MIDI Interfaces

toneburst · 2022-07-04T11:29:17.671Z

I have had success with this cheap interface cable and my Fates/Norns Shield.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LEKATO-Professional-Keyboard-Converter-Interface/dp/B08J466SZD/ref=sr_1_34_sspa?crid=I13XB11A87LR&keywords=USB+MIDI+interface+cable&qid=1656933772&sprefix=usb+midi+interface+cable%2Caps%2C46&sr=8-34-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyWUdOQVc3OFlRMEJPJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTIxMTI3M0FMUEJTVk81TzhOUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTUzOTgwMVdSUDVXOVJUWjNMNiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX210ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

For some reason, the link preview points to the USB-C version, whereas the link I actually pasted was for the correct “A” version. I’m sure you can find the correct version on your local Amazon site, anyway.

okyeron:

One for connecting to anything:

20220419_00021080×720 90.5 KB

And another for QTPy / XIAO format microcontrollers to make a very small USB to MIDI interface.

Incidentally, @okyeron, do you happen to have the part-number for the jack sockets used? I want to check of there’s a threaded version I can replace them with.

JES · 2022-11-05T13:26:51.857Z

I’m reanimating this thread. I have an iConnectivity MioXM that its app (Auracle) won’t recognize. It shows up in Live so it’s there. But it’s behaving weirdly so I can’t use it without seeing what’s going on, which I can’t do from the front of the box.

I had people over last night and wanted to give them a chance to play around with my synths, and actually had to unplug stuff and directly connect it. I wrote to support but of course they get weekends off, as they should.

This is reminding me why I hate having hardware that requires an app to run. So two questions:

What is the limit on “MIDI thru” before there will be significant latency (eg, can I just ditch the interface?). I’ve got 3 hardware synths, and an Eventide H9 that I figure I’d put at the end of the chain for sync. I control from a Linnstrument and/or a Vector sequencer.
What MIDI interfaces/hubs can be operated without dependence on an app?

TIA.

wakyct · 2022-11-05T17:18:46.475Z

I’ve heard two hops is a reasonable limit. An app-less midi hub is on my wishlist, not sure if I’ll go with something old (with no USB typically) like an Akai ME80p or a newer one like what Conductive Labs have.

fourhoarder · 2022-12-02T17:03:18.753Z

needed an Ansible interface so I got this same cable (usb version) off of aliexpress, cheaper than amazon by a little bit, works great, was here in a week, and they seem to be unavailable from amazon now.

n9n9n9 · 2023-03-24T18:25:03.005Z

I think this is a simple question.

Can I do TRS MIDI point to point? I am hooking my Torso T1’s TRS MIDI out to my new Taiga’s TRS MIDI in and things simply do not seem right. If this was standard MIDI this would not be an issue: plugin a DIN cable in between a MIDI out and a MIDI in and you’re good to go. Different rules for TRS?

cbm · 2023-03-24T18:32:18.289Z

TRS MIDI comes in two flavors, A & B. Perhaps Taiga and Torso don’t use the same type?

robbie · 2023-03-25T18:24:45.025Z

Yes, the T-1 uses Type A and Pittsburgh use Type B for their synths. If they both used the same type (ie. A-to-A or B-to-B) a regular TRS cable would work, but to go between types you’ll need an A-to-B cable or dongle or adaptor.

notester · 2023-03-25T18:33:02.312Z

thankfully this is one of the easiest diy jobs around. probably have what’s needed in a junk drawer of wires.

robbie · 2023-03-25T19:27:34.961Z

Absolutely. To make a Type A to Type B cable swap the Tip & Ring on one end; if you start with a non-moulded TRS cable it’s very simple.

Tip ⟷ Ring
Ring ⟷ Tip
Sleeve ⟷ Sleeve

(The cable is a crossover, so it doesn’t matter which end goes to the Type A and which goes to the Type B.)

n9n9n9 · 2023-03-25T19:50:53.159Z

20 characters of gratitude.

Unicorn · 2023-10-11T16:40:20.324Z

Before I order a MRCC, does the work ok with the Norns?

thanks!

wakyct · 2023-10-11T21:11:29.668Z

I’ve never heard that it doesn’t, they’re both midi class compliant. I almost bought the 880 version but for the moment am getting by with Passerby and an extra usb hub. Having seen the MRCCs in person they look very nice and useful if they fit your setup.

charbot · 2023-10-13T10:17:56.175Z

Not to split hairs, but since TRS midi has been standardized by the MIDI association, i would say that the two flavors are: Correct (type A) and WRONG (everything else.) https://www.midi.org/midi-articles/trs-specification-adopted-and-released
I really dont get why manufacturers still continue with this.

Chaos215bar2 · 2023-10-13T16:48:56.400Z

I think Poly Effects wins the prize for MIDI TRS implementations. Quoting from the Beebo/Digit manual:

Type A input, 3.5 MM TRS. This is the MIDI standard pin out. Type B output. It’s stupid.

cbm · 2023-10-14T08:42:43.668Z

While I agree with this in principal, the MMA was so late to the game in ratifying a proper pinout that they sort of helped to create this mess. Different manufacturers just started putting out stuff with TRS MIDI, and given that there was no standard, different companies ended up using different pinouts.

This put the MMA in a standardization bind, whichever side they came down on, they were going to piss some companies off. The MMA really doesn’t like to piss off their members. This is how we ended up with multiple standards for which MIDI note is middle C.

charbot · 2023-10-14T09:15:34.228Z

I get it for older stuff but type A has been the “standard” for about 10 years. To me, continuing to implement anything else for newly produced gear is either out of stubbornness or spite. Dont mind me tho’, Im an old grump who still gets enraged at center negative power supplies. Curse you Roland!

okyeron · 2023-10-14T15:16:23.220Z

However… the “specification” wasn’t published until August 2018

The cool kids make devices that work with either type A or B

It solves the issue of Type-A or Type-B TRS MIDI Inputs as it works with either polarity.

GitHub

GitHub - kay-lpzw/LPZW_TRS_MIDI

Contribute to kay-lpzw/LPZW_TRS_MIDI development by creating an account on GitHub.

cbm · 2023-10-14T18:36:15.367Z

charbot:

I get it for older stuff but type A has been the “standard” for about 10 years. To me, continuing to implement anything else for newly produced gear is either out of stubbornness or spite. Dont mind me tho’, Im an old grump who still gets enraged at center negative power supplies. Curse you Roland!

It was approved in 2018, so five years. By the time the MMA got around to doing anything about it, there was a lot of equipment out there, of both flavors.

charbot · 2023-10-14T18:40:35.400Z

really? only 5 years? …gosh, it sure feels likes its been 10 (or more.) oof!

Tom1 · 2024-05-30T11:53:14.910Z

Hi all, can anyone recommend a small 1 in 1 out midi interface that terminates in trs either male or female jacks? I think all my synths now have trs and going from din to din to trs seems a bit unnecessary these days! I will likely just get a usb midi cable to din and cut the din plugs off and replace with trs, however most seem to be like 2m long which is way too long for my requirements with Norns! Thanks