midi multi module control

[EVT]

Hi all,
I was wondering.
If I use lets say a few different rackmountable sound modules, and I want to have them all permanently set up to work with my controller. What kind of midi control center-I'm not sure of what it is called?? can I get that would be rackmountable to connect all the modules with midi into it, so I can have a single midi cable going out of it into the controller, and then just maybe choose whichever module I want to use by choosing that channel. I've seen things that seem like they would be for computer setups though...
??
thanks,
evt

 

[Chrisjob]

Technically, if you can get all your modules operating on different channels, and your cables hooked up correctly, you wouldn't need any extra hardware, but I'd suggest a 'midi' mixer, which is ostensibly does the same thing as an audio mixer, controlls your ends and outs. You'll find one for under $100 dollars, but I doubt it'll be rackmountable.

 

[ssscientist]

Rack mounted midi processors have existed since the dawn of midi - and I've never found a good one.

You can get ultra-fancy and have every input and output have the option of going thru transposition, filtering, sysex buffering, selective note acceptance / rejection, etc, etc. --- but sooner or later you have to stop being a midi system programmer and go back to being a musician.

Most modern midi modules and keyboards have dispensed with the 'thru' port in favor of a 'soft thru' scheme in which you can switch the 'out' port to a 'thru' and back again as needed.

Even the pickiest midi guys I know have no problem stringing up to half a dozen midi devices together using thru's - midi delay (if any) can easily be compensated for by sliding the tracks a few milliseconds ahead in the sequencer, but I've never used that trick even on my densest midi compositions.

If you REALLY feel the need for something to act as a 'distribution center', I recommend something easy, small and analog --- Digital Music used to make some back in the hardware days...

 

[Krakit]

I used to use the MIDIman 8X3 box. A very good box for the money. However, I now use a MOTU Express XT. I've programmed 8 configurations into it (via computer software) and simply switch between them while gigging or practicing.

It has 8 ins and 8 outs.

I can't imagine anyone complaining about the MOTU. The only reason that I don't use the MIDIman anymore (still have it BTW) is because if only has 3 ins and wasn't rack mountable.

You could always buy a merge (as has been suggested) and set your modules to different MIDI channels. Then just assign your controllers as needed.

Carl

 

[fraserhutch]

What you want is either a midid patchbay or something like the old Yamaha MCS2 (which I still own.

The midi patchbay will allow you to store mappings that route midi channels. I used one live for many years (http://www.keyboardmuseum.org/ar/d/dmc/mx8.html)

The MCS2 (http://home.hccnet.nl/mark.strijbos/syn/mcs2.html) also has the ability to change the midi channel of the midi in and route it to its midi out. If you have more than a couple of midi devices on the back end, you would probably want to get a midi merge as cahining too many devices through midi in/thus can introduce midi delay.

Hope this helps a bit.

Fraser