[Resolved] Midex 8 Help!

[Como Baila]

Bought a used unit and I'm trying to determine if it is operational. Since I've never used one before, I'm not sure how to check it out.

I had trouble using it on Win 7 x64, even though I could see all the midi ports after the install ... but I, of course, didn't know if it was a driver or hardware problem.

I loaded it on my XP laptop and again it appeared to install showing me all the ports. I ran Midi Test 4.12 and it worked fine testing input 1 to output 1, input 2 to output 2, input 1 to output 2 with a midi cable connected.

But while I could trigger output from a controller connected to input 1 or 8 and through from each output port, tested one at a time, to my module ... I couldn't patch directly from, for example, input 3 to output 3 with controller in and module out.

Is this a limitation of the hardware or a defect?

Also, any selected output port of the midex8 in the Cubase inspector failed to send midi out through the unit to a connected sound module.

Shouldn't, for example, if I select Midex8 output 3 in the inpector midi track output, that send midi to a module connected physically to Midex8 output 3 in the hardware via the USB connection?

I'd really appreciate a short answer to these two questions, since while I'm pretty sure the unit is not fully operational, my lack of knowledge of the hardware prevents me from making that conclusion.

Como

[Strophoid]

If you select midex output 3 in cubase and connect something to midi out 3 on the midex then yes it should receive any data you send to it from Cubase. Question would be if Cubase takes the midex out of standalone mode? If not, then your PC doesn't fully recognise it.

But while I could trigger output from a controller connected to input 1 or 8 and through from each output port, tested one at a time, to my module ... I couldn't patch directly from, for example, input 3 to output 3 with controller in and module out.

This is intended behaviour. There are 2 standalone options, you can switch between them using the button on the right. Option 1 is: send all midi data received at input 1 to output 1-8, option 2 is send all midi data received at input 8 to output 1-8. In standalone, inputs 2-7 are inactive. With that in mind, you already tested that input 1, input 8 and outputs 1-8 are all fully functional.

However, when Cubase launches it should take over the Midex, taking it out of standalone mode and disabling all routing until you make the connections in software. To test the other 6 inputs you'l need to use Cubase to do the midi routing. In other words, this observation is normal and no indication of a defective unit. What I mentioned above however about the routing from Cubase should work. If it doesn't to me it sounds like a driver problem and not a hardware problem.

[MrSoundman]

Is it possible the OP is confusing the Midex with a MIDI router/patchbay? For example, something like the MOTU MIDI Express 128 XT also has patchbay and merger functionality, i.e. you can use a seperate software utility to program patches with any combination of inputs connecting to any combination of outputs, and these will work even when disconnected from the computer, whereas the Midex is "only" a MIDI interface ... the only routing available when not under control of a host computer is as outlined by Strophoid above.

[Como Baila]

If you select midex output 3 in cubase and connect something to midi out 3 on the midex then yes it should receive any data you send to it from Cubase. Question would be if Cubase takes the midex out of standalone mode? If not, then your PC doesn't fully recognise it.

But while I could trigger output from a controller connected to input 1 or 8 and through from each output port, tested one at a time, to my module ... I couldn't patch directly from, for example, input 3 to output 3 with controller in and module out.

This is intended behaviour. There are 2 standalone options, you can switch between them using the button on the right. Option 1 is: send all midi data received at input 1 to output 1-8, option 2 is send all midi data received at input 8 to output 1-8. In standalone, inputs 2-7 are inactive. With that in mind, you already tested that input 1, input 8 and outputs 1-8 are all fully functional.

However, when Cubase launches it should take over the Midex, taking it out of standalone mode and disabling all routing until you make the connections in software. To test the other 6 inputs you'l need to use Cubase to do the midi routing. In other words, this observation is normal and no indication of a defective unit. What I mentioned above however about the routing from Cubase should work. If it doesn't to me it sounds like a driver problem and not a hardware problem.

Thanks, Strophoid.

OK ... I'm now clear that standalone mode is operational. And I'm clear that when Cubase or other host 'takes' over standalone mode is disabled and I should be able to route through the host software.

