midi rack?

[overdose2this]

what is a good price midi patchbay for the price range of 100-300? any advice? peace

[MOFO Pro]

MOTU Midi Express is a good unit... and dirt cheap used if you look for a pre-USB unit. These interface with your PC using the LTP printer port on your computer. You have to make sure the port is configured corectly... but once you get the thing running... it's a quality piece, and solid as a rock...

[altitude909]

You have to make sure the port is configured corectly... but once you get the thing running...

Ha! and good luck getting to that point. Took me hours of googling to get mine running and even then, it would lose connection and the fact that you have to reboot your computer every time you turn it off and on makes the parallel version of this thing a complete waste of time and its no surprise that they sell for nothing.

I'm a cubase user so I run a pair of 8x8 Midex interfaces (the ones made by steinberg)but if your looking for a hardware patchbay vs a pc interface that works as a patchbay look for an MX-8

[SonicAlbert]

Are you looking for a midi patchbay or a midi interface? The suggestions so far have been for midi interfaces.

[altitude909]

the midi express can be used as a standalone patchbay but can only programmed via computer however The DMC mx-8 is a full blown standalone. I only recommended my Midex 8s as software patchable

[overdose2this]

i want to hook up my mpc 1000, my motif ees rack, my micron, my 8 track digital recorder, and possibly more synths and racks when i get some more cash. but also i am wantign the reason 3.0 sounds, but can use that standalone pathcbay midi out and in with my motu fastlane if i can......... i love hardware the most, but love the sounds in reason and sequence in my mpc.

[ssscientist]

I've been using an MPC1000 for sequencing lately too, and it has 32 midi channels spread over 2 independent midi outputs. For the amount of gear you list I would recommend that you keep things as simple as possible.

I have tried an endless series of midi patchers, patchbays and thru boxes over the years and have finally come back to using the midi thru to hook up downstream midi modules. It seems very attractive at first to have the ability to patch anything anywhere, but I realized after a while I was just using a small number --- like maybe two or three --- of the available memories. And the myth that midi data gets delayed when you string two modules together is just that - a myth.

For example, you could hook up your Micron (which is only 8 voice) and your Motif ES to output A, then route output B into the digital 8 track, then out the thru of that into the computer to control Reason. The advantage to doing it this way is that all you need to do to select a different instrument is dial up the appropriate track on a properly set up MPC1000 song template.


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[mikeh]

I recently purchased an M-Audio MIDISport. It's 8 x 8 interface which may be overkill for your application. I have 4 seperate MIDI controllers and trigger 6 MIDI sound modules and also use MIDI to control various hardware processors - so I decided to get a more complex unit.

The MIDISport was recently on clearance at Guitar Center and I got it for about $200.

Before that, for seveal years I used a simple MIDI Pacthbay/Merger made by Digital Music Corp (model MX-28M). I doubt they make them anymore but for about $70 it had 2 in and 8 out. Each of the outs has a switch which controls if the out is from input 1 or 2.

I do agree with ssscientist that given your set up you don't need anything too complicated. On the other hand I know I started out with a simple 1 in 4 out MIDI merger, thinking I would not need more than that and I was continuously adding other MIDI mergers as I used MIDI to control more and more things.

The right unit for you depends both on what your current needs are and what you anticipate you may need (if you think your MIDI application may expand.

[overdose2this]

aight thanks everyone. yeah i think i will just my midi thrus until i get some more gear then i will start looking for something a little more helpful. polus this gves me time to save up my cash for real. aight yall good lookin ont he advice. peace