Serial port ?

I want to connect my old synthesizer to my new computer. My computer doesn't have any serial ports though, which is how I connected it to my old computer. For my old computer, I connected the IN cabled to an UltraSound MIDI adapter which plugged into the computer via a serial port.
So what's the cheapest way to get my synthesizer hooked up to my new computer?
I've looked at the Source and CompuSmart, and all I found was a USB to male serial cord which costs $30. Trouble is, if I want to use my old method of plugging it in, then I would need a USB to female serial cord. Plus $30, for a cord? Eh..
It would be ideal if I could have serial ports built into my PC, via some kind of serial port card?

EDIT: *Serial Port?

Do you have a yellow/orange socket thats slightly longer than a serial port but shorter than a parallel port? This is a midi/joystick port.

You should be able to get direct MIDI>PC cables and plug your synth straight into the PC that way. :)

Nope, only serialish ports I got are a long pink one (for a printer) and 2 monitor ports.

Hello.

Serial Port? Sounds like Red Oktober to me. (Apologies for OT banality)

Goodbye.

LMFAO.

Po, you can probrably buy a cheap Sound Blaster card with MIDI port for cheaper than the required cables....
INstall the card and then disable it in Device Manager, you'll still have access to the MIDI port on it :-)

well he got the long part right...

;)

--Mike

Go to a "Scrap" computer dealer and buy an old card with the right connection on it.
(If you look round those "Brick 'a Brack" market stalls or the like you sould find one for pennies)

Buy a USB to Serial converter. (Can't believe it wasn't suggested yet. Sheeesh.)

I never suggested it as there were better ways, though not necesarily easier.

USB>SERIAL introduces one more translation layer, which ultimately turns into latency problems. From my experience that is.

If I were to go with the USB>Serial method I would need not only the $30 cord but a gender changer as well which would bring the price up to about $40 probably.

The only sound card I could find with the midi port at the cheapest price is this one: http://www.thesourcecc.com/estore/Product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=Audio+Cards&product=2513047
Would using the card be better than using my built in audio? Or should I get this and just disable the card like Cygnum said?

Heh, why didn't I think of this before? Take the sound card out of one of my older computers and use it in my new one!

Po, pretty much what I suggested only, getting the old card from a PC rather than the shop.....

get a PCI serial card to add ports or see if there is a connector on ya mobo and get the ports from the manufacturer then connect them to that. They will be labeled COM1 and COM2 on the motherboard.

Get an USB based MIDI interface instead.