python-rtmidi
A Python binding for the RtMidi C++ library implemented using Cython.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need MIDI I/O in Python. The package is stable (Production/Stable status), permissively licensed, has no runtime dependencies, and offers broad platform and Python version coverage. Install friction is moderate due to compiled bindings, but pre-built wheels mitigate this for standard platforms. The last release is from November 2023 and the repository remains active; aging maintenance is typical for a mature, feature-complete library.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires a MIDI output device or virtual MIDI port available on the system; on Linux, ALSA or JACK must be configured; on macOS, CoreMIDI is built-in; on Windows, MultiMedia System is built-in.
- Medium install friction due to compiled C++ bindings; wheels are available for Python 3.8–3.12 on macOS (Intel and ARM), Linux (x86_64 and aarch64), and Windows.
- Last release was in November 2023; repository remains active with a recent commit in January 2026.
License · maintenance · safety
permissive license (permissive) — MIT License (permissive). The package and its underlying RtMidi C++ library are both released under MIT terms, allowing free use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions.
last release 2023-11-20 (998 days) · last repo commit 2026-01-23 · 411 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 103,536 downloads/mo, #12,800 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
import rtmidi
import time
midiout = rtmidi.MidiOut()
available_ports = midiout.get_ports()
if available_ports:
midiout.open_port(0)
else:
midiout.open_virtual_port("My virtual output")
with midiout:
note_on = [0x90, 60, 112]
note_off = [0x80, 60, 0]
midiout.send_message(note_on)
time.sleep(0.5)
midiout.send_message(note_off)- Whether the package handles MIDI input (MidiIn) with the same API surface as MidiOut, or if input support has different constraints.
- Performance characteristics and latency guarantees for real-time MIDI applications.
- Whether virtual port creation is supported on all three platforms or only on some.
What it is and what it does
python-rtmidi is a thin Python wrapper around the RtMidi C++ library, implemented using Cython. It exposes a cross-platform API for MIDI input and output on Windows (MultiMedia System), macOS (CoreMIDI and JACK), and Linux (ALSA and JACK). The package adapts RtMidi's C++ interface to Python conventions, allowing developers to open MIDI ports, send note-on/note-off messages, and manage virtual ports without writing C++ code.
The library is production-stable and supports Python 3.8 and later. It has no runtime Python dependencies, only the compiled RtMidi C++ bindings. Wheels are pre-built for common platforms (macOS Intel/ARM, Linux x86_64/aarch64, Windows x86_64), reducing installation friction for most users. The package is suitable for music software, hardware control, and real-time MIDI sequencing applications.
Use it for
- Send MIDI note messages to a synthesizer or DAW from a Python script or application.
- Receive MIDI input from a keyboard or controller and process it in real-time.
- Create a virtual MIDI port to route messages between applications on the same system.
- Build a Python-based MIDI sequencer or control surface for music production.
- Interface with hardware MIDI devices (drum machines, synthesizers) from Python code.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need MIDI I/O in Python.
The package is stable (Production/Stable status), permissively licensed, has no runtime dependencies, and offers broad platform and Python version coverage. Install friction is moderate due to compiled bindings, but pre-built wheels mitigate this for standard platforms. The last release is from November 2023 and the repository remains active; aging maintenance is typical for a mature, feature-complete library.
Install
python-rtmidi on PyPI
Before you install
Medium install friction due to compiled C++ bindings; wheels are available for Python 3.8–3.12 on macOS (Intel and ARM), Linux (x86_64 and aarch64), and Windows. Last release was in November 2023; repository remains active with a recent commit in January 2026.
Requires a MIDI output device or virtual MIDI port available on the system; on Linux, ALSA or JACK must be configured; on macOS, CoreMIDI is built-in; on Windows, MultiMedia System is built-in.
License in practice
MIT License (permissive). The package and its underlying RtMidi C++ library are both released under MIT terms, allowing free use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions.
Quickstart
import rtmidi
import time
midiout = rtmidi.MidiOut()
available_ports = midiout.get_ports()
if available_ports:
midiout.open_port(0)
else:
midiout.open_virtual_port("My virtual output")
with midiout:
note_on = [0x90, 60, 112]
note_off = [0x80, 60, 0]
midiout.send_message(note_on)
time.sleep(0.5)
midiout.send_message(note_off)Verify before relying
- Whether the package handles MIDI input (MidiIn) with the same API surface as MidiOut, or if input support has different constraints.
- Performance characteristics and latency guarantees for real-time MIDI applications.
- Whether virtual port creation is supported on all three platforms or only on some.
Package facts
| License | permissive license permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.8 |
| Install friction | Medium. Platform-specific wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Aging 998 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 103,536 / month, #12,800 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableEnvironment :: ConsoleEnvironment :: MacOS XEnvironment :: Win32 (MS Windows)Intended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseOperating System :: MacOS :: MacOS XOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: POSIXProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Topic :: Multimedia :: Sound/Audio :: MIDITopic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python Modules |
Evidence: python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp310-cp310-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp310-cp310-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp310-cp310-win_amd64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp311-cp311-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp311-cp311-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp311-cp311-win_amd64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp312-cp312-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp312-cp312-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp312-cp312-manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp312-cp312-manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp312-cp312-win_amd64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp38-cp38-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp38-cp38-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp38-cp38-manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp38-cp38-manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; python_rtmidi-1.5.8-cp38-cp38-win_amd64.whl
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See also mido · pyobjc-framework-CoreMIDI · symusic · pretty-midi · python-osc · music21 · wiim · PyAudio · python-mpv