IMHO Midisport is expensive, bulky and needs firmware
to be
loaded.
Maybe. But the 8x8 has a true patchbay which can be connected
in any way you like.
The Edirol 880 seems to be the same, but it isn't. It can
actually do connections as you like, but it can only do 1
merging connection per patch. It's a hard limitation as soon
as you want to independent from your computer. And it is more
expensive than the Midisport.
Best regards
ce