Since I am not able to communicate on two different installations, using the recently provided driver update for Win 7 x64 on my desktop and the latest Win XP 32 bit driver from the support website on my XP laptop, I must try to determine whether it is a hardware or driver problem.

In both cases, the drivers installed first time without problems and all 8 ports show up in various software hosts. I initially thought I was just having bad luck with the x64 'unsupported' driver, but when I got the same result on the XP install I started to wonder.

Any tips?

Como

[Como Baila]

Is it possible the OP is confusing the Midex with a MIDI router/patchbay? For example, something like the MOTU MIDI Express 128 XT also has patchbay and merger functionality, i.e. you can use a seperate software utility to program patches with any combination of inputs connecting to any combination of outputs, and these will work even when disconnected from the computer, whereas the Midex is "only" a MIDI interface ... the only routing available when not under control of a host computer is as outlined by Strophoid above.

Yes, exactly. I was successfully using a MOTU MIDI Timepiece Parallel in the 32 bit world. My uninformed thought was that the Midex8 would work similarly.

Wouldn't it be nice if Steinberg developed an 8 port interface with the functionality of the MOTU and LTB?!

Como

[MrSoundman]

Wouldn't it be nice if Steinberg developed an 8 port interface with the functionality of the MOTU and LTB?

absolutely! Or perhaps they'd publish the spec of LTB and let someone else develop one!

[Como Baila]

Thank you guys ... knowing how it is supposed to work, I now have it working flawlessly in Win 7 x64 and Win XP!

Ignorance is not bliss ... it is frustration, self-doubt and anxiety. Thank Heavens there are folks like you two to enlighten the heathen.

Como

[Strophoid]

Glad to hear, it's always a little risky buying second hand stuff
I did the same and I'm very happy with my midex too!

[MrSoundman]

I was successfully using a MOTU MIDI Timepiece Parallel

Just to mention that you can continue to use your Timepiece if you program your patches on an older XP machine using the parallel port (maybe an old laptop which only gets connected when you need to modify an existing patch) -- you can switch patches from the front panel of the Timepiece. You could e.g. take ADAT sync, send it out from the Timepiece as MTC and into the Midex and get Cubase to slave to it, have another patch where you just use it as a merger for convenience, etc.

[Como Baila]

I was successfully using a MOTU MIDI Timepiece Parallel

Just to mention that you can continue to use your Timepiece if you program your patches on an older XP machine using the parallel port (maybe an old laptop which only gets connected when you need to modify an existing patch) -- you can switch patches from the front panel of the Timepiece. You could e.g. take ADAT sync, send it out from the Timepiece as MTC and into the Midex and get Cubase to slave to it, have another patch where you just use it as a merger for convenience, etc.

Heh, heh ... I actually have my old XP install on my same daw on an Acronis Disk Image waiting for some day when I'm feeling really bold to install it on a separate partition for a dual boot. I've downloaded the bootloader utility and got all my links lined up to guide me through.

But I've realized that if the Midex 8 works fine, I'll still have to be unplugging a lot of midi cables.

I also realized I could program the routing on the MOTU and then use it 'stand alone' and patch into it from the Midex 8. That might be the best solution. The MOTU saves 10 different routing schemes in the 'stand alone' memory.

I'm now thinking of a second Midex 8. What is the deal on syncing two of them? I read something I didn't fully understand about using/ needing some other hardware or maybe the word clock out on your interface ... which I have available on my RME Multiface. But I don't see any ports for any attachment except the midi ports on the Midex 8?

This all makes me start to get dizzy just contemplating it.

Como

[MrSoundman]

I'm now thinking of a second Midex 8. What is the deal on syncing two of them?

Just plug it in and use it ... no sync requirements as they'll both get LTB from Cubase . Wordclock sync is only needed for audio interfaces.

[Reiknir]

I was successfully using a MOTU MIDI Timepiece Parallel

Just to mention that you can continue to use your Timepiece if you program your patches on an older XP machine using the parallel port (maybe an old laptop which only gets connected when you need to modify an existing patch) -- you can switch patches from the front panel of the Timepiece. You could e.g. take ADAT sync, send it out from the Timepiece as MTC and into the Midex and get Cubase to slave to it, have another patch where you just use it as a merger for convenience, etc.

