To MiaMidi users and admirers out there

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dumbil
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Dumbil

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The MiaMidi sounds very suitable for me in many aspects. It has.

- 2 ins which I can record a mic and guitar at the same time. I don't need tons of inputs since my work will be more on acoustic.
- Midi I/O to fill in drums and synth.
- 8 virual outputs allows to be used on different apps simultaneuosly.
- Better S/N ratio compared to M-audio Audiophile 2496 which uses the same ADC chip - AK4528.
- Balanced 1/4" jack for better analog signals, low background noise.

But....
I went to Echo website to find MiaMidi spec, it's not there! MIA spec doesn't say anything about Midi. Also website like musicianfriend.com has it on sale but stated that it's NON-RETURNABLE item!!!

Googled for its review and usage but couldn't find anyone who REALLY mentioned about it and its Midi features, even in this board :(

What's up with that? Is there gonna be a problem with Midi recordind/playback or its driver? It's kinda skeptical. Please let me know if anyone has used or is using it. Thanks!
 
I've been using a standard Mia card for over a year. Love it and have had no problems.

I can't believe the MiaMidi has anything more than a MIDI port tacked onto it, so I doubt there'd be any problems... personally, I've been using a Midiman USB port 'just so I have something universal to move from PC-to-PC.

If you decide to get a Mia, be sure to check the compatibility page on Echo's website... I had a lot of people ask me about problems they were having with the card and it turned out they had duff motherboards that are specifically NOT supported. So check out the list on the website (a good idea no matter what manufacturer of interface you buy....)
 
You need more than MIDI I/O to "fill in drums and synth." MIDI I/O is purely a MIDI interface -- a way to receive and send MIDI messages to and from the computer. You need a MIDI instrument receiving the MIDI messages and a MIDI controller to send the messages (the instrument and controller are often the same thing, as in a standard keyboard synth).
 
Dumbil,

I can't state this for absolute certainty, but I would guess that the specs for the Echo Mia and MiaMIDI would be identical in every respect apart from addition of the MIDI connector.

As for being a non-returnable item, you needen't worry. I very much doubt you'll be sending it back :) Not unless it's dead on arrival - in which case your consumer rights will surely be respected, even by MusiciansFriend.

Also be aware that there is no sound chip on the Mia (or the Audiophile for that matter) so you won't be hearing any MIDI files on playback unless you have a software synthesizer or some other means of reproducing sounds, as AlChuck says.

I have CakeWalk HomeStudio2002 which has a soft synth bundled with it, Edirol Virtual Sound Canvas. The sounds VSC reproduces are no better than a crappy SoundBlaster though. :) But at least it enables me to compose backing tracks.

Rest assured the MiaMIDI is a superb sound card. But do as Tim O'Brien suggests, and check out your MOBO compatibility.

--
BluesMeister
 
AlChuck said:
You need more than MIDI I/O to "fill in drums and synth." MIDI I/O is purely a MIDI interface -- a way to receive and send MIDI messages to and from the computer. You need a MIDI instrument receiving the MIDI messages and a MIDI controller to send the messages (the instrument and controller are often the same thing, as in a standard keyboard synth).
Click to expand...

I have midi keyboard and logic to use for creating drums and synth track thru Midi channel. Forgot to mention that :)

Thanks
 
Haven't checked the thread for a few days. Work is sucking my life..man!

Anyways, thanks for the replies. I have e-mailed Echo about the spec and some questions about MiaMidi such as

- How many Midi channels it support.
- Is there a special circuit on the card that handle midi separately..which it should be - I might not have to ask that but wanted to make sure...
- Do they provide specific driver to configure it for midi and does it support windows XP.

I hope they will reply me soon and I will post their reply here.
 
I got the reply from Echo. They are really responsive. Very good in customer service.

They said the manual and spec is online now and it is. I checked it and they added a few pages of MiaMidi features to the previous one.

They also answered my dumb questions as following quote.

" MiaMIDI has the exact same specs and features for audio as Mia, but with the addition of MIDI input and ouput for 16 channels of MIDI. There is a special circuit on the MiaMIDI cards that handles MIDI, so the old Mia card is not upgradeable. As long as you have the Echo24 driver version 6.07 or above, you will be able to use MiaMIDI. MiaMIDI comes with the 6.07 driver on a CDROM. MiaMIDI works on Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP and Mac OS 8/9 & X, but there is no MIDI support under Windows 95/98/Me or Mac OS 8/9 so it will work just like a normal Mia. The software console will recognize it as a Mia card since there are no MIDI controls on our console, but under Win 2000/XP and Mac OS X it will be recognized as a MIDI I/O device. "

Hope this helps if anyone is interested in buying this product. And I'll do it right after the post :)
 
Dumbil,

You have made the right choice. Well done :)

--
BluesMeister
 
Mr. Blue,

Thanks! My MIaMidi will arrive next week. Can't wait install and use it!

It is pretty good price - $185 (including S&H).
 
Mr. Blue,

Thanks! My MIaMidi will arrive next week. Can't wait install and use it!

It is pretty good price - $185 (including S&H).
 
Yep Dumbil, I heard you first time! :D

That's a pretty good deal you got there, I paid more for my Terratec EWX24/96 about 2 years ago ($199 from memory).

My final choice of audiocard was between the Echo Mia and the Terratec. In the end I went for the Terratec only because it had a MIDI connector.

Now there is no contest.

Echo MiaMIDI wins every time. Simply the best... You have chosen wisely. :)

--
BluesMeister
 
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