4 ms·

Now, I agree that MIDI 1.0 was designed for keyboard based synthesizers, and I know that complaints about MIDI latency have been around about as long as MIDI ha

Now, I agree that MIDI 1.0 was designed for keyboard based synthesizers, and I know that complaints about MIDI latency have been around about as long as MIDI has been. So, yes, it has always been imperfect. However, the nice thing about MIDI is that it allows me to hook up my 2020/2021 synthesizer (a Behringer 2600) to a 1987 sequencer (a Yamaha QX5), a 2015 synth (a Roland JD-Xi), or pretty much any piece of pro synth gear made since 1983. Now, with MIDI-over-USB or what not, we lose something which makes MIDI very nice: We can connect a hardware keyboard to a dedicates sound module without having to have a computer involved. While there are USB host synths which one can connect a MIDI-only-over-USB keyboard to directly, they are few and far between (my JD-Xi has USB, as does my 2600 and Arturia Keylab controller, but all three can only be hooked up to a computer with USB) Until MIDI 2.0 has a way to allow synths to be connected to each other without involving computers, and there is a standard way to do that (I think USB-C would probably be best for this), DIN MIDI 1.0 will be a part of pro and bedroom recording studios.

ssalazar 5y ago
Agreed- though for MIDI 1.0 Kenton has some helpful boxes that act as a USB MIDI host to DIN MIDI converter.
- rektide 5y ago
  the converters are great& easy. this protest that we must conserve an over 30 year old standard& never ever update it is a breed of conservativism that makes me shudder. basic USB is available on a vast vast range of micros, including a huge range of under $1 ones. if you do want to use old gear, great, the are options.
xyzzy123 5y ago
I will shill for the retrokits rk006 all day long (I am not involved and do not benefit from the project). https://retrokits.com/shop/rk006/ https://retrokits.com/shop/rk006/ It's a midi usb host and multi-port thru-box that even boosts succulent growth while you make DAW-less jam. It's particularly good for bridging USB and DIN midi.
- TheOtherHobbes 5y ago
  This is why complaining about MIDI over USB is nonsense. Anyone with more than 3/4 MIDI 1.0 items has always needed at least a simple hub - and possibly a full patch bay, perhaps with processing of key splits, patch mappings, velocity ranges, and so on - all those things you'd use a computer for today. The MIDI 1.0 benefit of connecting keyboard-to-keyboard really didn't last long in practice. Of course you can always do it in theory, but most practical applications at all levels need those extra features.
- cadr 5y ago
  > even boosts succulent growth Go on...
gary_0 5y ago
> without having to have a computer involved I shudder to think of a future where musical instruments require you to download an app to use them; where not only are your stove and washing machine phoning home, but your piano as well. No thanks.
- cbm-vic-20 5y ago
  You can sign up for the Pro edition piano for $9.99/mo, but you're going to have to call the sales team if you're in a touring band and need the Pro Enterprise edition.
  - michaelmrose 5y ago
    Meanwhile the fly by wire key keys which are prone to wear out and need an expensive service call (not included in price) introduce a random jitter in timing in the standard edition. Attempts to correct this jitter by either performing surgery on your own device or correcting same in software are a violation punishable by jail time specified in DMCA v2. Attempting to even do the repair yourself will be a violation of the terms and conditions of your subscription and void your ability for you or anyone else to register and ergo use your Piano. If you know or suspect someone of violating these terms please turn them in for a free $100 gift card good for a fine assortment of musical instruments. If we suspect you have violated these terms you have agreed to give us an opportunity to inspect and if needed disable your equipment. For an additional $200 we will haul off your now useless instrument.
  - ajsnigrutin 5y ago
    How much extra for the black keys?
    - atoav 5y ago
      Starting from 5 cents per stroke, depending on velocity and pitch. Just make sure you have internet connectivity at all times, otherwise your contract with each of the keys cannot be checked.
- 5y ago
musicale 5y ago
We need more in the way of peer-to-peer and/or switchable USB (though I'm not quite sure how charging/power switching should work.) I remember reading about how to get USB to work peer-to-peer (e.g. like a simple bidirectional serial or ethernet cable) but practically it seems very hard. Perhaps USB-C can do it as you suggest?

ssalazar 5y ago

Agreed- though for MIDI 1.0 Kenton has some helpful boxes that act as a USB MIDI host to DIN MIDI converter.

rektide 5y ago
the converters are great& easy. this protest that we must conserve an over 30 year old standard& never ever update it is a breed of conservativism that makes me shudder. basic USB is available on a vast vast range of micros, including a huge range of under $1 ones. if you do want to use old gear, great, the are options.

xyzzy123 5y ago

I will shill for the retrokits rk006 all day long (I am not involved and do not benefit from the project). https://retrokits.com/shop/rk006/ https://retrokits.com/shop/rk006/ It's a midi usb host and multi-port thru-box that even boosts succulent growth while you make DAW-less jam. It's particularly good for bridging USB and DIN midi.

TheOtherHobbes 5y ago
This is why complaining about MIDI over USB is nonsense. Anyone with more than 3/4 MIDI 1.0 items has always needed at least a simple hub - and possibly a full patch bay, perhaps with processing of key splits, patch mappings, velocity ranges, and so on - all those things you'd use a computer for today. The MIDI 1.0 benefit of connecting keyboard-to-keyboard really didn't last long in practice. Of course you can always do it in theory, but most practical applications at all levels need those extra features.
cadr 5y ago
> even boosts succulent growth Go on...

gary_0 5y ago

> without having to have a computer involved I shudder to think of a future where musical instruments require you to download an app to use them; where not only are your stove and washing machine phoning home, but your piano as well. No thanks.

cbm-vic-20 5y ago
You can sign up for the Pro edition piano for $9.99/mo, but you're going to have to call the sales team if you're in a touring band and need the Pro Enterprise edition.
- michaelmrose 5y ago
  Meanwhile the fly by wire key keys which are prone to wear out and need an expensive service call (not included in price) introduce a random jitter in timing in the standard edition. Attempts to correct this jitter by either performing surgery on your own device or correcting same in software are a violation punishable by jail time specified in DMCA v2. Attempting to even do the repair yourself will be a violation of the terms and conditions of your subscription and void your ability for you or anyone else to register and ergo use your Piano. If you know or suspect someone of violating these terms please turn them in for a free $100 gift card good for a fine assortment of musical instruments. If we suspect you have violated these terms you have agreed to give us an opportunity to inspect and if needed disable your equipment. For an additional $200 we will haul off your now useless instrument.
- ajsnigrutin 5y ago
  How much extra for the black keys?
  - atoav 5y ago
    Starting from 5 cents per stroke, depending on velocity and pitch. Just make sure you have internet connectivity at all times, otherwise your contract with each of the keys cannot be checked.
5y ago

musicale 5y ago

We need more in the way of peer-to-peer and/or switchable USB (though I'm not quite sure how charging/power switching should work.) I remember reading about how to get USB to work peer-to-peer (e.g. like a simple bidirectional serial or ethernet cable) but practically it seems very hard. Perhaps USB-C can do it as you suggest?