MIDI Interfaces connecting via USB (without audio i/o)

[supernova777]

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov99/articles/applenotes.htm

yamaha ux256 (2000)


http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov00/articles/yamahaux256.htm

motu midi timepiece AV USB (2000)


* uses standard 120v powerlead connection
http://web.archive.org/web/20040409083220/http://www.motu.com/english/hardware/mtpav_usb/body.html
mac manual: http://cdn-data.motu.com/manuals/midi/MIDI_Timepiece_AV_USB_User_Guide_Mac.pdf
win manual: http://cdn-data.motu.com/manuals/midi/MIDI_Timepiece_AV_USB_User_Guide_Win.pdf
motu usb midi devices require Mac OS 8.6 or later
networking: http://www.motu.com/techsupport/technotes/document.2000-01-28.4413716217
this device can be networked,daisychained,used in conjunction with other nonUSB "timepiece" units but not "express" units
emagic amt8 (usb / mac rs422 serial / pc rs232 serial)
DRIVERS HERE: http://web.archive.org/web/20020603152527/http://www.emagic.de/english/support/download/toolsmac.html
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan00/articles/emagicamt8.htm]http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan00/articles/emagicamt8.htm

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan00/articles/emagicamt8.htm
emagic unitor8 mk II (2001)


http://medias.audiofanzine.com/images/normal/emagic-unitor-8-mkii-71462.jpg
http://www.digitalprosound.com/2001/06_jun/reviews/emagic1.htm
article: http://www.emusician.com/news/0766/emagic-unitor8-mkii/145026
DRIVERS HERE: http://web.archive.org/web/20020603152527/http://www.emagic.de/english/support/download/toolsmac.html
manual: http://www.advancedaudiorentals.com/docs/Unitor%208%20en.pdf
what are the differences between emagic midi interfaces?

Motu Midi Express XT USB (2000) 2nd version connects via usb/mac serial, note that the original version connects via mac serial/parallel, parallel pc support dropped


http://web.archive.org/web/20000816175723/http://www.motu.com/english/hardware/xpressxt_usb/body.html
http://web.archive.org/web/20000823150221/http://www.motu.com/english/hardware/xpressxt_usb/features.html
manual: http://cdn-data.motu.com/manuals/midi/MIDI_Timepiece_AV_USB_User_Guide_Mac.pdf
motu usb midi devices require Mac OS 8.6 or later

Motu Midi Express XT USB (2011 2nd USB version re release)

motu midi express 128 (june 2003)


8in 9 out 128 channels
Compatibility - Mac OS9, Mac OS X and Windows Me/2000/XP
USB-Bus-powered from USB connection. No additional power necessary.
http://web.archive.org/web/20030628145524/http://motu.com/english/hardware/128/body.html
emagic mt4 (2000)

DRIVERS HERE: http://web.archive.org/web/20020603152527/http://www.emagic.de/english/support/download/toolsmac.html
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct00/articles/emagic.htm]http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct00/articles/emagic.htm
Motu Fastlane USB (1999)

originally made to match the fruity imacs: http://web.archive.org/web/20000302053500/http://www.motu.com/english/hardware/fastlane_usb/index.html
http://cdn-data.motu.com/manuals/midi/FastLane-USB_User_Guide_Mac.pdf
http://www.motu.com/products/midi/fastlane_usb
motu micro express USB (2000)


4 independent MIDI IN
6 independent MIDI OUT (9 actual MIDI OUT ports)
96 MIDI channels
http://web.archive.org/web/20000816175726/http://www.motu.com/english/hardware/micro_usb/body.html
manual: http://cdn-data.motu.com/manuals/midi/MOTU_USB_MIDI_Manual.pdf
motu micro lite (2003)

