Experience with USB midi interfaces ?

[midiman_midiman]

I want to buy a USB midi interface, has anyone on this board experience with suchs devices  :?:

I want to hook it up to a MT-32 and SC-55 devices.

I know the following USB midi interfaces;
Edirol UM 2, RoMI/O ESI.

[Alistair]

Is it USB at one end, and MIDI at the other? That'd be cool.

- Alistair

[midiman_midiman]

Is it USB at one end, and MIDI at the other? That'd be cool.

- Alistair

Look here http://www.tracertek.com/romio.htm
or here http://www.edirol.com/products/info/um1x.html
for info...

[Zemus]

From what I understand, these cables come with software that emulates a MIDI port and sends the MIDI data to the USB instead. Can't say I've tried one though.

[Tom]

My SC-8820 has a built-in USB MIDI port.  It can operate without any MIDI cables connected; this enables it to utilize 32 MIDI channels -- 16 each divided in two parts.  It also has a Serial MIDI port and standard PC MIDI port.  The USB port is controlled by installing Roland USB drivers.  The USB port also acts as a power supply for the unit...which I believe, the 8850 also supports.  Works perfectly.  I imagine, the same way as the Edirol USB MIDI interfaces work.

[Alistair]

I've used the ED USB before. Lovely..

How do you get the second lot of 16 channels to work, Tom? Can you access 32 at one time?

- Alistair

[midiman_midiman]

From what I understand, these cables come with software that emulates a MIDI port and sends the MIDI data to the USB instead. Can't say I've tried one though.

What i understand it's a piece of hardware. But also uses also software.

I want to use it primalary for the MT-32, but comes the sysx data whats is transmitted good to the MT-32  :?:

In my country the RoMI/O is € 45,- that a lot cheaper then the edirol of the same version UM2 is € 99,- that twice as much.

Therfore my guestion about such devices.

P.S. has this anything to do with the SMART modus of the original MPU401  :?: , i mean can i use SMART mode on such devices to control multiple synths, can i use all the 32 midi channels  :?:

Link to UM2; http://www.edirol.com/products/info/um2.html

[Kaminari]

Have a look at M-Audio's Midisport Uno.

[Tom]

How do you get the second lot of 16 channels to work, Tom? Can you access 32 at one time?

Yes, you can use all 32 at once.  Your SC-8850 CD probably contains a couple of demo songs designed for both parts (A and B, 16 channels on each.)  When you install the USB or Serial drivers, you'll see the SC is divided into two drivers -- for Part A and B.  It's the same way with the Serial Port drivers -- two parts.  (Using only the MIDI port gives you only the one part, 16 channels.)  After you install the drivers, you simply select the Output Port for each channel.  I'm currently using only the MIDI port, since that seems to be enough for almost everything I've ever done...escpecially when adding the SW60XG, MT-32, and SC-55 already on other ports.

[Alistair]

How do you get the second lot of 16 channels to work, Tom? Can you access 32 at one time?

Yes, you can use all 32 at once.  Your SC-8850 CD probably contains a couple of demo songs designed for both parts (A and B, 16 channels on each.)  When you install the USB or Serial drivers, you'll see the SC is divided into two drivers -- for Part A and B.  It's the same way with the Serial Port drivers -- two parts.  (Using only the MIDI port gives you only the one part, 16 channels.)  After you install the drivers, you simply select the Output Port for each channel.  I'm currently using only the MIDI port, since that seems to be enough for almost everything I've ever done...escpecially when adding the SW60XG, MT-32, and SC-55 already on other ports.

Ah. Well, I already was doing this. I hoped there was another way.. but it's all good.

The 8850 actually has 64 channels, and 4 parts.. not that I'd ever need them.

I prefer to use USB as it means I don't need to mute channels via SysEx.. I can use the MT-32 on 2-10, SC-55 on 1 and 11-16, and 8850 on 17-64.

Thanks, Tom.

- Alistair

[Tom]

So, the 8850's USB/Serial drivers split into four ports...Cool.  Since MIDI only has 16 channels, I guess that would be the only way it can be done.  But the 8850 also has double the polyphony than the 8820, so it should be able to handle more simultaneous sounds.

[midiman_midiman]

OK i have bought the RoMI/O USB adapter and tried it last evening with the MT-32 and its works perfectly, thanks everyone to comment on such devices.