All user reviews for the MidiTemp Multistation MSX

Reader / Midi / MP3 compatible audio
Double drive SoundFonts + daughter card slot type Yamaha DB50XG
Midi Patch 8 in - 8 out merge with total processing
2 audio inputs + 4 outputs, headphone jack, footswitch, 2 x remote control
S-VHS + composite
2 modules built-in effects
Hard drive, CD, floppy and SmartMedia
USB interface for transferring files

Everything is managed by a wired remote control with touch screen.

UTILIZATION

Getting started requires patience, especially as the paper manual is provided in German ... A PDF version is available in English on the website of Miditemp (http://www.miditemp.com/). Reading it is necessary to be aware of all the functions of the machine that I can not describe here as there are many ...

Each memory is called a patch, and may contain a midifile, an mp3, or a configuration of patch noon. These can be programmed splitsde master keyboard, for example.

The possibilities are enormous once we have grasped the principle of operation of layers, and that it has the functions of filtering and routing.

Each Midi file can be retouched, each track directed towards any of the external or internal ports and published in full, on or off. The tempo and pitch can be changed, and you can even set benchmarks for looping sections of the song. The loop is enabled / disabled by a pedal switch.

One can associate files to Wav Midi notes on a track named "Trigger". This allows you to mix audio and MIDI, triggering samples from a keyboard or scheduled in the sequence.

The video output will display information on a screen remote Pal, or scroll the words contained in the Midifiles, so karaoke.

The CD-ROM drive can play audio CDs directly through a dedicated, MSX and also features a DJ function that makes the screen appear a double MP3/Midi player with possibility of fade.

The recording mono or stereo audio rises to the analog inputs or output device, depending on the setting.

SOUNDS

Nothing to say about the general sound quality. The audio recording is done in Wav 16, 24 or 32 bit 44.1 kHz. Other frequencies can be read with real-time conversion, sacrificing overall performance.

Midi sounds are from an internal Bank of SoundFonts provided, pretty good. There are others on the net, unfortunately, the memory available for the SF is limited to 32 MB, 44 MB or by turning off the music playback.

OVERALL OPINION

The MSX has happened a few weeks ago in my set the stage for replacing (finally) a floppy disk drive sequences Alesis Datadisk who followed me for 15 years. I wanted to retain the ability to call any song in memory by sending a program change from my Yamaha MFC10 MIDI foot controller, without having to change disks, and with the possibility of making loops in the score to repeat a set verse / chorus, or make it last a solo ad libitum.

On these points, I am filled ... The SoundFonts and MIDI patch are the icing on the cake! The price is justified? It's a matter of perspective.

The operating system is flashable, but the latest version has more than a year. I hope development continues, despite the small number of machines sold. I believe that playing video files is planned for the future. This feature combined with a DVD instead of CD-Rom is a pure joy! How about the possibility de'utiliser the machine as a Midi interface 8 in - 8 out for PC / Mac? I watch out the next version of OS ...

A point when even a small problem with the remote control with backlight does not work. I have to return it, hoping not to be deprived for months ...

I would do this choice because there is no equivalent, even in software version.

Beautiful animal!

INCREDIBLY SUPERB FEATURES: - A rack mounted 1U main unit with touch screen remote control (easy to use); optional 2nd remote control port on the front of the main unit - The operating system is on flash-eprom easily updated via the internet from time to time. - Midi file player (full blown midi sequencer); Routing to 8 midi outs (to external sound modules) or to the 2 internal sound-font based sample players; 8 tracks of audio (aiff, wav, mp3, etc.) play simultaneous with midi file or as stand alone "audio only" songs; "DJ style" double player lets you cross-fade between 2 different songs (manual or auto-fade); "Live-mode" lets you program cue points for measure position jumping and looping, GM transposing, etc.; the files patch list let's you have access to thousands of songs ready to play - Lyrics can be displayed on the remote control screen or through the video out on a video monitor (tv screen, pc flat screen, projectors, etc.) with "karaoke style" scrolling; syncronise JPEG pictures (for multimedia shows) - Samples trigger (jingle pad "audio or JPEG" player) - Midi file recorder / audio recorder (record midi and audio to HD) - Data storage on the internal hard drive (a whopping 40 or 120 GB), CD-ROM, Smartmedia, Floppy, SCSI (all laptop based components) - Incredibly powerful fully programable midi controller (Midi Matrix) - the 2 internal sample-players play your SoundFonts (16 X 2 midi channels) - Internal digital mixer with digital effects (reverb, delay, chorus, etc.) - 8 midi ins; 8 midi outs; 4 audio outs; 2 audio ins; headphone out; footswitch in (for hands-free control) - USB port for files exchange with a PC (explorer ready)

Price paid: $1.900 USD

UTILIZATION

Very usable in live performance situations. Fairly easy operating method. Once you understand the way the system is organised operation becomes much clearer. This machine has tons of "hidden" features that are not so clearly explained in the manual. But there is good technical and user support via email and a user's forum offers help as well.

Very well built! The main rack mount unit as well as the remote control are very sturdy. Most of it's components are taken from laptops. Since the unit runs from the operating system which lies internally on a flash-eprom, I've never had it crash on me (like my laptop did many times). For data storage the internal hard drive is laptop based so it can be easily upgraded. And then there's the smartmedia drive, CD-ROM drive, floppy, etc.

SOUNDS

After two decades working with various music production machines (Roland MC, Akai MPC, Laptops, etc.) in live-performance situations on the road, I can honestly say that this european-built unit is the best I've put my hands on so far. The sound quality of this little known machine is simply great (24 bit audio / 32 bit multi DSP processing).

OVERALL OPINION

After working with this machine in my live shows for over a year now, I've sincerely grown to love it for what it does for me. As I mentioned above, I've worked with all kinds of sequencers on the road over the past couple of decades, and by far this is the best there is out there. I carry the main unit in a small 4U rack together with a sampler and 2 sound modules. My midi cables are permanently connected. At gigs I simply connect the audio cables, plug my midi keyboard controller to the midi input on the front of the unit, place the remote control in front of me on the keyboard controller, and I'm good to go!

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Hildward ( 1-, 2006)