---
id: python-rtmidi
version: "1.5.8"
license: Copyright & License =================== python-rtmidi was written by Christopher Arndt, 2012 - 2023. The software is released unter the MIT License: Copyright (c) 2012 - 2023 Christopher Arndt… (full text in the JSON record)
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: aging
---

# python-rtmidi — A Python binding for the RtMidi C++ library implemented using Cython.

License: permissive · Maintenance: aging · Downloads: 103.5K/mo

## 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 above — verify before relying.

python-rtmidi provides a Python interface to the RtMidi C++ library for sending and receiving MIDI messages across Windows, macOS, and Linux systems.

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

pip install python-rtmidi
uv add python-rtmidi
poetry add python-rtmidi

## Installing python-rtmidi

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.

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)

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.

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: Copyright & License =================== python-rtmidi was written by Christopher Arndt, 2012 - 2023. The software is released unter the MIT License: Copyright (c) 2012 - 2023 Christopher Arndt… (full text in the JSON record) (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: medium
- Maintenance: aging
- Downloads: 103.5K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

MIDI input output python, realtime MIDI control, cross-platform MIDI library, send receive MIDI messages, MIDI port management, music hardware interface, MIDI synthesizer control, midi, audio-hardware, music-production

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