[LAU] slightly OT: MIDI management for physical synths

Slightly off topic of linux audio, but I need some MIDI advice and this is the only list I currently monitor with electonic musicians. I have a few hardware synths that I would like to begin using with my computer music setup. The last time I had them all set up I did not have a computer included in the system, so I had somewhat simpler connection needs. I have a MIDI interface with one port, and wondered if there is a better way of managing the MIDI connections than daisy chaining in and through ports on the synths. Especially for the input of the computer card, I now have more than one controller that I would like to alternate as the MIDI generating device. I think the essence of my question is what is the best arrangement for something like a patchbay for MIDI. There is a company called MIDI Solutions which has merge and splitter devices powered from the MIDI connection: http://www.midisolutions.com/products.htm That is the only current device I found. All the previous manufacturers of MIDI patch/merge devices seem to have stopped making any devices similar to the Roland A-880, Kawai MAV-8, Digital Music MX-8, etc. that I have found searching ebay. My first instinct is to buy or build a real physical patch bay, with a row of DIN connectors and patch cables to let me patch any device to computer in, computer out to any device in, and through from any device to any other device. Sounds like a pain now that I write it out, and something that should be done from an electronic interface rather than connectors and cables. What is everyone else with a large collection of MIDI hardware doing? Stacking up USB MIDI interfaces on a USB hub? Just hanging on to the vintage MIDI patch bays? Is there a current production model I have missed? -- Chris Caudle