3 Oct
2004
3 Oct
'04
12:27 p.m.
Greetings:
I'd like to gain some hands-on knowledge on setting up a MIDI
interface from my laptop to external gear. eBay lists a lot of USB MIDI
interfaces, but I'd like to know what users on the list recommend for an
inexpensive 1x1 or 2x2 box.
I'm also looking for a serial port interface, probably one of the Key
Midiator boxes. There's one on eBay now, but I'm being outbid on it by
someone who obviously wants it more than I do. If anyone has one to sell
please let me know, and I'd also like to know of anyone's experience
with the Midiator.
Finally, is there such a beast as a PCMCIA MIDI interface card ? Audio
cards I know about, but I don't recall ever seeing such a creature as a
PCMCIA MIDI card.
TIA!
dp
3 Oct
3 Oct
1:19 p.m.
domenica, 03 ottobre 2004 alle 10:30:05, Dave Phillips ha scritto:
Greetings:
I'd like to gain some hands-on knowledge on setting up a MIDI
interface from my laptop to external gear. eBay lists a lot of USB MIDI
interfaces, but I'd like to know what users on the list recommend for an
inexpensive 1x1 or 2x2 box.
Hi Dave,
As far as I can tell the edirol/roland UM1 (around $60) should work out of
the box. I also recently bought a evolution mk 425 c (around $140) that
work flawlessy and offers a 2 octave keyboard, 8 assignable knobs, 10
assignable buttons, and a MIDI out. This is not only a MIDI interface, but
IMHO it's worth the money. It is very small and USB powered, so is
especially useful on a laptop.
They also have other models:
http://www.evolution.co.uk/products/index.html
There is also the "midisport" line from m-audio, but if I recall correctly
they need a firmware upload to work, so I'd avoid them:
http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=usbmidiinterfaces
TIA!
dp
Best regards,
--
Emiliano Grilli
Linux user #209089
http://www.emillo.net
2:05 p.m.
Hi,
--- Emiliano Grilli <emiliano.grilli(a)poste.it> wrote:
__________________________________
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domenica, 03 ottobre 2004 alle 10:30:05, Dave
Phillips ha scritto:
I use a USB Midisport 8x8 that requires firmware but
it works great. My purchase would be based on price
and not whether firmware is required.
MIDI devices in my studio include:
*kurzweil k2000r
*Yamaha keyboard
*three digital mixers
*rackmount lexicon effects unit
*windows laptop with a MIDI sequencer
*mac with Digital Performer
I run qjackctl during all my work and its MIDI routing
interface is great when combined with the 8x8. I have
qjackctl setup to establish a specific set of MIDI
routes when it starts. This saves me from routing
everything manually. Definitely a must have feature.
ron
http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=usbmidiinterfaces
Greetings:
I'd like to gain some hands-on knowledge on
setting up a MIDI
interface from my laptop to external gear. eBay
lists a lot of USB MIDI
interfaces, but I'd like to know what users
on the
list recommend for an
inexpensive 1x1 or 2x2 box.
Hi Dave,
As far as I can tell the edirol/roland UM1 (around
$60) should work out of
the box. I also recently bought a evolution mk 425 c
(around $140) that
work flawlessy and offers a 2 octave keyboard, 8
assignable knobs, 10
assignable buttons, and a MIDI out. This is not only
a MIDI interface, but
IMHO it's worth the money. It is very small and USB
powered, so is
especially useful on a laptop.
They also have other models:
http://www.evolution.co.uk/products/index.html
There is also the "midisport" line from m-audio, but
if I recall correctly
they need a firmware upload to work, so I'd avoid
them: TIA!
dp
Best regards,
--
Emiliano Grilli
Linux user #209089
http://www.emillo.net
2:29 p.m.
domenica, 03 ottobre 2004 alle 08:47:38, R Parker ha scritto:
I have no direct experience of devices that require firmware, but I recall
a thread earlier this year on the agnula-user mailing list discussing the
opportunity of distributing the firmwares, and if those firmwares were
"proprietary software" or not...
