Swapping MIDI cables?

[Galahad]

Is it true that whenever changing MIDI DIN cables and such you should always have everything (Roland sound module, PC, speakers, etc.) powered off?  This is what I've always been doing from when I first acquired my sound modules, since I remember reading online somewhere that MIDI was not designed to be hot-swappable like USB.  However, thought it couldn't hurt to check if this is in fact actually true or not.

[Alistair]

That sounds pretty silly to me. The only time I'd suggest it was a bad idea would be while they're actually transmitting MIDI data.

I think it's a good idea to have certain things switched off while you're changing digital audio cables, but as for MIDI cables- sounds very silly to me. Of course, I can't say that for 100% certainty, but it seems common sense to me that there's no relationship between changing a cable and the MIDI not sending.

I guess I should ask what you mean by 'changing' cables.

- Alistair

[Galahad]

I guess I should ask what you mean by 'changing' cables.

Thanks for the interesting input Alistair -- by changing cables, I mean either removing or re-inserting the DIN or mini-DIN cables into the sound module, breakout box, and/or MPU-401 interface card.

[Alistair]

Heh. Sorry if I sounded a bit harsh, but it does sound very odd logic to me. I mean, what do you think's going to happen?

I've never used a breakoutbox or MPU-401, so I can't speak for that equipment. But I have switched cabels between my MT-32 and SC-55 while they've been on, and nothing untoward happened, nor did I expect it to.

- Alistair

[Tom]

I've connected, disconnected MIDI cables from a MPU box, a keyboard, or a sound module any number of times WHILE they were in use without any problems, except for the loss of data that was was being sent during the re-connect process.  Never any other adverse effects.

[Galahad]

No prob, thanks Alistair    I guess I was worried that by swapping the cables while powered on that I might risk frying the internal components of the sound module or breakout box, sort of similar to the way if you plugged in expensive electrical appliances without using a surge protector.  Glad to have a chance to correct my previous assumption...just figured better safe than sorry until I could obtain more info.

Heh. Sorry if I sounded a bit harsh, but it does sound very odd logic to me. I mean, what do you think's going to happen?

I've never used a breakoutbox or MPU-401, so I can't speak for that equipment. But I have switched cabels between my MT-32 and SC-55 while they've been on, and nothing untoward happened, nor did I expect it to.

- Alistair

[Galahad]

Thanks for sharing the valuable info Tom.  Very glad to hear, since that means swapping between my external sound module and SCB-55 will be OK and will no longer mean power-cycllng the PC   

I've connected, disconnected MIDI cables from a MPU box, a keyboard, or a sound module any number of times WHILE they were in use without any problems, except for the loss of data that was was being sent during the re-connect process.  Never any other adverse effects.