALSA project in the late 1990s. It provided a command-line interface for the ALSA sequencer system, which replaced the older OSS (Open Sound System) MIDI handling in Linux.
SEE ALSO
amidi(1), aplaymidi(1), arecordmidi(1), aseqdump(1)
