Wiggum Posted May 6, 2001 Share Posted May 6, 2001 Hey all, I'm moving my DAW CPU to the closet to cut down noise, and while I have a strategy for most of the my cable needs (Network Technologies PC cables, balanced audio lines, etc), I don't know how to address the MIDI extension. I run a Midiman Biport 2x4 serial interface, and the synths will be approximately 50 feet from the CPU. So, should I consider an extension for the serial cable, or should I consider 50' long MIDI cables? I haven't seen anything in this length. Can I wire my own? I just don't want to introduce any significant MIDI latency into my system. So which is the better choice for extensions? MIDI or serial? Any thoughts are appreciated. Wiggum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan Winer Posted May 7, 2001 Share Posted May 7, 2001 Wiggum, > I run a Midiman Biport 2x4 serial interface, and the synths will be approximately 50 feet from the CPU. ... I just don't want to introduce any significant MIDI latency into my system. < Latency isn't the issue with long cable runs. After all, electricity travels at the speed of light, so there's no perceiveable difference between one foot and one mile. But MIDI outputs can drive only so much cable capacitance, and 20 feet is about the maximum as far as I know. If there's such a thing as a "MIDI repeater," that's what you'd need. Also, there may special low-capacitance MIDI cables available that can go to 50 feet, but I'm not aware of any. --Ethan --Ethan The acoustic treatment experts Ethan's Audio Expert Book Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderton Posted May 7, 2001 Share Posted May 7, 2001 The MIDI specification says cables should be limited to 50 feet (15 meters). I know of several musicians who have run MIDI lines this long without problems, but Ethan's right, use low capacitance cable (measured in pF/foot). One company at a trade show used twin lead wire to run MIDI lines about 300 ft! I wouldn't recommend it, but it does show that the 50 foot spec is somewhat conservative. It's also true that a cable will not introduce latency. Craig Anderton Educational site: http://www.craiganderton.org Music: http://www.youtube.com/thecraiganderton Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/craig_anderton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Fehl Posted May 7, 2001 Share Posted May 7, 2001 Use 110 ohm digital audio cable. Cap is between 11 pF/ft and 13.5 pF/ft, which is 2 to 3 times lower than the wire used on cheapo midi cables. I have run midi 40 feet with no problem, and I know guys that have used the same going 60 feet. I would recomend getting the flexible type in a 24 awg construction with a braid shield to ensure the lowest amount of attenution and greatest flex-life. Take care, Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggum Posted May 8, 2001 Author Share Posted May 8, 2001 Thanks guys... It's interesting that no one recommended the serial cable route. I could get a Network Tech extender for this cable, and simply keep my MIDI interface near my gear, but it sounds like low capacitance MIDI cables will do the same thing. I'll call some suppliers and see what I can come up with. Thanks again, Wiggum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.