BlahBlahCafe - Jean-Michel Jarre forum

Because I use too much different midi-setups, it can be a bit annoying live. So I'm looking for a Midi patchbay. But which one to choose?

Which midi setups are you using ?

Things like for example if I connect my sequencer or midi keyboard to my OB12, or if I connect my ob12 to a drumcomputer or a sequencer etc... I have to change too much cables now if I want to play another track.

I guess an A-880 could help you a lot.

I almost bought one and eventually bought a 8x8 midi/usb interface (Emagic AMT8). It was a mistake cause it wasn't what I was looking for. But it was the best mistake of my life. I can control up to 8 midi outs from Cakewalk (or Cubase or whatever).

You can program some different routings to use it when the computer is turned off, but I never did that.

jeremy wrote:I guess an A-880 could help you a lot.

Which brand?

And can you use it without computer?

A-880 is a Roland MIDI patch.

With 8 IN + 8 out, with a merge function, I think your problems should be solve.

And you can use it without computer of course...

Great! I think I'll take this one!

Oh, I spotted this one too, but a friend of mine told me it was quite the mess while wanting to rout some ins and outs, so I left it in a corner of my mind, maybe one day I'll need one, but for the moment, I don't need one, I prefer to plug and unplug my cables all the time :mryellow:

Nico_Noyau wrote:Oh, I spotted this one too, but a friend of mine told me it was quite the mess while wanting to rout some ins and outs, so I left it in a corner of my mind, maybe one day I'll need one, but for the moment, I don't need one, I prefer to plug and unplug my cables all the time :mryellow:

For playing in studio it isn't a problem, but for playing live it's a hell.

You also got the Midiman (M-Audio 8X8)

I have two of these,a lot of the current Midi patchbays are designed to run from a computer,and don't function as a standalone patchbay for Hardware applications,so look out for that if your buying one,unless your running it direct from a PC all the time,but if you wish to use it in a hardware setup,then make sure it works as a standalone patchbay too
Most Midi patchbays have program change facilities which can store your Midi setup configurations so you can change the setup routing by altering the patchbay memory,which is really convenient for different configurations of cable routings without having to unplug cables all the time

the M-Audio 8x8 can be prgrammed via the PC and then send those rotuings into the stored program memories for hardware setups

For larger setups there an absolute godsend,I Wouldn't work without them now


I think the Roland A880 works as a stand alone router too,there is also an Akai ME80 or some number similar,but this model is pretty ancient now,theres also the Edirol(Roland) UM880,This is similar to the Midiman 8x8,but is rather more expensive theres also a 550 which is the same but less ins and outs





Heres the model I use(got 2 of them)

I indeed want to use it stand alone, because I have no descent computer at all in my studio. And another point is indeed that it has to be able to store the set ups. In every case very thank for your information!

A880 sucks. That's what I've been told.

I owned for several years a good old Roland A-880 and I sold it for 80 euros in trade for a Roland MKS-30.

I have to say it's a very straightforward patchbay; if you don't need a computer, just a patchbay to avoid long chains in MIDI THRU, well it does its job.

It is a breeze to assign input and outputs from the front panel buttons, just remember you can only "MIX" two inputs at time and no more. It means that if you like to play one master keyboard and a sequencer you cannot input and merge other MIDI datas.

I sold it for two reasons:
- the first is that I used it hooked to my laptop, with a MOTU Fastlane, and I had serious troubles with System Exlusive messages to my gears. (Sound Diver supports A-880 and allows the user to reproduce the physical setup, altough it can be quite difficoult to make it work as it should in this configuration)
- the second is that it wasn't very fast in MIDI response and, considering it was after a MIDI interface, the MIDI "latency" was a bit annoying.

If you use a more modern 8x8 MIDI interface working standalone too you have some advantages like:

- one in/out more (with the A-880 one input/output was used by the computer)
- lower latency
- computer assignament for quick and visual setup

I have recently purchased a second hand MOTU MidiTimepiece AV, which also has a LCD display. I paid 180 $ plus shipping from US.
MOTU interfaces have very good drivers, are reliable and come with a 110-220 V switch.
(It is not powered by USB though).
It works standalone too and it's programmable from the front panel.
Highly reccomended



P.

OK, that latency is a good point to avoid the 880, because my OB12 already has an enormous latency, and with a midi latency more, it will be horrible. So I have to look to another patchbay. Thanks for the review!

Jarp2600 wrote:OK, that latency is a good point to avoid the 880, because my OB12 already has an enormous latency, and with a midi latency more, it will be horrible. So I have to look to another patchbay. Thanks for the review!

You wont suffer latency with a Midi patchbay unless your using it with a PC..

Standalone mode running from a PSU,you shouldn't notice any latency even with large Midi setups,the only latency you'd notice if you chained many devices off the same Midi port in a daisy chain system,I've never had any timimg issues whatsoever,even with sending Large system exclusive messages,your more likely to suffer latency when running in USB mode,which the Latency will be on the side of the Computer,USB streaming is not as fast for midi as a standard Midi>Midi connection


Your OB suffers from latency????In what respects???incoming Midi,or playing it and sending midi data

the only latency you should have is the time it takes from the actual strike of a key on your synth to the ciruit,which in human senses will almost be undetectable!