Merge/Patch/Route ???

  • Thread starter Thread starter BentRabbit
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BentRabbit

BentRabbit

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OK, first let me say that I'm still just learning how to spell 'MIDI' so I'll apologize in advance for sounding like a total rainman at times... :confused:

I'm synching my Fostex MR-8 and my Alesis MMT-8. The Fostex is selfish and will only send MTC so it will not slave to the MMT. I was able to get that portion of the show functional, but now I'm faced with the problem of recording onto the MMT WHILE it's synched to the MR-8 to play along with some of the pre-recorded digital tracks... Since the only 'IN' port on the MMT is already in use, I'm in need of a Midi Merge device.

So, here's where I need advice from the Midi Guru's:

I've been looking at devices that can do things like 'Merge', 'Patch', and 'Route' , but trying to track down info on some of the used models (read --> 'affordable' :rolleyes: ) is kinda tough... Logically, I would think that a 'Merger' and a 'Router' are the same thing?
I have an opportunity to pick up a MOTU Midi Time Piece I for pretty cheap... Will that act as a standalone unit to merge multiple IN's to a single OUT?

Sorry for being long-winded... Any help will be greatly appreciated...

Dave G
 
BentRabbit said:
Logically, I would think that a 'Merger' and a 'Router' are the same thing?
Click to expand...

Dave -

'Merging' and 'routing' are two different things. Merging blends two data streams together while routing keeps them separate and just brings them to their respective destinations.

Unless there's a VERY good reason for you to continue to use that 1987 MMT8, buy a slightly less antique stand-alone seqencer that supports the same kind of timecode as your multitrack does and possibly has a floppy disc drive for storage.

Also, I have a tiny midi merge box with two ins and two outs. It was made by MidiMan about 10 years ago and mine's still going so you may be able to find one of those...
 
I've seen the Midiman merge boxes pop up on ebay occasionally... Of course, now that I'm actually watching for one they'll probably hide... ;)

The MMT was pretty much a gift for me to get my feet wet in sequencing... I can see where I will outgrow it, but for now, the MR-8 can successfully trigger it, and I haven't filled the memory capacity while learning the in's/out's (yet...)

So, back to Merging and Routing... For my needs (keeping the MMT slaved AND recording a new track simultaneously), can I get by with a Merger *OR* a Router? Or does it have to be specifically Merged into one Input signal?
 
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BentRabbit said:
can I get by with a Merger *OR* a Router? Or does it have to be specifically Merged into one Input signal?
Click to expand...

It has to be 'specifically merged' into one input STREAM. Routing will do nothing for your intended application - it's midi merging you want.
 
The Edirol UM550 and UM880 boxes have MIDI merge functionality if that helps. I think they both have been discontinued, but should still be available.

Also try HERE. They have a number of different boxes to solve all sorts of MIDI patching problems.

Ted
 
Hi Ted, and thanx for the tip...

I ended up finding a MusicQuest 8 Port SE for real cheap that is working wonderfully for my rats nest of Midi cables... It's handling the merging and routing chores I'm needing so far very nicely.
I also picked up a MidiMan 2x2 Merge box 'just in case', but so far haven't even had to plug it in.
But now that I'm able to record live onto the MMT, I can REALLY see how I'll be upgrading it in the very near future...
 
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