USB MIDI Interface - Which one?

[Anonex]

Hi Folks,

are there any other USB MIDI Interfaces (preferrably 8 I/O or more) on the market than the MOTU one that are worth mentioning?
Currently I´m running an Midiman 2x2 and Oxygen 8 Keyboard and they didn´t cause me any trouble yet. Just want to change to one bigger interface to eliminate the mad "daisy chaining" going on at the moment and to free some Space on my Desk for more mad gear.

How do you trigger your Synths/Effects via PC? Which MIDI Interfaces do you use?


Answers are welcome, thanks in advance

[pyvnd]

There are others. Edirol makes some (various sizes) and I think m-audio has a 8*8 as well. I use a Yamaha 256 something or other. It's a 6*6 and works very well although the software interface set up thing is a bit confusing at first. And you must have the computer turned on for it to work even if you are using all hardware. And I'm pretty sure it's no longer for sale. Look at the Edirol ones. I have no first-hand experience with them but they seem ok. I got my Yamaha usb-midi interface for $99 on sale when they were getting rid of them. If you see one used get it.

[Eric J]

There seems to be a serious gap in the market for MIDI interfaces at the moment. The only 8 x 8 MIDI interfaces I see even listed on some of the major retailers are the MOTU 128 (which I have) and the TimePiece. The rest are 4 x 4 or smaller.

[plaid_emu]

I've got the 4X4 version of the ESI Miditerminal and it works great. Got it on sale for $79 when they were $129.

Here's a link to the 8X8 model.

There's a new USB 2.0 version but it's considerably more expensive.

I'm wondering if USB 2.0 is really going to make a difference in timing or latency? I don't notice any issues with my USB 1.0 model.
Anyone care to entertain this question?

[Eric J]

Originally Posted by plaid_emu

I'm wondering if USB 2.0 is really going to make a difference in timing or latency? I don't notice any issues with my USB 1.0 model.
Anyone care to entertain this question?

My GUESS would be not much difference. Even with all 8 ports sending loads of CC messages, Beat Clock and what have you, MIDI data is so tiny that I highly doubt it would get even close to overwhelming the USB bus, even at 1.0 speeds.

[andrewsc]

I've tried several of them over the years and Edirol UM880 has been the least hassle best functioning for me so far. Not sure if they make it any more, but used may be an option, I bet some dealers may have old stock. Edirol seems good in terms of build quality, features, and timing. Some of this may depend on DAW integration, like if they have some fancy timestamp feature, but I think some of the timestamp claims may be hype. A futuristic firewire midi interface on the other hand (probably have to wait a few years, just RME 1x1 on the firewire audio interface is the only one so far AFAIK) can give very tight timing.

Tried:
Emagic Unitor = was overly complicated for my needs, too many sync options / modes, early usb implementation (mid 90's) was tricky to get going
Steinberg Midex - can't remember
M-Audio 8x8 - old design, new paint each year, mine just broke one day, I've heard this from several people

[Jorg]

ive got the maudio 8x8. no problems here.

[cornutt]

For the money I still don't think you can beat the MOTU Midi Express. That Edirol one does look interesting, but I'm pretty sure it's out of production. Digi makes a 10x10 one, but I think it only works with Protools. I've heard of a lot of people having problems with the M-Audio 8x8 -- apparently it doesn't handle time-stamped data properly.

[Eric J]

Originally Posted by cornutt

For the money I still don't think you can beat the MOTU Midi Express.

+1. Seems to be the best value for the money on the market at the moment. Solid build quality and very few problems.

[synthoid]

A cheap one that works reliably and can be ganged together for up to nine MIDI ports: Edirol UM-3EX.
-synthoid

[Farshad]

Originally Posted by andrewsc

Edirol UM880

+1. Works great. Never had a problem with. There are even Vista drivers for it which I am using now.

[Mantik]

If you use them on stage from time to time, get yourself an Edirol because they feel very stable and they wont get crashed as easy as other ones.

besides of that the touch of the the keyboard feels very handy and not too "crappy plastic"-like and they have a very good and functional usability (memory sets and stuff like that)

[jaykay]

Ever thought of a second hand Emagic amt8 or Unitor 8? I've had one for the last 8 years, 8 in 8 out...........solid performer and cheap on ebay.

[ILLFLO]

Originally Posted by Eric J

There seems to be a serious gap in the market for MIDI interfaces at the moment. The only 8 x 8 MIDI interfaces I see even listed on some of the major retailers are the MOTU 128 (which I have) and the TimePiece. The rest are 4 x 4 or smaller.

Hey man, i just picked up the Motu xt 8x8... using it wit the fantom XR, JV-1080 and a nord lead. i'm getting this hanging note thing i just cant get rid of... any ideas?

[ILLFLO]

Originally Posted by Anonex

Hi Folks,

are there any other USB MIDI Interfaces (preferrably 8 I/O or more) on the market than the MOTU one that are worth mentioning?
Currently I´m running an Midiman 2x2 and Oxygen 8 Keyboard and they didn´t cause me any trouble yet. Just want to change to one bigger interface to eliminate the mad "daisy chaining" going on at the moment and to free some Space on my Desk for more mad gear.

