Second Midi Interface or a Midi Merge Unit ?

t_tangent · Post by **t_tangent** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:33 pm

I have recently upgraded my studio and aquired some hardware synths and fx units to complement my Scope system. I obviously needed a midi interface to run this outboard gear and ended up getting an AMT8 which works great. I was able to give most synths and fx units both a Midi In and Out port directly to and from the AMT8, but some of the outboard had to be connected via midi thru from some of the other synths, as I had run out of midi outs from the AMT8.

I now want to be able to save patches from most of the outboard as and when I have created one I like. But there are not enough midi ins on the AMT8 for each hardware unit, so it seems I either need to get a MIDI merge box (something like the Philip Rees 5M if I can find one - 5 ins and 1 out should be enough for now) or else get another AMT8 (or Unitor 8 I believe) which would give me full midi in & out connections direct to and from the rest of the outboard on its own midi interface port.

Can anyone else with a similar setup advise me as to which of these items would be the better to get. I dont think I will be getting too much more hardware in the future, but one never knows, or would a midi merge be enough to enable connecting the outs from the other devices to one of the free AMT8 ins and then back to the PC.

Also if the midi interface is a better idea do I have to get a Unitor 8 or will another AMT8 also work together with the existing one.

Sorry if this may be off topic, but it is sort of related to my Scope setup. Thanks for any advice

Post by **garyb** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:48 pm

how about a midi patch bay?

kylie · Post by **kylie** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 11:45 pm

garyb wrote:how about a midi patch bay?

isn't the amt8 a midi patchbay (among other things)?
I read that the amt and the unitor series as well can be cascaded (up to 8 units), so it wouldn't be a bad idea to get another one imho.

-greetings, markus-

Post by **garyb** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 12:48 am

there you go..

t_tangent · Post by **t_tangent** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 3:36 am

Thanks for the replies. I guess getting another Midi interface/patchbay is the way to go then. I think I'll get the Unitor 8 MKII as that has some other features that might come in handy too, and can cascade together with the AMT8 to give double the io's

Thanks chaps

Post by **hubird** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:03 pm

If mony isn't a problem I'd also go for real midi bay instead of a merger.
Btw, those small merger boxes like from Anatek not always work in every setup., and not every midi-out implements power for the box.
Whatever you choose: both type of gear are wanted and can always be sold if you change your mind.

t_tangent · Post by **t_tangent** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 3:43 pm

Thanks again chaps,

Yeah I think I'll leave the merger and go for the midi interface/patchbay as that will also give more options later on if and when I need (can afford) to get some more outboard

Cheers for all the advice.

t_tangent · Post by **t_tangent** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 6:36 pm

Thinking about it again after having read the latest news about Scope 5 and Windows Vista, it might be a better idea to get another Midi Interface/Patchbay that has Vista Drivers too, otherwise when the time comes...if it ever does to switch to Vista on my Scope setup then I would have to sell 2 AMT8 units instead of one. Can anyone recommend another midi patchbay, perhaps the Edirol UM-880 or the Motu or Midisport. They all have vista driver support I believe, but are they as reliable as the AMT8. Thanks

dawman · Post by **dawman** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:26 am

www.midisolutions.com

t_tangent · Post by **t_tangent** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:25 am

Thanks Jimmy,
Yeah I had a look on the midisolutions site, but I couldn't see a unit that had both multi in/out, unless there is a way to combine the multi out unit with the multi in one. But I will email them and see what they say. Thanks though, as they do have some useful products to keep in mind
Cheers

t_t

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 11:37 am

t_tangent wrote:Can anyone recommend another midi patchbay, perhaps the Edirol UM-880 or the Motu or Midisport.

No problems at all here with the UM-880. They're great units for the price actually and I really like the 2 front side ins & outs which are very handy. The switchable front & rear usb ports are handy as well. Haven't had a single problem & that includes intensive control signals being passed through for a Nord modular KB as well as sysex dumps to various equipment such as a Soundart Chameleon.

I can't comment on other midi units since we moved to edirol midi units a few years back.

t_tangent · Post by **t_tangent** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:19 am

Thanks for the info shroomz. There was one on ebay the other day, but it went for more than I offered

But now I know, I will keep a look out. Thanks again

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:49 am

No worries. I guess you should be able to get one 2nd hand for 80-100 quid plus postage on a good day.