Best no compromise midi interface ???

SK1 · 2nd November 2007

Slutz !

I'm mostly on logic with apogee ad16x/da16x converters. I've got a m audio midisport 8x8 that's suspect to say the least.

What is the best no compromise midi interface out there? I need something that is rock solid, easy to operate and worry free.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

RadioBox · 2nd November 2007

What kind of problems are you having with your midisport 8x8? I've had one for almost two years, and have had no problems at all. In fact, it's the only m-audio gear I haven't had any problems with. Maybe you have a dud.

SK1 · 2nd November 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by RadioBox

What kind of problems are you having with your midisport 8x8? I've had one for almost two years, and have had no problems at all. In fact, it's the only m-audio gear I haven't had any problems with. Maybe you have a dud.

Mine has worked well for a few years, even though I've always been suspicious of the build quality. Now it's acting up.

There must be something better ..... right ??

cornutt · 2nd November 2007

I know of at least one DAW developer who won't support the Midisport 8x8 because he says it has unfixable problems.

Quite frankly, of everything that's on the market right now, the MOTU MTP and MIDI Express USB are probably the best of the lot. I haven't tried the Digi interface, but I've been told by a couple of users that it has some problems. Some people really raved about the Opcode interfaces when they were on the market, but the company is gone (flattened by the Gibson steamroller) and support isn't available any more.

SK1 · 2nd November 2007

Cool thank you.

It's definitely time to get a new midi interface.

I'm looking at the Roland edirol um-3ex. Does anyone have experience with one ??

I guess there is no such thing as a "high end" midi interface.

Something I never thought about until mine started bugging out.

Dave Peck · 2nd November 2007

I originally had a combination MIDI + digital audio interface card and when I upgraded my system I got an high-end audio interface and needed a separate USB MIDI interface, so I first tried a MOTU MicroLite and it didn't work with all of my synths. In particular the original Nord Modular synth requires a separate dedicated MIDI port for the synth's graphic interface and for transfering patches between the synth and PC, and the MOTU would lock up every time I tried to load a patch from the PC. It couldn't handle the heavy MIDI traffic (the Nord Modular is sort of a 'worst case' torture test for a MIDI interface). I replaced the MOTU with an Edirol UM-550 and have had no problems since.

SK1 · 3rd November 2007

thanks dave .... i have a colleague with a nord so that's good to know.

Leaning towards the edirol .......

Anybody else ???? Please chime in.

aussie_techie · 3rd November 2007

Pro Tools still doesnt support M-Audio MIDI interfaces and if digi cant work that out now i wouldn't hold my breath about M-Audio MIDI interfaces ever being very solid with any app that need decent bandwidth.

i have a UM880 that im happy with, the timing isnt sample accurate but this is MIDI we are talking about and ive never noticed timing being off and the drivers have always just worked without problems.

i think the UM880 and digi MIDI i/o are the closest thing to a 'high end' MIDI interfaces around and i would only buy a digi midi i/o if your using pro tools anyway.

i dont think they make the UM550 and UM880 anymore but they are still developing drivers and i think the entire UM series uses pretty much the same driver anyway. i havnt used the smaller Edirol or the re branded Roland interfaces to know if they are any different. i would say if u can find a UM880 (or 550 if you dont mind a line lump) then get it stick it in your rack and dont think about it unless you want to change your MIDI patching.

MOTU seem good with logic but not so good on PC and i wouldnt buy into something that is geared towards a single platform.

AlexRoudos · 3rd November 2007

Using a Motu Midi Express 128 on a PC for some time now and have no problems at all. A couple of times it wasn't detected by the pc but i think it was a faulty start up. Unplug and replug its usb cable and it was there immediately.

2nd November 2007	#1
SK1 Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,142 Thread Starter	Best no compromise midi interface ??? Slutz ! I'm mostly on logic with apogee ad16x/da16x converters. I've got a m audio midisport 8x8 that's suspect to say the least. What is the best no compromise midi interface out there? I need something that is rock solid, easy to operate and worry free. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

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2nd November 2007	#2
RadioBox Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 600	What kind of problems are you having with your midisport 8x8? I've had one for almost two years, and have had no problems at all. In fact, it's the only m-audio gear I haven't had any problems with. Maybe you have a dud.

2nd November 2007	#4
cornutt Gear addict Joined: May 2006 Posts: 497	I know of at least one DAW developer who won't support the Midisport 8x8 because he says it has unfixable problems. Quite frankly, of everything that's on the market right now, the MOTU MTP and MIDI Express USB are probably the best of the lot. I haven't tried the Digi interface, but I've been told by a couple of users that it has some problems. Some people really raved about the Opcode interfaces when they were on the market, but the company is gone (flattened by the Gibson steamroller) and support isn't available any more.

2nd November 2007	#6
Dave Peck Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2005 Location: S.F bay area Posts: 2,302	I originally had a combination MIDI + digital audio interface card and when I upgraded my system I got an high-end audio interface and needed a separate USB MIDI interface, so I first tried a MOTU MicroLite and it didn't work with all of my synths. In particular the original Nord Modular synth requires a separate dedicated MIDI port for the synth's graphic interface and for transfering patches between the synth and PC, and the MOTU would lock up every time I tried to load a patch from the PC. It couldn't handle the heavy MIDI traffic (the Nord Modular is sort of a 'worst case' torture test for a MIDI interface). I replaced the MOTU with an Edirol UM-550 and have had no problems since.

3rd November 2007	#7
SK1 Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,142 Thread Starter	thanks dave .... i have a colleague with a nord so that's good to know. Leaning towards the edirol ....... Anybody else ???? Please chime in.

3rd November 2007	#8
aussie_techie Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2004 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 2,709	Pro Tools still doesnt support M-Audio MIDI interfaces and if digi cant work that out now i wouldn't hold my breath about M-Audio MIDI interfaces ever being very solid with any app that need decent bandwidth. i have a UM880 that im happy with, the timing isnt sample accurate but this is MIDI we are talking about and ive never noticed timing being off and the drivers have always just worked without problems. i think the UM880 and digi MIDI i/o are the closest thing to a 'high end' MIDI interfaces around and i would only buy a digi midi i/o if your using pro tools anyway. i dont think they make the UM550 and UM880 anymore but they are still developing drivers and i think the entire UM series uses pretty much the same driver anyway. i havnt used the smaller Edirol or the re branded Roland interfaces to know if they are any different. i would say if u can find a UM880 (or 550 if you dont mind a line lump) then get it stick it in your rack and dont think about it unless you want to change your MIDI patching. MOTU seem good with logic but not so good on PC and i wouldnt buy into something that is geared towards a single platform.

3rd November 2007	#9
AlexRoudos Gear nut Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 112	Using a Motu Midi Express 128 on a PC for some time now and have no problems at all. A couple of times it wasn't detected by the pc but i think it was a faulty start up. Unplug and replug its usb cable and it was there immediately.