USB MIDI interfaces?

[Things]

Hey guys, a while back I bought a cheap USB MIDI interface for my laser harp. Theres millions of them on eBay, you know the ones.

Anyway, this thing seems to crash every opportunity it gets. Sometimes it even freezes up all my other USB devices when I unplug it.

My question is, do USB MIDI devices vary in "quality", seeing as all they're doing is parsing serial data? As in, would a better quality USB MIDI device improve anything?

Anyone got any recommendations? Don't want something stupid expensive, just something more than this $3 POS.

Dan

[taggalucci]

Sounds like its more a case of the driver rather than the device. Do they have an updated driver or is there an alternative driver from a more reputable manufacturer for the same chipset?

[dnar]

Dan, I use a Focusrite PRO24 Firewire audio interface for my audio output, this includes MIDI in/out ports.



I have also ordered the following ($85): http://www.rolandus.com/products/pro...2&ParentId=436

Although the single channel version if half that. http://www.rolandus.com/products/pro...1&ParentId=436

I didn't like the MIDI flyleads of the single channel unit, so I bought the 2 channel unit.

[kitatit]

Hi Dan, Two good other brands which are well respected are MOTU and Midiman. They have both been making quality interfaces and drivers for a long time.

good luck
Kit

[taggalucci]

Midiman

Nice call Kit IIRC now called M-Audio.

[kitatit]

Nice call Kit IIRC now called M-Audio.

Ah! Yes you're right mate.

[dnar]

Hi Dan, Two good other brands which are well respected are MOTU and Midiman. They have both been making quality interfaces and drivers for a long time.

good luck
Kit

I have no idea about either, but I do know the Roland (Calkwalk) MIDI interfaces work sans drivers.

[kitatit]

I have no idea about either, but I do know the Roland (Calkwalk) MIDI interfaces work sans drivers.

Hi Wayne before Midiman became M Audio they specialized in making midi interfaces.
http://www.soundseasy.com.au/v3/prod...?productID=925
This little one I've linked to is exactly the same format as one I bought in around 2000 with cosmetic face lift and USB2 support.

The Roland one you suggested would be good too. Not bad for the early 80s.

Even with my Roland Juno-106 using SysEx midi control it's one of the easiest synths to control via midi.

MOTU (Mark Of The Unicorn) who make Digital Performer make bullet proof 8 in 8 out interfaces with all sorts of sync options. Over kill for almost all applications these days, now that a lot of synths and other outboard gear has gone software.
They do sell much smaller units comparable to the little M Audio one above.

[Things]

Thanks for the heads up on products/companies. Will look into buying one of these

Dan

[nuphotonix]

I use the M-audio uno and well it sucks.. the new windows 7 update as of three weeks ago re3nders it useless.... poorly supported and no new updates for it...