MIDI interfaces

[jahrome]

Good day all,

I have been using the MPC3K to sequence my MIDI gear for quite some time now. I recently added an MV8K to the mix(just for sampling) as well.

Now, I would like to incorporate software sequencers into my set-up more. I currently have an RME DSP 9652 sound card that has 2 MIDI INs and 2 MIDI OUTs. The MIDI timing of the 9652 is great. But now, I want to connect more MIDI gear than I have MIDI OUTs for. I have used USB MIDI devices in the past with fair but not great results. I am looking for the most reliable MIDI interface for my MP that I can buy. I recently purchased a Steinberg MIDEX USB MIDI interface but they tried to pass off a used item as new so I don't want to give them anymore of my money.

So now, I am looking for suggestions for a quality MIDI interface...PCI or USB. Please feel free to input ideas related to the topic. Thanks.

[Shaz]

I have been using MidiMan Midisport 4x4 for the last two years with great results. I actually ran out of midi ports too so I recently ordered Edirol UM880, I have heard really good things about it, I should get in in the next week or so. I'll let you know how it works out. They are both USB interfaces.

[thunderkyss]

In-out-thru


Have you considered just running two midi loops??




Fantom-S
AW4416
Now all I need is talent.
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registered 21 May 2003

[dboulden]

I'm adding a second vote for the MisiSport 4x4. I've used one for years and never a single problem with it... ever.

Dave

http://www.drstudio.demon.co.uk/
"Some musicians have a physical block, some have a mental block, while others have a wooden block". Unfortunately, I'm in the 1st category!

[dansgold]

How many devices do you want to connect?

Why is it important to you that you have a unique MIDI interface for each device?

[dboulden]

Why is it important to you that you have a unique MIDI interface for each device?

It sounds like Jahrome touched on the issue of midi timing... I know for, my purposes, I always went with one i/f per device to keep midi timing as tight as possible... especially when you've got aftertouch and controller streams in the midi data.

Dave

http://www.drstudio.demon.co.uk/
"Some musicians have a physical block, some have a mental block, while others have a wooden block". Unfortunately, I'm in the 1st category!

[jahrome]

I want to create music and not have the creative process slowed by anything technical. I can't stress the importance of MIDI timing enough. PCI MIDI interfaces have always been good to me. I have received various results with USB.

I know that I can daisy chain my synths and use the INs and THRUs. But some gear are far superior than others regarding MIDI. I hope I don't get ambushed by Yamaha users, but the MIDI of MY Motif ES Rack is horrible.(that is another topic in itself). With daisy chaining MIDI instruments (please correct me if I am wrong) I have to go into the synths and tell them to not respond to certain MIDI channels. If not, when my keyboard controller plays the Motif patch assigned to MIDI channel 1, it will also play the MIDI patch of the Fantom assigned to MIDI channel 1. (when they are daisy chained). I like to keep it simple and willing to throw the extra dollars at having a MIDI interface that has plenty of OUTS to advoid this and any additonal fiddling with the synths. This is why I love my MPC 3K. I have 4 MIDI OUTS, each dedicated to a synth. I can easily cycle through the synths presets directly from the MPC.

I plan on adding 2 more synths (probably analog) for a total of 8. Using Steinberg's MIDEX 8 was a dream setup (when it worked) along with Nuendo 2's MIDI Device Manager. I am looking for a reliable MIDI interface. I looked at Pro Tools MIDI I/O but can't find any user experience with it.

[dboulden]

Jahrome,

I have to say I totally agree with you on the benefits of simplicity by dedicating each MIDI port to one device, that is exactly how I connect my midi gear (currently a selection of 4 synths, a drum machine, a V-Drum kit and a pair of digital mixers). The MidiSport range should suit you down to the ground. The range has recently had a cosmetic make-over, but the actual innards and the drivers have been around for several years... hence they are extremely mature and stable. My MidiSport 4x4 has served me faithfully for several years with never a single problem. The MidiSport range covers 2,4 and 8 I/O versions:

http://www.midiman.co.uk/index.php?do=p ... interfaces

The 8x8 can also work as a standalone patchbay if not connected to a PC, which can come in handy on occasion.

Dave

http://www.drstudio.demon.co.uk/
"Some musicians have a physical block, some have a mental block, while others have a wooden block". Unfortunately, I'm in the 1st category!

[dansgold]

If your only concern is getting everything synchronized, you can probably chain things just fine, as long as you don't chain more than 3 devices or so.

It really does sound as though you want very specific control of each device (i.e. the comments about multiple devices on channel one), so a distinct IN/OUT for each instrument seems called for.

I am betting that simply getting a multi-port interface might be ultimately frustrating however. You really need a MIDI switcher to be "fully buffed".

If you can find a used Yamaha MJC8 on eBay ... that's about as good as it gets, switcher-wise.

[dboulden]

Good suggestion Dansgold, but the only drawback of the MJC8 would be that you wouldn't be able to address 8 seperate devices from the PC as the MJC8 is a (physical) MIDI patch bay only.. i.e. it has no dedicated computer connection. I think the Midisport 8x8 would allow more flexibility since it can operate as a patchbay whether connected to a PC or not, but at the same time can offer 8 independent MIDI in/outs to the PC simultaneously. If only 4 ports are required then the Midisport 4x4 is quite a saving over the 8x8, but has no patchbay facilities buit-in.

Dave

http://www.drstudio.demon.co.uk/
"Some musicians have a physical block, some have a mental block, while others have a wooden block". Unfortunately, I'm in the 1st category!

[dansgold]

I meant the MJC8 as a companion to whatever interfaces were being used.

I wasn't aware that the Midisport 8x8 had switching features ... sounds like the way to go.

[dboulden]

"I meant the MJC8 as a companion to whatever interfaces were being used."

Sorry, yes, I see what you mean now )

Dave

http://www.drstudio.demon.co.uk/
"Some musicians have a physical block, some have a mental block, while others have a wooden block". Unfortunately, I'm in the 1st category!

[jcthemc]

I have a vsynth and a Fantom x6, the vsynth is slave and the x6 is master but i want to play the v-synth indepenently of the fantom. no matter what i do the vsynth plays anything that I hit on the fantom.

gimme some hints on this type of setup... I need the two boards to be syncd but be able to play independently on either and if i need to play on both just switch remote on in the vsynth

looking for cheap sound modules/analog synths

JC THE MC...

[dansgold]

JC:

I don't wish to be at all unkind, but your post is really of the kind I refered to in the "Unanswered Posts" section.

Seriously... what you need to do is learn the basics of MIDI.

The reason why your equipment is behaving the way that it does is because you just hooked up some cables without any idea what was supposed to happen.

Your best bet is to visit http://www.tweakheadz.com and go through the basic MIDI tutorials. That will clear up a lot of things for you.

[V10L3NT N3RD]

Do midi interfaces double as "external soundcards"?

Like the audiophile series?

Or am i mistaken here? I need a midi interface to connect my fantom to my comp... am not sure where to start...