This is why I keep an old pre-OSX mac around, I can buy old opcode interfaces for only 1 to 5 pounds apice these days on ebay, useless for the most part as MIDI interfaces but superb MIDI processors and mergers but need a MAC to control them to a degree.

[Como Baila]

This is why I keep an old pre-OSX mac around, I can buy old opcode interfaces for only 1 to 5 pounds apice these days on ebay, useless for the most part as MIDI interfaces but superb MIDI processors and mergers but need a MAC to control them to a degree.

How does that old song go? 'Everything old is new again!'

BTW, I got the second Midex8 and they work together flawlessly. With 2 E-Mu Midi2x2, the port in my RME, 2 Loopbe virtual ports and the 2 Midex8's, I think I'm pretty well covered.

Como

[Steve Fogal]

Is it possible the OP is confusing the Midex with a MIDI router/patchbay? For example, something like the MOTU MIDI Express 128 XT also has patchbay and merger functionality, i.e. you can use a seperate software utility to program patches with any combination of inputs connecting to any combination of outputs, and these will work even when disconnected from the computer, whereas the Midex is "only" a MIDI interface ... the only routing available when not under control of a host computer is as outlined by Strophoid above.

I'm coming in way late here, but this is the exact answer to what I've been searching for...trying to figure out the differences between the Midex 8X8 & Motu Express XT. My research has come up short.

I've been planning on picking up a used Midex or Motu XT, but wasn't sure which I needed. I'm not 100% sure on how I'd be using a midi device, but I'm pretty sure that I'll want the ability to route any input to any output. I don't suspect I'll be using it away from my home recording environment. With that, I'm not sure that the Midex can have such extensive routing even while connected to a computer...

[MrSoundman]

I'm not sure that the Midex can have such extensive routing even while connected to a computer...

Not the Midex itself, but combined with something like MIDI-OX, pretty much anything would be possible.

[Steve Fogal]

Thanks Mr, I had a look at that MIDI-OX. Are you saying that 'as long as' the Midex 8 is hooked up to a computer, and while using MIDI-OX, any of the Midex 8's 5-pin midi Inputs (incoming midi instrument/module) can be configured to any midi channel/track 'into Cubase'. Likewise, any midi channel/track 'within Cubase' can be routed out to any of the Midex 8's 5-pin midi Outputs to trigger a connected midi instrument/module
But what the Midex 8 does NOT do, is route any 5-pin midi Input to any 5-pin midi Output, thereby connecting any outboard midi equipment to one another. My midi equipment consists of keyboard/synth/controller, 3 drum trigger/sound modules, another 2 computers (with VSTi's) and a sound module...so far. Possibly more sound modules & possibly a midi guitar/controller to come.

After looking at several units, then narrowing it down to a few possible units - the Midex 8, Motu 128 & Motu Midi Express XT, and being unsure of each of their capabilities. It seems that the Motu Midi Express may be the most flexible, whether connected to a computer, or not.
I'd like the capabilities to also be able to connect any midi instrument/module to any other midi instrument/module via the 5-pin midi Inputs/Outputs. I'm under the impression at this point that only the Motu Midi Express XT has this capability of ths 3 units.
After months of researching, not knowing anything before hand, and buying an old Motu Midi EXpress PC that I'm going to have to ditch, this is what I've come to know...or misunderstand as the case may, or may not be.

[MrSoundman]

Are you saying that 'as long as' the Midex 8 is hooked up to a computer, and while using MIDI-OX, any of the Midex 8's 5-pin midi Inputs (incoming midi instrument/module) can be configured to any midi channel/track 'into Cubase'. Likewise, any midi channel/track 'within Cubase' can be routed out to any of the Midex 8's 5-pin midi Outputs to trigger a connected midi instrument/module

You can do all of that with the Midex inside Cubase already, without any need for MIDI-OX; however, if you wanted to use, let's say, a standalone synth editing application you could use virtual MIDI ports (using e.g. MIDI Yoke) and route them to any hardware ports using MIDI-OX.

