MIDI chains. How many devices before you need a distribution box?

[RABid]

I like to play around with DAWless systems. On basic setups like Digitakt/Digitone/Syntakt I just chain devices through the MIDI through port. But sometimes, a lot of times, it grows. Keystep Pro to sequence my modular. Akai MPC to sequence my Jupiter Xm, throw in a couple Roland MC's and even go old school with an Emu XL-7. At what point do I need to stop chaining and use a distribution box? I don't know that I have ever seen specs on MIDI lag, or if that lag is consistent across brands and devices. 

 

Secondary question, are MIDI jacks made to withstand a lot of plugging and unplugging?

[The Real MC]

2 hours ago, RABid said:

I like to play around with DAWless systems. On basic setups like Digitakt/Digitone/Syntakt I just chain devices through the MIDI through port. But sometimes, a lot of times, it grows. Keystep Pro to sequence my modular. Akai MPC to sequence my Jupiter Xm, throw in a couple Roland MC's and even go old school with an Emu XL-7. At what point do I need to stop chaining and use a distribution box? I don't know that I have ever seen specs on MIDI lag, or if that lag is consistent across brands and devices. 

 

Secondary question, are MIDI jacks made to withstand a lot of plugging and unplugging?

 I found the limit is anywhere from 2 to 3 chained devices before the messages get corrupt.

 

The correct term is skewing not lag.

 

I have been using MIDI since 1988 and never had a MIDI DIN jack fail.  Even in my stage rigs.

[RABid]

When computers and workstations got really powerful the need for MIDI declined and some of the best MIDI products disappeared, like the Motu MIDI Timepiece AV. Now the boom of DAWless gadgets has flooded the industry with small, cheap devices that can connect by MIDI. I have more active MIDI devices than ever but the production of MIDI devices like the Timepiece AV has not recovered. Every beatbox, Volca and Botique has MIDI, and it seems like every DAWless musician has at least 6 devices to connect, but it is hard to find devices that will connect more than 4. I will say the iConnectivity mioXL USB MIDI Interface looks interesting but I had never heard of that brand until tonight.

[Nowarezman]

First I'd say use USB when available to send/receive MIDI.  And wireless last to send/receive MIDI.

 

So in between, I have a nice M-Audio Midisport 4X4 to route the old MIDI cables when needed.  

 

There's also a MIDI 5-pin in/out just straight from my Universal Audio Apollo Twin X.  And my Novation 25SL keyboard controller can also provide another I/O set of 5-pins for MIDI.  The MIDI cables go in/out to a rack analog synth from the keyboard, then the keyboard sends the keyboard MIDI plus the rack analog MIDI to/from the computer.  No lag or drag or latency or anything.

 

So I can have 6 devices directly connected with no chaining using what's just sitting around.   

 

I just couldn't bring myself to spend very much on something as old-timey basic as MIDI hardware I/O.  It would feel like spending money to upgrade a fax machine.  If one of my MIDI routing options were to die, I'd look in the used market for something to replace it, cheap.  

 

As for MIDI cables, I've had a whole lot of them go bad.  Guess I've been buying too cheap - or they are just really old and probably were not treated with enough respect.  Hey, like me!  

 

nat

 

[NewImprov]

I don't know about MIDI-Thru lag accumulation (isn't that a Terry Riley concept?), but, putting a pair of iConnectivity MIO units in my studio has really made DAW-less jamming easier and more fun, and made it easier to record MIDI to my DAW when I want to. Like RABid, I use a Keystation Keystep Pro, and a regular Keystep, as controllers  and sequencers for a bunch of modular and semi-modular gear, and MIDI synths and modules. I have the 2 MIO's (an XL and an XM) patched into 2 separate "islands" of keyboards/synths, using a combination of USB and DIN MIDI, and they are interconnected using RTP over ethernet. Using the Auricle software, it's a breeze to create routings that allow any midi devices to talk to any other, even devices connected to different interfaces. Plus I have 2 computers, my laptop and the studio DAW, also connected, so if I get something cool happening, I can easily route MIDI into either of them. It took a while, and a bit of headscratching to get it working, but once I did, it's really made the process simpler, and made for less manual re-patching of MIDI cables. It does require running Auricle on one computer to set up the routings, but doesn't require a DAW. And, the MIO XL can save a number of routings that can be recalled from the front panel, so you don't need to have the computer connected.

[Bill Heins]

I use a MOTU Midi Express XT for midi connections. The XT version works with or without a computer...8 in 8 out.

 

Bill

[Dave Bryce]

I have two MOTU MIDI Express 128s in my studio.   Pretty much any MIDI device not getting USB has its own feed.

 

dB

[Kimmie]

On 10/5/2022 at 5:27 AM, RABid said:

I like to play around with DAWless systems. On basic setups like Digitakt/Digitone/Syntakt I just chain devices through the MIDI through port. But sometimes, a lot of times, it grows. Keystep Pro to sequence my modular. Akai MPC to sequence my Jupiter Xm, throw in a couple Roland MC's and even go old school with an Emu XL-7. At what point do I need to stop chaining and use a distribution box? I don't know that I have ever seen specs on MIDI lag, or if that lag is consistent across brands and devices. pou

 

Secondary question, are MIDI jacks made to withstand a lot of plugging and unplugging?

For midi input and output, I rely on a MOTU Midi Express XT.

[Anderton]

Sounds like a MIDI Solutions T8 would do what you want - 1 in, 8 outs, no degradation at the outputs so you could run chains from those. It costs $219 but it's no piece of cheap plastic crap. However, you could probably get through with the Quadra 1 in 4 out, which is only $69.

 

MIDI Solutions has been around forever. All their products are built really well, and work. I've had their Velocity Controller and Quadra Merge for years, and they do exactly what they're supposed to do.