MOTU Midi Express XT (Original)

Very good parallel interface. if your PC still has a parallel port (as is the case on mine ...) so do not hesitate and get this interface!

The MIDI Express XT offers very good features, it's a breeze to set up, a rock-solid, and above all excellent value for money on the market opportunity (we find the Midi Express XT parallel to € 50, unlike the USB version is more expensive).

I always had big problems with latency incoming USB MIDI interfaces (Steinberg Midex 3, Evolution UC-33e, ...) and even outright crashes with the big Evolution UC-33e, so I can only praise excellent stability of the MOTU.

another excellent point: it operates as a standalone MIDI patchbay, so no need to turn on your PC, so a real pleasure when you have a hardware sequencer (for my case, a sequentix P3)

UTILIZATION

Installation on Windows XP is a bit more complex than for a more modern interface, but it's frankly not impossible if only one well read the manual and the instructions on the knowledge-based MOTU.

drivers for my part very stable and trouble-free installation

OVERALL OPINION

Z

This is a MIDI interface 8 inputs 8 outputs on parallel port (PC) and 422 (Mac) 19 inch 1U rack.

Mine differ slightly from the photo above: instead of the blue square buttons, round buttons it has a black hand but it is certainly raise the same since bears the same name model.

Principal characteristics:
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1 parallel port and two RS422 ports.

Can be used also as a MIDI patchbay functions MERGE - the 8 inputs can be merges, RARE! ^ ^, SPLIT MIDI filters, permutations and shuffled channel MIDI, SMPTE sync conversion, among others.

The rglage of routing MIDI patchbay section is done on computer software thanks to MOTU Clockworks but it is possible to save presets in memory of the 8 slot MOTU and to result in accder in standalone mode.

The 8 factory presets, which allows a merger of the 8 inputs are available in standalone.

The 8 is located between the front facade and the outlet 8 is located on the front facade and the rear facade with other outlets.

A jack for a pedal and an interrupt PANIC button (stop all notes and all MIDI emergency) on the front ^ ^

A ct on the right switch 230 volts - 110 volts, RARE! This allows the hand to bring the U.S. if it is needed ^ ^

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UTILIZATION

I was looking for a 8 x 8 MIDI patchbay able to merge the eight inputs for my Akai ME80p (8 x 10) can merger among two, with the Motu Midi Express XT, I am well served ^ ^ No more changes branching, it relaxes Whereas my MIDI setup.

I just find it unfortunate that one can not configure the standalone patchbay, we have still, even need a computer for this: if I had known, I would provide the USB version ^ ^

The site is very poorly organized Motu it is difficult to know which files DOWNLOADS for drivers and manuals, it is very unfortunate.

Good, but any rate, in the worst case I'll use it only to merge the different instruments directors of MIDI data such as keypads or botes rhythms gr that the factory preset "Merge All" available in standalone mode and splitter (to distribute the instruments rcepteurs infromation of MIDI data such as expanders, samplers and synths in racks, for example), although this MOTU also does with this preset, I will use ME80p: it is more comfortable for her this.

So my MIDI setup works tip top ^ ^ thunder

OVERALL OPINION

I knew MOTU offers interfaces / 8 x 8 MIDI patchbays able to merge the eight MIDI inputs and I do not know any other brand currently capable of doing, except Midi Solutions. And yet, they do not offer an interface to the computer, they offer only beasts and / or racks for various tasks but each model Specializes in a particular chih.

The positive points:
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Partial operation in standalone.

The factory presets grouping configruations most common whose fusion (Merge) of the 8 inputs are available in standalone.

1 set of - MIDI output on the front ^ ^

1 jack for pedal available in front

2 RS422 interfaces for Mac

Convert MIDI SMPTE sync

PANIC button obviousness well in front

Easy to use, no need manual for basic functions.

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The negatives points:
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Unable to configure the MIDI patchbay standalone damage.

Drivers not found on the empty site Motu.

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There's just something that m'inquite: Power button moves. J'espre it does not short-circuit ... Well yes, it just happened, he had a short-circuit and it no longer works. Well, I mine, I had the second hand is bad luck, I guess ... So I will get, still used, in the range above: the Motu Midi Timepiece AV.

Apart from that, even if we can not set ourselves the same standalone patchbay, it is perfectly usable as it is thanks to the fact that I then redistribute to Akai MIDI information to the racks Synth.