A Daisy Chain is a method of connecting multiple devices in series, one after the other, like a chain.

In a daisy chain connection, the signal exits the first device and enters the second; the output of the second enters the third, and so on.

 

This configuration is very common in two situations in the audio world:

1. MIDI: To connect multiple synthesizers or sound modules to a single master keyboard. The connection is made using the MIDI Thru port, which forwards an exact copy of the signal that entered the MIDI In port. The flow is: MIDI Out from the master → MIDI In from the first slave; MIDI Thru from the first slave → MIDI In from the second, and so on.

2. Word Clock: To distribute a synchronization signal from a master clock to multiple digital devices, ensuring that they all operate at the same time.