5 in 5 out
http://web.archive.org/web/20030622034757/http://motu.com/english/hardware/lite/body.html
manual: http://cdn-data.motu.com/manuals/midi/MOTU_USB_MIDI_Manual.pdf
roland um-550 (2002)

roland um-880 (2002)


http://www.roland.com/products/en/UM-880/]http://www.roland.com/products/en/UM-880/
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug02/articles/edirolum880.asp
digidesign midi i/o (2002)

http://archive.digidesign.com/download/midiio/
http://akarchive.digidesign.com/support/docs/MIDI%20IO%20Guide.pdf
steinberg midex 3 (2001)

more info : http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar02/articles/steinbergmidex.asp
ftp://ftp.steinberg.net/Archives/Hardware/Midex_3/Mac/
roland um-1 (2000)

roland um-1s (2000)

roland um-2 (usb) (1999)
http://medias.audiofanzine.com/images/normal/roland-um-2-54388.jpg

roland um-2ex (2005)

roland um-3ex (2005)

driver: http://www.rolandus.com/support/eula/UM_3EX_Mac_OS_9.zip

roland um-4 (1999)

Steinberg Midex 8 (2001)

article: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may01/articles/steinbergmidex8.asp
driver: ftp://ftp.steinberg.net/Archives/Hardware/Midex_8/Mac/
manual: ftp://ftp.steinberg.net/Archives/Hardware/Midex_8/Midex8OperationManual.pdf
roland super mpu64 (usb)

motu midi devices supported by os 9
miti timepiece AV (usb/serial) 8ch
miti timepiece AV (serial/parallel) 8ch
micro express (usb/serial) 4/6ch
micro express (serial/parallel) 4/6ch
pocket express (serial/parallel) 2/4ch
fastlane (usb) 2ch
fastlane (serial) 1/3ch
midi express xt (usb/serial) 8ch
midi express xt (serial/parallel) 8ch
micro lite (usb) 5/5ch

Opcode midiport 96 (2000)

http://web.archive.org/web/20000914191329/http://www.opcode.com/products/midiport96/photo.shtml

Opcode Midiport 32 (2000)


connects via usb | 2 in 2 out usb midi device, powered by usb (i think)
http://web.archive.org/web/20000817003358/http://www.opcode.com/products/midiport32/
http://www.sonosphere.com/Doug/Archives/2002/12/04/opcodeMIDIPortDrivers
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Opcode-Systems-MidiPort-32-USB-Midi-Interface-Lot-of-6-/181293612306?pt=US_Computer_Recording_Interfaces&hash=item2a35f0fd12

Opcode Systems, a division of Gibson, released it's MIDIport 32 USB MIDI interface for both Macintosh and Windows. Opcode's USB MIDI interfaces correctly handle the "random reboot" problem that can occur when multiple USB MIDI devices are used simultaneously. Without this Opcode-designed feature, USB devices may unpredictably reconfigure after the computer restarts, causing attached MIDI peripherals to move or disappear. Opcode's unique solution consistently tracks each USB MIDI interface and all related MIDI connections boot after boot, Mac or Windows. The MIDIport 32 is a robust MIDI interface for iMacs, blue G3 Macintoshes and USB-equipped Windows 98 PCs. And Newer Driver's are available online.

"Opcode invested significant engineering resources to tame USB and provide a complete MIDI solution for computer musicians." said Tom Sherman, Opcode's VP of Engineering. "The MIDIport 32 has been specially engineered, taking advantage of USB's high-speed connection to provide professional-quality MIDI timing. In addition, MIDIport 32 makes installation on Windows truly simple -- no IRQs, DMAs or I/O addresses -- plug it in and it works."

MIDIport 32 connects any MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) device, such as a synthesizer or drum machine, to a computer, allowing recording and playback with music software. Multiple MIDIport interfaces can be used on a single computer. MIDIport 32 has 2 MIDI ins and outs for 32 MIDI channels. It includes status LEDs for MIDI activity and is powered over USB requiring no external power supply. The package includes a six-foot USB cable and a CDROM of software drivers. The MIDIport 32 works with any OMS compatible Macintosh application such as Opcode's Studio Vision Pro, Vision DSP(tm)and MAX(tm) or Digidesign's Pro Tools(tm) software, and any Windows 98 compatible music software such as Opcode's Musicshop.

