Terratec Producer MIDI Hubble

I need a DIN MIDI to USB converter; when I saw the Hubble offered three USB connectors besides, I did not hesitate, and I always use it!
Warning: it is * USB 1.1 *, still (!)
So this is not an interface to connect external hard drives - unless you have LOTS of time

UTILIZATION

No problem in eight years of use, immediate recognition by all devices used to date (the most recent being a late 2011 MacBook Pro with OSX 10.7.5.) I can not speak for Windows, but I think the camera is such a simple design that would work on either equally or, at worst, a corresponding driver can be found on the web ... check.

OVERALL OPINION

The simplicity of this case is exemplary. Her life is just as much!
As my connection needs have not increased since purchase, I always use; with USB 2 everywhere and USB 3 becomes the new standard, 3 USB ports riqsuent still not be the page in terms of speed.
That would be my only reason not to buy the same!

I had a simple MIDI interface to connect two MIDI sound modules (a Korg and Roland X5DR MT-32) in and out without making head. I was looking primarily a USB interface so you can connect to most ordis without having to assemble or excessive configuration: having only one PCI slot on my motherboard, I PREFERRED ogy as a possible external USB peripherals, rutilisables easily from one computer to another.

The price is above all that has guided my choice. Indeed, the USB MIDI interfaces "prize" that I found (from 30) taient all interfaces an input / output (or 1 inputs and 2 outputs), or I needed at least two of each ...

Then, in scrutinizing the diffrent interfaces available in order of price, the Terratec THE FIRST 2x2 silent on which I came. And the height of luxury, it offers three more USB ports (since it occupies one of the computer, it actually offers two more).

Well sure, they are USB 1.1, but for the price, there's really nothing to quibble the point: it is not only the luxury of being a 2x2 USB MIDI interfaces least ch res of the market but it still has something to offer and more! And since we never have too much USB ... I put the USB peripherals do not ncessitant transfer rates of USB 2, and that's a me free the rear of the PC is dj has taken.

UTILIZATION

So I achetemme if I had not been able to read an opinion about it. A priori, with my config on Windows XP, is should not pose any compatibility problems. And indeed, this ct-l is not much wrong.

I directly download any XP drivers on the website of Terratec sr to be to have the latest in (the supplied CD is not proposing that, I did not use) and then I installed like any other USB device, reading all of the same record in the case where there would need to install it by following a m particulire method.

A small configuration interface is provided with drivers Terratec, allowing, among other things, to enable or disable the Active Sensing MIDI ports on, to route a MIDI In port (or both) on a port MIDI Out (or both), useful, for example, if you connect a keyboard ports on the matre ITEM This panel also allows to update the firmware of Casing through the USB port.

All these functions seem to be oprationnelles, although I have not thoroughly test the routing function to the MIDI Through: As I left my keyboard matre connect via USB, ports In I therefore only serve to receive updates give my two expanders when I called with their respective software.

It is noted that this interface can work with all drivers is provided by default with XP, so he reconnat as a "USB audio device" and two entries with that name appears ssent then in your list of peripherals MIDI In and Out (instead of "MIDI HUBBLE" with Terratec drivers). The USB hub also works seamlessly with these drivers, like any other USB hub.

However, those drivers with XP, you will be unable to accder interface configuration Boti, it failing with the DTECT XP drivers. However, I keep them because I happened to have blue notches with Terratec drivers, just ... Unplug the PC interface, hot! So J'mets doubt on the stability of drivers from Terratec, but I have not tried to do with the XP drivers to see what was given ...

Aside from this concern, this is trs Casing good job, either as a MIDI interface or as a USB hub: in MIDI, I never had a single data loss when transferring to give my two synths in one way or another (read MIDI files, send / rception of paramtres via SysEx ...).

Better yet, my MT-32, plutt old (1987) and therefore sensitive to consignments of plutt SysEx too fast, no longer suffer like error "Checksum Error" with this interface, while I when I had systmatiquement TRANSFR of SysEx through my keyboard matre.

As for the USB hub, that is, except that it apparently works well trs, he did what is expected of a USB 1.1 hub ... DTECT it all my USB device, Windows recognizes the right, I test with my cls USB webcam, and most importantly, my keyboard matre, regardless ...

I've not done extensive testing to find out, for example, if read errors could occur when transferring on my cls. Likewise I did not plug in my bones my mouse and keyboard: in fact, I do not know if they would be recognized and used before Windows loads (in the BIOS, for example) connects as a USB hub ...

Note also that this interface is powered by the USB port on the computer with all the advantages and inconvnients that has brought, especially as a USB hub. Namely it is allumemme when the PC is dyed (whether it continues to fuel the USB ports when stained), and it ncessite so no external power supply. Fortunately, as no adapter is provided.

Be aware that, like any good USB hub, it is possible to connect with an AC adapter so it can dlivrer a maximum voltage of 500 mA on each of the three ports, not a total voltage of 500 mA Shared e between the three. Useful, for example, if you connect the energy-hungry peripherals (such as a hard disk).

In addition to the red LEDs on each of the MIDI ports, which can indicate when MIDI data passes on one or the other, this interface also possde three LEDs to indicate the proper functioning of the three USB ports . However, they remain constantly lit, there is activity on a USB device or not: it does not blink during transfers, for example. Ds can be in doubt the usefulness of these LEDs ... but they are at least to indicate that the hub works, and dj is better than nothing.

A small dtail which can be important: it does not possde on / off switch. So if your PC continues to feed even skin tone, it will remain lit constantly, until the current passing through your computer ... This can s'avrer Gnant.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 4 months now, and it makes me good service. It allowed me to open two USB 2.0 ports in rear of the PC, and most importantly, it allows me to make MIDI data transfers in both directions (mission / rception) for two of my MIDI peripherals. And falls well is what is expected of this kind of peripherals!

This is my true Premire MIDI interface (I do not count my matre keyboard, joystick ports and sound cards, or MIDI Through my expanders, which are not, I see solutions as flexible), and I'm satisfied.

His report qualitprix is ​​one of the best there is, because, as I said dj, it remains not only one of the least 2x2 USB Chres, but in addition, she serves indpendant USB hub or self-feed.

Certainly, I would have AIM it offers the possibility to route any USB device / MIDI connect to Systm on one of its ports (it can not routing that between its own ports) without third party software such as MIDI Thruway ... But this price can you really ask for more? May be a new version / RVision with USB 2.0 ports?

I would do without this choice hsiter if I need another 2x2 USB MIDI interface. Unless another manufacturer starts in the MIDI Interface with USB hub? Meanwhile, it remains one of the least Chres while offering a bonus that everything is functional USB hub. Casing Besides its compact, black, Integrates perfectly into your small home studio, away from the somewhat eccentric colors of some other MIDI interfaces of the same type ...