How do you trigger your Synths/Effects via PC? Which MIDI Interfaces do you use?


Answers are welcome, thanks in advance

Any reason you dont want the motu?

[rachel]

I only use "smart" interfaces like the AMT-8 as I rely heavily on all sorts of MIDI filtering
for all my strange gear.

If the AMT-8 ceases to be supported by Apple in the future, I will have to hope someone
reverse engineers the Unitor control program so the AMT can be edited/updated.

If that is not the case, my next choice is the Edirol UM-880 as it is apparently very
good and has lots of filter options. Perhaos someone can tell me if the Edirol units
can be edited from the front panel as well as the computer or not?

edit - I just downloaded the manual for the Edirol and the MIDI filter
appears to be limited somehow to a single "merge port". Not what
you want if manipulating MIDI messages is your bag..... ....like me....


rachel

[space2012]

well,

good & bad & ugly news

the pci Midi are much better than USB, when properly designed.

USB are too much dependant on the USB chip model in the PC, and the cable used. must be OFC, 24k gold contacts, for real time midi.

for example:
some USB HDD external cases like thermaltake,
with same HDD, performs totally diferent in diferent PC USB ports.
in some PCs with USB2.0 measured with HDTach3.0.4 goes 22MB/s, and in some goes near 34MB/s
when goes at 22MB/s the chip inside thermaltake external usb hdd case, overheats.

USB 2.0 does not guarantee good performance. some chips perform better than others, asus boards have good chips. compaq usb stinks.

USB1.0, its absolute crap, "speed its not the quality performance"
USB1.0 1MB/s its way more than 32000bps of MIDI, but.... USB1.0 Quality sucks.
becouse midi needs to be in real time, not like a file, that can be transfered at diferent speeds. files can be buffered.
midi needs to be as accurate as possible,
same like wordclocks and AD/DA chips.

usign the Midi Loop test, with no Midi out in the second midi channel.
to avoid feedback when record is active and monitor input its automatic in the software.

my novation remote 61sl performs from bad 6000samples of latency in USB1.0 to 21.000 samples of latency "near half a second of latency" when used for 20 minutes in play record stop.

when you have 128 samples of latency, its 128 in and 128 out.

but in the same old pc, compaq 4700 p4 1.6mhz 400fsb. 256mb pc133.
my RME hdsp9632 has an amazing 61 to 68 "jitter" samples of latency.

but PCI does not guarantee Midi quality.
i had a Genius $5usd. soundcard with a sb joystick/midi cable. tested in a intel p3 750mhz, and the midi was totally crap. everything i midi recorded was distorted. like when you have midi feedback.

i guess pci jitter can be minimized with a better power supply with low noise/ripple, like pcpower.com 850/1200 or antec signature sg-650/850
+ an external regulator and filter unit like furman ar-15ii.
in most PSU 3.3v, 5v & 12v are verry dirty and unstable. its almost incredible that the PC works.
power is the source.


i would recomend novationmusic remote 61sl, or the zero, becouse the automap its amazing. has 2 midi outs 1 midi in, 1 thru
but.. you must buy all brands of PCI to USB2.0 cards and make lots of midi loops tests. to know the best brand/chip model.

same happens with firewire, only the Ti chip works best. VIA FW chip stinks for audio.

but, i think midi chain is better if:
#1. you have a low latency low jitter midi interface like rme hdsp9632 or better,
but whats better?
#2. you use those midi merge & thru boxes with hi qualiy jitter and signal regeneration, like kenton or midi solutions.
would be nice to make a midi loop test with lots of chain thru devices with and without those boxes too.

i would like to see more midi loop tests "without feedback" of diferent midi interfaces & pcs. to know whats really the best midi interface.
i dont think thers something better than RME hdsp9632 midi but i would love to see more midi loop tests.

[Sam an huel]

Originally Posted by Farshad

+1. Works great. Never had a problem with. There are even Vista drivers for it which I am using now.

+2.

[space2012]

Originally Posted by Sam an huel

+2.

would like to see more midi loop tests "without feedback" of diferent midi interfaces & pcs. to know whats really the best midi interface.
i dont think thers something better than RME hdsp9632 midi but i would love to see more midi loop tests.

*the best midi interface search... can you help?

[spunkadellic]

unitor8

logic 8

intel mac pro

works great..

[Sam an huel]

Originally Posted by space2012

would like to see more midi loop tests "without feedback" of diferent midi interfaces & pcs. to know whats really the best midi interface.
i dont think thers something better than RME hdsp9632 midi but i would love to see more midi loop tests.

*the best midi interface search... can you help?

If i could i definitely did your test but i just can't do anymore, i sold it with some hardware few years ago but i never noticed any problem while syncing EMU E64000, EMU SP12turbo, Oberheim Xpander, waldorf microwaveXT, Clavia nord rack 3.

Some sequencers are crap too when it comes to midisync! (ableton live)