As far as I can tell, agnula/demudi still doesn't distribute those
firmwares.
I don't know if there are other 8x8 usb MIDI interfaces that doesn't
require firmware upload to work, and if feel the need of having 8 MIDI in
and 8 MIDI out I would probably consider one of these, but since Dave is
asking for a 1x1 or 2x2 interface - and here there are models that work
without the firmware, I pointed out that if I have the choice, I would
choose the simplest one to setup, and that has no problem with the
distribution policies of debian (which are very strict, I know...)
There is also
the "midisport" line from m-audio, but
if I recall correctly
they need a firmware upload to work, so I'd avoid
them:
I use a USB Midisport 8x8 that requires firmware but
it works great. My purchase would be based on price
and not whether firmware is required. MIDI devices in my studio include:
*kurzweil k2000r
*Yamaha keyboard
*three digital mixers
*rackmount lexicon effects unit
*windows laptop with a MIDI sequencer
*mac with Digital Performer
I run qjackctl during all my work and its MIDI routing
interface is great when combined with the 8x8. I have
qjackctl setup to establish a specific set of MIDI
routes when it starts. This saves me from routing
everything manually. Definitely a must have feature.
Qjackctl is definately a "must have" ;)
Cheers, and please disregard my english :)
--
Emiliano Grilli
Linux user #209089
http://www.emillo.net
3:28 p.m.
On Sun, 2004-10-03 at 12:11, Emiliano Grilli wrote:
I don't know if there are other 8x8 usb MIDI
interfaces that doesn't
require firmware upload to work, and if feel the need of having 8 MIDI in
and 8 MIDI out I would probably consider one of these, but since Dave is
asking for a 1x1 or 2x2 interface - and here there are models that work
without the firmware, I pointed out that if I have the choice, I would
choose the simplest one to setup, and that has no problem with the
distribution policies of debian (which are very strict, I know...)
I have an Edirol UM-880, it's an 8x8 rackmount unit and doesn't require
any firmware. Just stock alsa USB MIDI stuff and it works like magic.
It also functions as MIDI patch bay, merger, and does other nifty
things. A little pricey, but I recommend it.
-DR-
5:21 p.m.
On Sun, Oct 03, 2004 at 05:01:58PM +0200, Emiliano Grilli wrote:
domenica, 03 ottobre 2004 alle 10:30:05, Dave Phillips
ha scritto:
I have a midisport 2x2. No firmware upload needed for that, and I'm quite
happy with it.
--
Martin
Greetings:
I'd like to gain some hands-on knowledge on setting up a MIDI
interface from my laptop to external gear. eBay lists a lot of USB MIDI
interfaces, but I'd like to know what users on the list recommend for an
inexpensive 1x1 or 2x2 box.
There is also the "midisport" line from m-audio, but if I recall correctly
they need a firmware upload to work, so I'd avoid them:
http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=usbmidiinterfaces 
5:47 p.m.
There is also the "midisport" line from m-audio, but if I recall correctly
they need a firmware upload to work, so I'd avoid them:
http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=usbmidiinterfaces
I have a midisport 2x2. No firmware upload needed for that, and I'm quite
happy with it.
--
Martin
6:13 p.m.
On Sun, 2004-10-03 at 22:29, Mark Knecht wrote:
Or if Windows has already loaded the firmware into the midisport. My
computer doesn't shut down the usb ports, so the firmware stays in the
device until I remove the usb plug or the mains plug from the computer.
If the irritating led labeled "USB" is pulsating, the firmware is in.
Sampo
I have a
midisport 2x2. No firmware upload needed for that, and I'm quite
happy with it.
--
Martin
Actually, I'm pretty sure that the MidiSports all require firmware,
but your report makes me think that it's all so well integrated in
Alsa and hopplug now that users really don't even notice that this is
takingplace any more.
6:44 p.m.
Actually,
I'm pretty sure that the MidiSports all require firmware,
but your report makes me think that it's all so well integrated in
Alsa and hopplug now that users really don't even notice that this is
takingplace any more.
