There is a very similar question I've answered a few weeks ago:
https://www.midi.org/forum/3763-unusual-midi-routing

Funny thing is that both questions omit a very important piece of information: which Operating System is running your laptop. But the omission is also a clue that you are using Windows, right? 😀 If that is true, the answer for the other question also applies to you!

Regards,
Pedro

I have been with Midi as non-musician since it was introduced in the 1980's.
I like simple and find that using a Linux box is simple for non-computer sound and
just sequence and edit.
This year I got a Akai MPK mini Play General Midi keyboard and last year was the Roland GO:Keys 61k which is
a simple pattern generator with USB only connection.
The Akai LPD8 is a small pad controller with eight pads and eight knobs to use for utility work.
I have it do program changes and control knobs for volume, etc.
The Akai play is General Midi to speakers or headphones.
The two Akai devices fit in a laptop bag and use USB Midi.

This shows mixing manufacturers.

With Linux loaded I just need to list and connect the Midi devices
[code type=markup]
$ aconnect -l
client 0: 'System' [type=kernel]
0 'Timer '
1 'Announce '
Connecting To: 130:0
client 14: 'Midi Through' [type=kernel]
0 'Midi Through Port-0'
client 16: 'AG06/AG03' [type=kernel,card=0]
0 'AG06/AG03 MIDI 1'
client 20: 'MPK mini play' [type=kernel,card=1]
0 'MPK mini play MIDI 1'
client 24: 'LPD8' [type=kernel,card=2]
0 'LPD8 MIDI 1 '

$ aconnect 24:0 20:0

$ aconnect -l
client 0: 'System' [type=kernel]
0 'Timer '
1 'Announce '
Connecting To: 130:0
client 14: 'Midi Through' [type=kernel]
0 'Midi Through Port-0'
client 16: 'AG06/AG03' [type=kernel,card=0]
0 'AG06/AG03 MIDI 1'
client 20: 'MPK mini play' [type=kernel,card=1]
0 'MPK mini play MIDI 1'
Connected From: 24:0
client 24: 'LPD8' [type=kernel,card=2]
0 'LPD8 MIDI 1 '
Connecting To: 20:0

[/code] command that is like the physical wire from the past.

There are many $20-30 Linux computers that use a TV to display and can also use a keyboard.
Raspberry Pi is a good learning tool for music and computers.
It is capable of playing Midi files to devices or with software sounds.

Windows tends to be more difficult to use out of the box for Midi hardware as there are many variations
in OS distributions and hardware.

If you already have a computer ready to use then for any operating system,
lately I been learning the FREE lmms software that runs on any computer OS.
There are nearly 5000 currently active members in the forum to ask for more help.

Hope this helps and you can enjoy the world of Midi music.
Lee T. Davy
Cool Games Network

I have a new Yamaha Reface YC keyboard and a Casio piano. Now each has midi in and out, but the Casio is not compatible (as are Yamaha keyboards) to simply connect the two with midi in and out y cables so that each can transmit to the other. With two Yamaha products this is a snap and the results are a lot of fun.... full size piano keyboard playing through the organ.

However, Casio tech support tells me Casio cannot be connected this way (it uses a USB B jack for midi in and out and this, tech says, is only good fro connecting to a laptop. Whereas the regular din type jack on the Yamaha can connect to another keyboard and a separate USB A jack on the reface is available to the computer.)

Casio says the only way to communicate between the two keyboards with midi is to us the laptop in between with some midi software.

QUESTION: I am new at midi and working on this for my teenage daughter who is the keyboard player. What are some brands/names of midi software I might install and try on the laptop to allow this kind of communication or pass through? Do you think there would be too much of a lag trying to do it this way to make playing useful?

My final alternative to use that amazing little Yamaha Reface is to also buy a better Yamaha keyboard and just sell the Casio I guess.... although even for a budget keyboard the Casio has been great.

Thanks for any advice/tips or links.

Congratulations on the Yamaha YC !

I would be interested in hearing how the YC sounds after some practice time !
I have an 80's Kurzweil that uses a sampled organ and Leslie filter to make that kind of sound.
My new new Roland GO:keys 61k has some good sounds as well but not drawbar and speed controls like the YC.
It is same price as the YC so I assume they are competing in the same markets for beginner and advanced players.

Also,
I found the Midi manual if you have not seen it yet.
This is what is often missing for me with the Roland and Akai.
This will make it far more interesting for you.