"This is Opcode's fourth USB product release in four months," commented Sherman. "Our experience in USB audio and MIDI is unparalleled in the industry and the result is another top quality USB product." Opcode recently released three USB audio interfaces: DATport, SONICport and SONICport Optical. Opcode has also announced a rackmount line of USB MIDI interfaces including the MIDIport 64(tm), MIDIport 12(tm) and STUDIOport(tm), a hybrid MIDI and audio interface. The US Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price of the MIDIport 32 is $149.95.

http://web.archive.org/web/20030622033324/http://motu.com/english/hardware/128/body.html
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1994_articles/mar94/motuexpress.html]http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1994_articles/mar94/motuexpress.html
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov99/articles/applenotes.htm

yamaha ux-16

http://www.ebay.ca/sch/?_nkw=yamaha%20ux-16&clk_rvr_id=557844173809&mfe=search
theres surprisingly alot of these on ebay but all of them are around 50-55 dollars at least. too pricey

[Knez]

Don't forget these!

Midisport manuals: http://www.m-audio.ca/images/global/manuals/060614_MSSeries_UG_EN01.pdf
midisport ebay search: http://www.ebay.ca/sch/?_nkw=Midisport&clk_rvr_id=556589286110&mfe=search

M-Audio Midisport 1x1:

Driver: http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support.drivers&f=311
http://www.m-audio.ca/images/global/manuals/060614_MSSeries_UG_EN01.pdf

M-Audio Midisport 2x2:


Driver: http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support.drivers&f=311

M-audio midisport 2x4



M-Audio Midisport 4x4:

Driver: http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support.drivers&f=311

M-Audio Midisport 8x8/s:

Driver: http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support.drivers&f=392

[supernova777]

hi Knez; great to see someone else making contribution of info;) glad to see you..

re: your posts.
do you personally have any of those specific revisions of the midisports? because from the research ive done ive been informed that those models do not work.. the drivers for the midisport will only work with the first revisions of these items, (the blue+green looking ones and for the 1x1 the one with the clear/white plastic top) similar rules apply to the m-audio uno usb where they created newer versions that are not compatible with os9

[Knez]

I personally have the silver (like the 8x8 in the picture) version of the 4x4 and it works great on my MDD running 9.2.2. A friend of mine has the green 2x2 one and it works for him on his MDD.

That's all I can confirm

[supernova777]

I personally have the silver (like the 8x8 in the picture) version of the 4x4 and it works great on my MDD running 9.2.2. A friend of mine has the green 2x2 one and it works for him on his MDD.

That's all I can confirm

yeah i think theres possibly some issues with the anniversary edition ones, i would consider them to be osx+ only due to what ive read untill i can get a confirmation from someone else! the silver ones maybe are a revision 2 and perhaps the anniv were a 3rd revision....? i know that for sure with the uno cables there was 3 revisions 1 + 2 being ok, and 3 not..

refer to this thread:
http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?topic=163.msg334#msg334

[Knez]

I see. But as I wrote, I can confirm that the new Green/Black "anniversery" 2x2 interface works on OS9.
My friend uses this with his MDD without any problems at all.

[supernova777]

I see. But as I wrote, I can confirm that the new Green/Black "anniversery" 2x2 interface works on OS9.
My friend uses this with his MDD without any problems at all.

ok good to know!!!! i thought u meant the green/blue 2x2 older model!

[arjen_1]

I would like to add the Yamaha UX96. With TO TG/INST port for direct connection to any keyboard or tone module equipped with a TO HOST serial port. (E.g. Roland JV1010, Korg 05R/W, Korg PA80 etc.)
Kind Regards,
Arjen

[supernova777]

just realized that these devices can be daisy chained AND 19" rackmounted!! sitll using 1 usb port and each 2+3 port (not 1) is switchable to be a thru port (i thinki with source coming from the 1) and they have drivers all the way up to osx mavericks and i think roland edirol will continue driver support in the future!

http://www.futurestyle.org/archives/e/edirol-UMex-usb.htm
another page with more info in the edirol roland product line of lite usb interfaces




http://lib.roland.co.jp/products/en/brochures/res/62223158/4367_EDIROLguide_72.pdf
brochure

[Vlacac]

Hi!