If you want to be able to do this without a computer, then yes, you need a device with MIDI routing capabilities; however, even the parallel-port MIDI Express 128 XT will do that -- you just don't have any way to customise the presets unless you have an XP computer with a parallel (printer) port still lying around (an old laptop perhaps?)

[Strophoid]

You can already do a lot of routing inside Cubase. Just create a midi track, set your preferred input, set your preferred output, enable monitor et voila, you have connected any input to any output. You can now use any instrument to trigger any other instrument (both software and hardware), and also record your performance.

[Steve Fogal]

Yes, all my machines are Win XP 32 bit. And, I actually have my original DAW (ASUS A7V266-E mobo) set up that HAS a parallel port on it.
My other two music machines (ASUS P5KC mobo's) do not have a regular parallel port, but do have a legacy parallel connection point mounted on the mobo, which reqiures an adaptor still sold by ASUS that go's from the board and extends to the case...unless a PCI ir PCIe to parallel card is used.
Just how well an older Motu midi express XT parallel unit will work, if at all with either the adaptor or card above, I've been having a hard tine researching a definate answer. Though again, I do have that older machine with the parallel port, if nothing else. Then there's the USB version of the XT.

So it sounds like the Midex 8 would suffice, only with using a computer, and only with USB into the DAW...as it is now, I am only using 5-pin midi connections daisy/chaining between my midi gear, and then into my DAW through my Aardvark Q10's midi 5-pin connection...as well as sending 5-pin midi from one computer to another between my Aardvark audio/midi interfaces. I really would like to not have to daisy-chain all my midi devices like I am though, which don't all have midi-thru on them. Plus, EVERYTHING in the chain has to be turned on when using any one piece.

[Steve Fogal]

Well ... I HAD my eye on a used Midex 8, for around $120.00 & it's still available, as is another one for around $100.00...so far.

I also HAD my eye on a Motu Midi Express XT (parallel), for around $60...still available as well.

But then, today I stumbled upon a Motu MTP timepiece AV (parallel) .. for $45.00 instead, which as I understad is much like an midi express XT, but does even more. Plus it can be programed directly from the front panel of the unit, and without the computer being connected. So I snagged it.
Now I just need to look for a manual & drivers for it, and order the pin header parallel extention adaptor for my ASUS P5KC mobo. This unit should fill whatever midi needs I may have, or run into more so than the Midex 8 & the Motu XT.

[Elektrobolt]

Yo Steve, how much MIDI equipment do you use?

[Steve Fogal]

Hi Electro, until recent times all I would have been using was my keyboard/synth & 2 drum trigger/modules (have extensive trigger pads). Daisy-chained. No midi-thru on the drum modules.

Recently added a 2nd older computer to run VSTi's from, via standard midi between the 2 machines, and just built a 3rd computer which is the same specs of my main machine, which will replace the older one, or combine them if even needed...via standard midi (for now). Have multiple audio/midi I/O interfaces for all machines.

Picked up a sound module a few weeks ago...may pick up another one. Also have a 3rd drum trigger/module, but unsure if I'll be using it.

So, with the number of midi devices/instruments I have so far, and what may soon be, I may need a number of separate midi ports , rather than congest a single 16 midi channel port - based on my research - avoiding hanging or stuck notes etc. Plus, I wanted the capability to have extensive routing in any situation I may encounter. For this reason, it seems that Motu came out on top... particularly the Midi Express XT and the Midi Timepiece AV. The Midex 8 was more money & seemed to do a lot less out of the box, and wasn't stand-alone capable.

[Strophoid]

Let us know how you fare, been following this with some interest

[Steve Fogal]

Sure Strop estimated delivery of the Motu I won is the 20th of this month, then it's up to when I have time to experiment with it. I 'think' I found the proper drivers for the Motu Timepiece MTP AV parallel unit from Motu's site. If it all works, it'll be the best $45.00 (+ shipping) I ever spent

http://www.motu.com/download/download_m ... duct_id=16

...in case anyone else is looking for drivers at some future point.

I'm really floundering here with all this midi stuff...but experimenting is all part of the fun in learning.