Or if Windows has already loaded the firmware into the midisport. My
computer doesn't shut down the usb ports, so the firmware stays in the
device until I remove the usb plug or the mains plug from the computer.
If the irritating led labeled "USB" is pulsating, the firmware is in.
Sampo
4:18 p.m.
On Sun, 2004-10-03 at 07:30, Dave Phillips wrote:
Greetings:
I'd like to gain some hands-on knowledge on setting up a MIDI
interface from my laptop to external gear. eBay lists a lot of USB MIDI
interfaces, but I'd like to know what users on the list recommend for an
inexpensive 1x1 or 2x2 box.
I'm also looking for a serial port interface, probably one of the Key
Midiator boxes. There's one on eBay now, but I'm being outbid on it by
someone who obviously wants it more than I do. If anyone has one to sell
please let me know, and I'd also like to know of anyone's experience
with the Midiator.
Finally, is there such a beast as a PCMCIA MIDI interface card ? Audio
cards I know about, but I don't recall ever seeing such a creature as a
PCMCIA MIDI card.
TIA!
dp
Hi Dave,
I have a MidiSport 2x2. THe firmware loading thing has never caused
me too much concern as I use it on the Planet box and Fernando has made
that fairly easy. I had, for a long while, so problems with the thing
not working on a cold boot, and also problems caused by dual booting as
Windows would load firmware and Linux would find it as a new device.
Overall it's performace is basically OK, although I think the MIDI
timing under Linux was not quite as stable as the same hardware under
Windows. In both cases I use the box as a platform for soft synths.
Under Linux I've had more problems with notes being a bit out of time
and once in a while completely missed, although that has not happened in
a long time.
I think it's hard to beat the price of this little unit unless you
found a small USB 1-port of some type.
Take care,
Mark
4 Oct
4 Oct
9:43 a.m.
domenica, 03 ottobre 2004 alle 11:01:12, Mark Knecht ha scritto:
Hi Dave,
I have a MidiSport 2x2. THe firmware loading thing has never caused
me too much concern as I use it on the Planet box and Fernando has made
that fairly easy. I had, for a long while, so problems with the thing
not working on a cold boot, and also problems caused by dual booting as
Windows would load firmware and Linux would find it as a new device.
Overall it's performace is basically OK, although I think the MIDI
timing under Linux was not quite as stable as the same hardware under
Windows. In both cases I use the box as a platform for soft synths.
Under Linux I've had more problems with notes being a bit out of time
and once in a while completely missed, although that has not happened in
a long time.
I think it's hard to beat the price of this little unit unless you
found a small USB 1-port of some type.
I just checked on http://www.thomann.de (an european distributor), and they
have the midisport 2x2 listed at exaclty the same price as the roland UM-2
(another 2x2 interface):
http://www.netzmarkt.de/thomann/thoiw8_edirol_um2_midi_interface_prodinfo.h…
http://www.netzmarkt.de/thomann/thoiw8_midiman_midisport_2x2_prodinfo.html
They're both listed at 68 EUR (I've checked italian prices), so if I were
asked to recommend one for use with linux... I'll suggest as first
option the roland UM-2 - just because the firmware "problem".
See what Pedro Lopez-Cabanillas says on the rosegarden tutorial:
"Pedro Lopez-Cabanillas, a contributing Rosegarden developer, reports that
getting the Edriol UM-2 working is as simple as plugging in the USB cable
and loading the snd-usb-audio module, which should probably be loaded
automatically by hotplug."
and:
"Pedro and Chris both report that the mAudio MidiSport interfaces are more
difficult to get working. Pedro reports that "some of them require a
firmware program to be loaded into the device's RAM before you can use it."
So, they are at the same price, offer the same functionality, one is easy
to setup and does not involve the use of proprietary software, the other is
"more difficult to get working", why should I choose the m-audio?
Take care,
Mark
Best regards,
--
Emiliano Grilli
Linux user #209089
http://www.emillo.net
9:58 a.m.