 +1 device: Roland UM1-EX  working fine in os9.2.2 (Not found on the list)

 Official driver here:
http://www.roland.com/support/article/?q=downloads&p=UM-1EX

Regards,
Laszlo

[robegian]

I add to this list the Steinberg USB2MIDI, which is basically a MIDIsport 2x2 in a different case — and in fact it can use the MIDIsport 2x2's drivers (both for OS 9 and OS X).

[DaCat]

Roland / Edirol UM-2



Drivers/Support: http://roland.com/support/article/?q=downloads&p=UM-2

[ferridirection]

Midisport 2x2 USB (green and blue) works here.


I needed to mess around a bit with OMS - but works now.
If you need drivers - pm me.

[supernova777]

drivers for the evolution mk225c
http://macintoshgarden.org/apps/evolution-music-creator-v3-drivers
thanks to cyberish

[nsputnik]

I have the Midisport 8x8.  It is great since there are drivers that span from OS9 using OMS (USB on a G3) up until my current OSX 10.8.5.  I never was able to get the serial port to work under OS9 or 8.6.

[part12studios]

Hi everyone,

I'm using a G4 Sawtooth with OS9 + Digital Performer 3.  I was interested in getting one of these

http://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/arturia-beatstep

It appears to be a cost effective CV/Gate, but it has no hardware MIDI IN.. and relies on USB to be a proper In/Out device..  I never gave this another thought with the Amiga 1200 because it has no USB but my G4 does.

I'm not sure how universal the OS9 usb drivers are.  Obviously these days with OSX and Windows most devices can work without having to deal with custom drivers, but we're talking about OS9 and I haven't had to hook up many devices to my system so far. 

Thanks,
Caleb

[GaryN]

This looks like a long shot - a really long shot. I seriously doubt this will work properly…BUT, you never know…

There is no OS9 "MIDI over USB" driver. The standard class compliant protocols that exist today and are incorporated into your modern Macbook, iPad etc. did not exist back then. You are entirely dependent therefore, on FreeMIDI (since you're using DP) to recognize and communicate with the Beatstep over USB. The Mac USB Device Driver will "see" the Beatstep. It won't know what it is but it will probably pass data to it from DP if FreeMIDI recognizes the Beatstep as a MIDI device.

Without class compliant stuff in place, you're biggest worries are:
1. Will FreeMIDI even "see" this thing to begin with? And
2. Timing. Playing a sequence out from DP through the Beatstep to use its CV gates will be a breath-holding, fingers-crossed procedure.

The Beatstep is a modern device that is reliant on modern protocols to work - as I said, a long shot.

[part12studios]

Thanks for confirming that.  I figured as much, but was hoping maybe something about midi-usb devices ran deeper.. but I realize that midi-usb was a big revolution in later generation hardware along with other OS advancements.. 

Thanks!
Caleb

[mnemic]

Hi!

 +1 device: Roland UM1-EX  working fine in os9.2.2 (Not found on the list)

 Official driver here:
http://www.roland.com/support/article/?q=downloads&p=UM-1EX

Regards,
Laszlo

In my mac os 9 do not installs drivers...(((

[IIO]

if you are lucky, the beatstep might work halfway with some other driver by accident.

but otherwise no devoce driver = no OS9 support.

you will find similar devices from akai, edirol, m-audio... for OS9, unfortunately second hand prices are higher than getting a modern one new.

