Multiple MIDI DIN to audio i/o

[EscapeRocks]

Hey all,

 

quick question to tell me I'm wrong or right

 

If I have two or more controllers that I want to hook to the MIDI DIN in on my audio i/o (it has only one IN), and the board don't have MIDI Thru, or MIDI thru routing capabilities:

 

Would I use something like the MOTU Micro Lite that has 5 MIDI inputs and 5 MIDI outputs, that I can configure however.

 

Am I on the right track?

Thanks

[AnotherScott]

If you simply want to connect 2 controllers' MIDI OUT jacks to some other device's MIDI IN, any MIDI merge box will do, but sure, you can get fancier pieces with more ins and outs. I'm not familiar with that MOTU piece, but, probably... my only concern is that it is, itself, an interface... it might only be designed to connect into your computer, and not into the MIDI In on your existing interface. My understanding (could be wrong) is that that's not an issue if you're using a Mac, which allows you to use multiple interfaces simultaneously, but could be a problem if you're using Windows which doesn't want to see more than one interface at a time.

 

A simple merge box would be one like this: http://midisolutions.com/prodmrg.htm (they have 2-in and 4-in versions)

[EscapeRocks]

Thank Scott.

 

I actually have a MidiSolutions Merge

 

I just didn't know how the Merge stands up to multiple message at once if I'm playing both boards at the same time.

 

Guess I can try it

[Delaware Dave]

The above assumes that one of the keyboards can supply the midi merge box with power; if it cannot then you also need to source the midi solutions power adapter which serves to power the midisolutions box mentioned above.

 

Here's the power adapter:

 

http://midisolutions.com/prodpwr.htm

 

Halfway down the page of the below link are keyboards reported not to power the merge box. It is not all inclusive and also not totally accurate. The kurzweil pc3 is on the list of not being able to power the box but mine actually does power it:

 

http://midisolutions.com/faqs.htm#LED

[EscapeRocks]

Thanks Dave

[AnotherScott]

The kurzweil pc3 is on the list of not being able to power the box but mine actually does power it:

The PC3 is on the list of the ones that do not power the earlier versions of the MIDI Solutions boxes that required 5v, but it is not on the list of ones that don't power the current (multi-voltage) units (the shorter list that is a bit higher on that same page).

[Markyboard]

My understanding (could be wrong) is that that's not an issue if you're using a Mac, which allows you to use multiple interfaces simultaneously, but could be a problem if you're using Windows which doesn't want to see more than one interface at a time.

 

With Windows you"re limited to one audio interface for a given program. Multiple midi interfaces is generally not an issue.