On Monday 04 Oct 2004 12:25, Emiliano Grilli wrote:
So, they are at the same price, offer the same
functionality, one is easy
to setup and does not involve the use of proprietary software, the other is
"more difficult to get working", why should I choose the m-audio?
The MidiSport 2x2 doesn't involve the use of proprietary software, as there is
the GPL firmware (which Pedro mentioned) that works fine. Same goes for the
1x1, but not I think the 4x4 or 8x8.
Nitpicking aside, I agree with you -- I have a 2x2, and I've found the
firmware situation just awkward enough to recommend getting something else
instead. Twice now I've managed to take it with me on the road only to
remember, when miles from an internet connection, that I'd upgraded the
laptop OS more recently than I'd last used the MidiSport and that I no longer
have a copy of the firmware.
Chris
3 Oct
3 Oct
4:28 p.m.
New subject: [linux-audio-user] suggestions for USB/serial/PCMCIA MIDI interfaces ?
Dave Phillips wrote:
Greetings:
I'd like to gain some hands-on knowledge on setting up a MIDI
interface from my laptop to external gear. eBay lists a lot of USB
MIDI interfaces, but I'd like to know what users on the list recommend
for an inexpensive 1x1 or 2x2 box.
I'm also looking for a serial port interface, probably one of the Key
Midiator boxes. There's one on eBay now, but I'm being outbid on it by
someone who obviously wants it more than I do. If anyone has one to
sell please let me know, and I'd also like to know of anyone's
experience with the Midiator.
Finally, is there such a beast as a PCMCIA MIDI interface card ?
Audio cards I know about, but I don't recall ever seeing such a
creature as a PCMCIA MIDI card.
TIA!
dp
Greetingz Dave!
I use a Midiman Midisport 2x2 on Linux and Winblow's. It works well,
has never let me down and is easy to use. I bought it on Ebay for about
$25.00US a few years ago. Only problem wiht most of them I hear is
booting up Linux with USB midi device is a problem but not because of
the box. And, of course....I Linux WE NEVER have to reboot right?? :)
Chhers
4 Oct
4 Oct
5:06 a.m.
Dave Phillips wrote:
eBay lists a lot of USB MIDI interfaces, but I'd
like to know what
users on the list recommend for an inexpensive 1x1 or 2x2 box.
All USB MIDI interfaces from ESI/Edirol/Roland/Yamaha are supported,
those from M-Audio (except the 2x4) need the extra firmware loader,
those from Emagic/Steinberg/MOTU usually aren't supported.
The ESI RoMI/O (1x2) seems to be the most inexpensive one when bought
new; on Ebay YMMV.
Finally, is there such a beast as a PCMCIA MIDI
interface card ?
Probably only as part of a 'full' sound card, but those I've heard of
don't have MIDI ports either.
HTH
Clemens
8:16 a.m.
New subject: [linux-audio-user] suggestions for USB/serial/PCMCIA MIDI interfaces ?
Clemens Ladisch wrote:
All USB MIDI interfaces from ESI/Edirol/Roland/Yamaha
are supported,
those from M-Audio (except the 2x4) need the extra firmware loader,
those from Emagic/Steinberg/MOTU usually aren't supported.
Thanks to all who replied, especially to Clemens for this summary (which
should probably go into a FAQ somewhere). I'll avoid the firmware-based
pieces and will be sure to pass by the unsupported hardware.
The ESI RoMI/O (1x2) seems to be the most inexpensive
one when bought
new; on Ebay YMMV.
None listed in eBay yet, I'll keep looking.
Best regards,
dp
7403
days inactive
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linux-audio-user@lists.linuxaudio.org
14 comments
11 participants
participants (11)
-
Chris Cannam -
Clemens Ladisch -
Dave Phillips -
Dave Robillard -
Emiliano Grilli -
Mark Knecht -
Mark Knecht -
Martin Habets -
R Parker -
Russell Hanaghan -
Sampo Savolainen