[part12studios]

interesting i'll keep that in mind.   i don't trust the need of the beatstep to work though.. feels too unique to be worth chancing it..  but i may still get one though if one comes along cheap enough again..  i don't have any CV reliant stuff other than experimenting with expression values like modulation and such on some effects.. ones that support expression pedals..  that are otherwise non-midi devices

Thanks!
Caleb

[knightshaft]

Drivers for the Motu FastLane can be found here:
http://www.motu.com/download/download_matching_downloads.html?product_id=16
OS 9 driver is the one titles 'FreeMIDI 1.48/USB MIDI Installer'

[teroyk]

Yamaha UX256 drivers found here:
http://download.yamaha.com/usb_midi/
Scroll down to the USB-MIDI Driver for Mac OS 8.6 - 9.2.2
It's universal driver version for Yamaha USB-devices, but it has also Patchbay control panel to UX256.
It should has also support for UX96, but not tested.

[Syntho]

I have a Roland UM-1 interface. The Roland page lists to the OS9 driver, but it's a tgz file, and on the inside the files seem to have lost their resource forks or whatever. The installer is just a blank icon and won't open.

[Protools5LEGuy]

That white icon is a extension. And works.

Just drop it on your extensions folder and Mac OS9 would not ask for a driver each time it boots

[Protools5LEGuy]

To kill the UM-1 family trouble.  There is no installer. It is just an extension to drop on extensions folder. Once you drop and reboot it stop asking to search for drivers on internet.

[macStuff]

To kill the UM-1 family trouble.

there is an installer and it can be downloaded here:
there is seperate installers/settings for freemidi vs oms
http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php/topic,3612.msg27363.html#msg27363

[macStuff]

I have the Midisport 8x8.  It is great since there are drivers that span from OS9 using OMS (USB on a G3) up until my current OSX 10.8.5.  I never was able to get the serial port to work under OS9 or 8.6.

hmm that doesnt sound right.. the midisport 8x8 should work as far as i know.. the original 8x8/s was released in 2001 i believe? or late 2000? MacOS9 was new + very much the standard mac os at the time... so it MUST WORK! perhaps they made different revisions of the Midisport 8x8 unit.. after about 2004? when all the support for os9 dwindled out of existance after hanging on for 2 years since the "steve jobs funeral"

are there any other midisport 8x8 owners out there?

ok wait im misunderstanding your post.. you said u never got it to work WITH THE SERIAL PORT
under mac os 9.... so i guess that means that it worked fine using the USB port? that doesnt make much logical sense tho either... using which mac model? were you using a modem-serial adapter?

[macStuff]

heres a "driver file" retrieved from the web archive for midiman.net
https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.midiman.net:80/drivers/*

to be used with oms 2.3.7 or higher? (also attached)

the file is dated (June 1999)

heres an even earlier version: (104)
https://web.archive.org/web/20000819132953/http://www.midiman.net:80/drivers/usbmac104.sea.hqx
this version contains the original 1.0 driver i think aswell as the 1.04 driver aswell as a "loader" file? and   something called a usb shim? i think these files are for use with OMS

[user2020]

I see. But as I wrote, I can confirm that the new Green/Black "anniversery" 2x2 interface works on OS9.
My friend uses this with his MDD without any problems at all.

I would be very interested in hearing how he got it to work, because it certainly doesn't work with my Anniversary Edition and the driver offered in the M-Audio driver thread.

[refinery]

I would be very interested in hearing how he got it to work, because it certainly doesn't work with my Anniversary Edition and the driver offered in the M-Audio driver thread.

I seem to recall the problem with the anniversary editions was that the hardware changed at some point during its production, and it was a dice roll if you got one that worked with OS9. the "surefire" way to get a working one was to find the grey/white/black version. Ive got one of those and its always worked great in both 9 and X.

[noah330]

I have a Digidesign MIDI IO (USB) that I replaced this week with the new MOTU 128 on my (OSX) PTHD Rig.

I can try the MIDI IO on OS9 as there are drivers available and post what I can learn.

The Opcode Studio 4 or Studio 5 (I would personally rather have 2 Studio 4s) are a great solution that I remember being rock solid back in the day.