Prodipe MIDI USB 4i/4o + Merge 2i»4o

Price, 4 ins & outs 4

UTILIZATION

Drivers? * ... * Cough ...

OVERALL OPINION

Interesting and attractive on paper, until I connect:
Random detection on Windows XP SP3, it is recognized only after 4 attempts ... Finally!
I run my DAW / VSTi, the interface is in the list, but no signal is transmitted twelve o'clock.
Lights out, cold re-boot ... re-launch DAW / VSTi, phew! noon signal passes.
I start to play, and Arghh! Latency south of about 50 ms. . Simply unplayable live.
I checked my other 2 interfaces noon, that they, in the same session, give me a midi timing / latency instant ... What normal!
Re-check the Prodipe 4I4O, again the latency of 50 ms.

And this is the biggest concern of "Class Compliant" c ie using a generic driver for Windows / MacOS.
It reminds me of the mini keyboard Behringer UMA25S, which has a similar latency (in Class Compliant mode) to 4I4O.
But now, Behringer offers a specific driver that addresses this concern (like an ASIO driver, but for some midday).
Since the install of the driver, the afternoon of UMA25S timing is impeccable.

Back to 4I4O prodipe:
Some Google searches lead me to moults user forums with the same latency problem (+ bcp other worries ...), some posts dating 3-4 years!
You should know that despite that, Prodipe still offers no specific driver for this interface.

I have two kits ST8 Prodipe Drum Microphones that quality / price ratio, give me satisfaction.
However, I find that Prodipe ASHAMED to allow to continue to sell this 4I4O. It is just acceptable to play midi files, but unusable serious computer music.
Whether they derive from their catalog ... or when they hire an engineer / developer worthy of the name to write a driver solving all these problems (circa 3-4 years I remember ^ ^).

In short, the current state of things, a product to avoid like the plague, because loss of energy & time for nothing.
I sent the package and make me pay.

I took it to connect my analog synths with my mac and my midi keyboard.
4 i / o for not very expensive: it is attractive on paper.

UTILIZATION

It saturates immediately.

OVERALL OPINION

The interface saturates immediately. It mixes brushes and forget a lot of messages. In particular, she misses most "note off", which automatically blocks my machines.
Of course, it also loses the other messages.
This problem does not happen after 5 minutes, but after 2 seconds ....

I said I was too ambitious to connect several machines inside. I tried plugging only one monophonic synth. And no, it is still unreliable.

In the end, it is perfectly useless!

It is very far from the performance (though very limited) of a M-Audio 2x2 .... it said.

Cheap in absolute terms .... very expensive for an object that is absolutely worthless!

The price, but certainly not the look!
I wanted a MIDI interface cheap and effective! I HAVE BEEN SERVED FOR THE PRICE BUT QUALITY IS NOT REALLY THE APPOINTMENT.

UTILIZATION

There is horror, because stability is ABSOLUTELY not guaranteed.
I used the "beast" with both PC and Mac with Logic, Cakewalk and Cubase. IT IS STILL UNSTABLE!
Saturation happens very quickly and it is not uncommon to have several successive stalls!

OVERALL OPINION

I used VERY LITTLE, but really VERY LITTLE, because I had nothing else around at that time!
I do not like: The side MADE IN CHINA, cheap and really badly done. It makes a mockery of the world that offer such a product with a finish as mediocre.
What I like: Not much. Really, not much even making an effort. This is an absolutely ZERO.
In conclusion, it is a brand that highlights the quality / price ratio for all its products and which also boasts professional appearance. Short! it's like they want, but in reality, having seen many professionals working in the studio, I've never seen "utensils" of the brand.
So if you want a good midi interface that will give you ABSOLUTELY no problems, take those brand maudio. They are reliable, cheap and work faithfully for many years.

What characteristics have motivated your choice?

4 out / 4 in, it leaves room.

For what purpose? What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / RAM / Disk, ...)?

Control gear via FLStudio twelve o'clock. I have an asus laptop PC base.

What instruments or systems you use it?

Expanders (Kawai XD-5, TX81Z Yamaha, Korg M3R), synths (Korg EA-1, Roland Juno-2), midi controller (Kawai MM-16).

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable? How often are updated? What software do you use most often? Do you ever happen to saturate the MIDI interface and if so, under what circumstances?

No drivers, with FLStudio and publishers noon. No saturation, no crash (in fact if, once, but it was my fault, I caused a big loop noon with Midi Yoke, I insulted the bike but it was there for nothing ...).

OVERALL OPINION

How long you use it?

A month or two.

What is so special that you love most, the least

The +
- Simple
- Not expensive
- Very simple
- Reliable
- I said it was easy to use already?

The -
- She has not looked very solid, but it's for the home studio without mobility, we'll see.

Did you tried many other models before buying it?

Apart Amiga, no, this is also why I see no point in spending more, noon is a proven technology for a long time, I see no reason why it should cost an arm ...

How would you rate the quality / price? With experience, you do again this choice?

Very good value for the moment you plug it configures Midi Yoke and Programs, and it works both ways. I remake that choice without hesitation.