M-Audio Midisport 2x2

The M-Audio (Formerly Midiman) Midisport 2x2 is a usb-midi interface with two sets of midi inputs and midi outputs. It is one of the smallest box-style midi interfaces available, and is suitable for most basic midi needs, where only one or two midi devices are being used. For my studio, I simply need one midi input from my larger keyboard midi controller, and this small box fits the bill perfectly. It sits on the floor under my desk, and I never need to touch any controls on it.

UTILIZATION

For the most part, the device does is not plug and play, as it usually requires downloading the correct drivers from M-Audio's driver website. Also, installing the drivers can be confusing, because there are two sets of drivers that need to load when you plug the Midisport 2x2 into the computer. Initially, I thought it was repeating itself (and thus something was wrong) and I aborted the second installation. With Windows 7 and Vista, the drivers may be easier to install than with my Windows XP system.

Functionally, I've had no problems or glitches with this midi interface. There is no lag or latency that needs to be compensated, and the lights on the Midisport easily let me know when it's sending and receiving data. There is a midi thru switch on the device that, if accidentally pressed, will disable some of the midi data transfer to the computer.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall, the Midisport 2x2 is a simple device that does it's job, and has lasted me for many, many years. My version is fairly old (still says Midiman), but the newer devices are nearly identical, they just have a different color design. That just shows how durable and lasting the technical design of this simple unit is. Great midi product, which is usually the case with M-Audio, one of the leading midi device companies out there.

I paid $71 including tax at Guitar Center. I need midi inputs that were USB powered, because my sound card (Echo Mona) had no midi inputs.

The unit is very cool. It has a slow pulsing light to tell you that its configured for USB correctly. Then it has lights that flash to tell you that your transmitting midi information from your keyboard. It has a very robust, light lime green midi box which will look cool around anyone's computer. Also, the unit supports two midi in/outs and midi thru.

Installing the drivers under Windows XP was a very big pain. I finally downloaded the driver zip file from the Midiman site to a floppy, then read the installation instructions. It was all very bizarre and I was proud of myself, after 2 hours, that I got the installation correct.

The construction and quality is top notch. Look no farther for a USB midi unit.

The unit itself is great. The installation CD was of little or no help for Windows XP users, and the small manual that came with it didn't even refer to Windows XP. For some reason, Midiman products and Windows XP don't seem to agree. Usually the installation is an act of god if you can figure out how to get it installed.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

THe model itself is great. It's a 2x2 MIDI controller via USB. it works well. The driver, however, doesn't do sysex properly under OS 9 or OSX on macintosh. This is a bit of a disapointment when trying to use a sysex librarian to store patches, especially with the Electrix filter factory or mo-fx.

Price paid

$50

UTILIZATION

Easy to use, easy to install the driver, works great (with exception of sys-ex)

pretty rugged. no issues in getting it to work (once again, see sys-ex)

OVERALL OPINION

Midi controller is midi controller. it's nice b/c it's small.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown ( 4-, 2002)