USB Midi Interfaces Experiences

#1

I'm looking to improve connectivty with my outboard gear, so I'm planning an update on my setup that would include a usb midi interface connected to the usb host port of an axoloti.

I found this one:https://www.gear4music.de/de/Recording-and-Computer/SubZero-4x4-MIDI-Interface/2KOA?utm_medium=display&network=criteo&retargeting_or_placement=retargeting&utm_source=criteo&utm_campaign=lowerfunnel

I find the feature set very appealing because it can also be used standalone as both splitter and merger. Does anybody have experiences with it?

Any other recomendations?

#2

I have no experience with that one Simon it does seem to suggest that it is class compliant, Chaocrator said he is having success on 1.0.12 with a MIDIface 8x8, they have a 2x2 and a 4x4 available, you're in Berlin aren't you maybe from here https://www.thomann.de/gb/miditech_midiface_2x2.htm look to be around the same price, maybe he can chime in with his experiences @chaocrator

#3

Ok thanks! There is some bad reviews so I'm wondering, how is you experience with the miditech? how tight is clock, experience any missing note offs etc? I mean all of these flaws could be just personal computers sucking at midi...

I'm looking for 4x4. The one I posted has the advantage that it can also be uses as standalone merger/splitter.

#4

well, MIDIface 8x8 definitely does not work standalone. Axoloti manages all routing on it.

otherwise the timing is rock solid. it's built on Ploytec GM5 chip, and it definitely lives up to its reputation — i did not expect any observable problems so far (i have it almost 2 years).

but since it relies on USB host it's plugged in, i think that bad reviews might be due to host's latencies or glitches, especially when using with DAWs that often have latency fluctuations depending on CPU load.

#5

I'd steer clear of that subzero one - there's a lot of companies putting out that one under different branding. I had one (under a different name) and couldn't get it to work anywhere near reliably, for thru or interfacing...

I now have a midiface 4x4, never had any problems with it, clock seems fine, etc.

#6

Ok guys thanks, that's exactly the kind of feedback I needed here :pray:

Yes that's what I thought too. As far as I know Midi has very low priority in both Mac and Windows, so that's what makes midi clock from pc buggy and jittery.

So this one it is then. Thanks!

#7

that's why many vendors relied on their proprietary drivers that addressed those problems (MOTU etc), and many still do in parallel with class compliant mode (Zoom, Roland, etc).

p.s. Linux behaves much better, but supports much fewer pro audio hardware.

#8

I use the Teenage Engineering OPLAB, but unfortunately it has been discontinued, you could try to search one at second hand market
https://teenage.engineering/guides/oplab
https://teenage.engineering/products/oplab

in addiction, i backed this project from Blokas, the Midihub.
"Using the dedicated Editor you can set-up Midihub to process MIDI messages in tons of useful and creative ways and once your presets are stored you can use Midihub completely stand-alone in your computer-less setup."