External USB MIDI interface?

[dnbroxme]

currently, my comp isn't expandable (no room for any other PCI slots... :( )

it's an extremely tiny, yet fairly powerful hp. 1.6ghz, 512mb (expanding later, if possible.. haha), dvd-r/cd-rw, etc...

anyway - back to the question:

are there any decent priced external usb midi interfaces with little (zero, if possible) latency?


thanks!

---
edit: scratch that.. found one! emu 0404.
new question: is there anything that stands out from the rest that'd be a recommended buy?

[Onkel Dunkel]

new question: is there anything that stands out from the rest that'd be a recommended buy?

What do you mean? Any gear at all or anything specific???

[dnbroxme]

was looking for a real simple one, and asking if anyone had or knew of a good one that they'd recommend (nothing too pricey, <$150). maybe 2x midi i/o with some rca's + 1/4"'s (for later expansion :) ), but i found out that the microkontrol is a midi interface if you have it hooked up to your comp via usb :)

so...! that being said... not gonna get a synth for a while (saving for a TI! :D ), so i can just build on the kontrol (maybe a 49...? i like the fact that it has more keys and actual jog/mod wheels, as opposed to an x/y stick alone) to use w/ the ti desktop once i get goin.

[Khazul]

No firewire port?

two cans and a bit of string is probably better than a USB audio interface... :)

[dnbroxme]

if ("firewire" != "usb 2.0")
define "firewire";


still have no idea what exactly firewire is (that is, if it's not usb 2.0)... :confused:

and why is a usb midi interface so bad?

[Onkel Dunkel]

Anyone correct me if im wrong: Firewire is much more stable than USB. Firewire is originally designed for video tranfer so sending data in a stream. This is much more stable for counteniously data tranfer (lfor audio and video) than USB that sends data in packages...

[Khazul]

Firewire is another interface used for alot of audio cards, video, harddiscs etc.
Most usefully the protocols were created to support reliable streaming data and the concept of channels with reserved bandwidth etc - that translates to glitch free audio streams - if we assume the drivers themselves aint glitchy which of course is another issue that plagues both USB2 and Firewire drivers.

USB2 is just a free for all - its a dodgy best effort based on the assumption that the bandwidth of USB2 is going to be high enough anyway (480Mbit).

Ironically, USB1.1 actually had some concept of bandwdith reservation, but some fucking idiot didnt think that was needed anymore in the USB2 spec for audio. Duh!!!!

Also the channel based nature of firewire means lower and more consitent latency potentially - firewire bus latency is really tiny compared with typical best effort USB2 latency.

[Threlly]

Firewire interfaces have their own chipset that handles data transfer, and they have a bit of oomph too.
Firewire can sustain 400mbps transfer rate.
All data has bit locked synchronisation.
It was designed for Video & Audio.

USB uses your CPU.
USB sends data in lumps.
USB can PEAK at 480mbps in exceptional circumstances.
Synchronisation can not be guaranteed, only attempted.
It was never designed for Audio, Video or Midi.
It was designed for printers, scanners, keyboards and low level bulk data transfer (Digital cameras, MP3 players)

Look up USB & Firewire on Wikipedia.

Hope to god your machine has Firewire and wonder why the hell Access put USB1.1 on their mega-synth ?

[ledge]

And to actually answer your question MOTU do a bunch here (http://www.motu.com/products/midi/). I have a MicroLite and it seems fine, no noticable lag, the price is $149.

usb is fine for midi as midi doesn't carry much data.

Though you have mentioned the 0404 which isn't just midi. Do you want a midi interface or a soundcard?

[dnbroxme]

was looking for a soundcard w/ a midi interface (see above - w/ rca's, 1/4", and midi i/o's)....

but for what im planning on getting for now (virus ti desktop, kontrol 49, and some monitors), im thinkin the kontrol would be fine as a midi interface (usb out, midi i/o w/ only one other device at the moment, being the ti).

comments, suggestions?

[psy604]

for the TI you not require MIDI ports - since it works via USB v1.1.

hmm. does your PC have a firewire controller + interface??
(it's often called IEEE1394 Controller in Windows Device Manager)

[AlexHall74]

dnbroxme,

I would stay away from the USB 2.0 audio/MIDI combo interfaces, especially since the firewire models are so inexpensive nowadays.

Check this out for $199:

Echo AudioFire 2: (This one does Audio AND MIDI)
http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/regular/5/1/1/438511.jpg

at

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Echo-AudioFire2-2-Channel-Firewire-Audio-Interface?sku=245640

Also, What sequencer will you be using? If you haven't bought one yet and you want to get a ree on to play with before you decide check out "Cantabile" at:

http://www.toptensoftware.com/cantabile/

Also, you might want to ditch the Kontrol 49 for a Novation Remote in order to take advantage of the AutoMap functionality with VSTs and sequencers alike. Very cool!

I just bought a M-Audio MIDI Sport 4X4 MIDI interface (USB) and it works great, no hiccups at all, a piece of cake to hook up. They also make a 2X2 model. Check it out at www.musiciansfriend.com or www.zzounds.com if you're in North America. If you're in the UK the only site I can think of off hand to buy gear is www.htfr.com because I cruise their wax selection from my office on my lunch break each day.

Enough babble from me.

;)

Good luck!