Midi Interface Questions....

[Dolemite]

Hey guys...I'm in need of a basic MIDI interface to use between my PC and my Korg Prophecy. I'm not too knowledgeable about MIDI so I have a couple questions about how best to do this:

1. Is there any reason not to use a cheap soundcard's MIDI interface? I already have the cable and everything, I just haven't had time to try it out. I have heard that these can have more sync/timing issues than a dedicated interface. BTW, I would just be using the cheap-ass card just for the interface - I have a separate card for recording (Midiman Dman 2044).

2. Are there any major advantages to a more advanced MIDI interface like a MOTU Micro Express (as opposed to either the soundcard or a cheap Midiman interface) for sequencing one or two synths on a DAW?

 

[Krakit]

Take this for what it's worth

I don't have a whole lot of real MIDI experience. I kinda missed the whole trend.

Anyway, I've been using a Soundblaster AWE64 and a Voyetra MIDI adpater in my joystick port.

I have not had any problems with this configuration so far, but I have also not taxed it too hard either.

I'm thinking about getting a MOTU parallel flyer off of ebay, but that's only because they are so cheap and HAVE to be better than my current set up. At least I believe that it will be better.

One thing I have learned is that USB MIDI is NOT what it's cracked up to be.

Hope that I helped you at least a little bit.

Carl

P.S. Get yourself a book on MIDI. I recommend The Midi Files by Rob Young.

 

[Krakit]

Krakit, why do you say that USB MIDI is not what it's cracked up to be? I haven't had any problem but my setup is fairly simple..... I haven't got to the point of doing entire arrangements with a lot of patch changes and stuff like that. I'm not much of a keyboard player but would like to be able to add strings and horns someday when I get on a roll and actually start making serious attempts to create something with all this hardware.

I was reading a thread here and this was addressed. Someone addressed the midi via USB issue in it a posted a link to an article about it.

I found the thread, here it is:
Click Me

I don't have any personal experience in this matter though. I was just accepting what I read.