Mac OS 9 Lives

Classic Mac OS Software => Digital Audio Workstations & MIDI Applications => Live! by Ableton => Topic started by: rezx0x on July 11, 2017, 11:28:13 AM

Title: Mac OS 9 supported USB MIDI Controller list?
Post by: rezx0x on July 11, 2017, 11:28:13 AM
YO! Is there a list of USB MIDI controllers that have drivers for Mac OS 9? Is the Evolution UC-33e the only one with drivers? What about the Akai/ Ableton APC20? Would it be possible to update USB Overdrive to accept other "standard" USB MIDI contollers. For instance, when I plug in my Arturia Beatstep or my Samson Graphite MF8, a window pops up asking me if I want to check the Internet for a driver. I guess I'm not sure why I need a driver when these are class-compliant USB devices?
Title: Re: Mac OS 9 supported USB MIDI Controller list?
Post by: IIO on July 11, 2017, 11:54:55 AM
a generic usb midi or audio solution, such as available for windows, does not exist for OS9.

with akai you might have luck, some of the older, "first generation" controllers do still support OS9, i have an mpd-16 for example which comes with a device driver and programmer app. there should also be some products from edirol, novation, which were also available at OS9 times.

to be honest i dont see any advantage of usb-midi, i am happy with doepfer & co here, it is easier to manage MIDI DIN ports in OMS when you need some flexibility - and it does not cause the usual running-out-of-ports problem which you always have with usb and firewire.
Title: Re: Mac OS 9 supported USB MIDI Controller list?
Post by: macStuff on November 06, 2017, 05:45:02 PM
YO! Is there a list of USB MIDI controllers that have drivers for Mac OS 9?

list:
http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?topic=301.0

Title: Re: Mac OS 9 supported USB MIDI Controller list?
Post by: GaryN on November 06, 2017, 07:14:11 PM
More here: http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php/topic,280.msg23227.html#msg23227
Title: Re: Mac OS 9 supported USB MIDI Controller list?
Post by: IIO on November 06, 2017, 08:50:33 PM

as for the beatstep, dont forget that anything with 16 dials and/or 16 pads  cannot be a "normal" usb controller.

it is an usb midi device and therefore you would need an OMS driver for it to work.

usb overdrive will run the latest mouse or joystick, but never a midi controller.
Title: Re: Mac OS 9 supported USB MIDI Controller list?
Post by: macStuff on November 07, 2017, 10:52:42 AM
Read 26296 times
 :o
holy ****
Title: Re: Mac OS 9 supported USB MIDI Controller list?
Post by: Rosetta on July 13, 2021, 10:01:14 PM
Since it appears that this thread has gone "beyond" just an Ableton discussion at this point, I'll drop some info for anyone still stumbling upon it.

Using a USB class compliant AKA modern AKA non-OS 9 compatible MIDI controller with OS 9 is totally possible!

While you'll need a MIDI interface with OS 9 drivers no matter what, there's a healthy number of them. And many of them are not that expensive. Look through this board (http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php/board,42.0.html).

But it's this device here...

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MZY59B7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

...that's the key to it all.

I use it to connect an M-Audio Oxygen 49 MK IV (purchased in 2016) to a MIDI input on a TASCAM interface connected to my OS 9 G4.

Works absolutely brilliantly. In fact I was very surprised. Can't vouch for sequencing timing, live performance and super crucial things of that sort--I don't use it for that--but just to casually interface a modern controller into your OS 9 setup? Perfect, very reliable, and I haven't had any issues with it.

May seem a bit pricey but it's totally worth it--the "name brand" variant of this product (can't recall the name at the moment) goes for several hundred US dollars(!)
Title: Re: Mac OS 9 supported USB MIDI Controller list?
Post by: IIO on July 14, 2021, 09:43:08 AM
thanks for the report, that is interesting.

class compliant midi is even more unsupported than class compliant audio, yet there seems to be working devices.

but it is a pure controller type of device, right?
Title: Re: Mac OS 9 supported USB MIDI Controller list?
Post by: Rosetta on July 14, 2021, 10:26:51 AM
thanks for the report, that is interesting.

class compliant midi is even more unsupported than class compliant audio, yet there seems to be working devices.

but it is a pure controller type of device, right?

I assume it works with any USB MIDI device, as its only purpose is to allow USB MIDI devices to work with devices that only have real MIDI plugs. This thing must have a computer inside with class compliant drivers inside to enable this interfacing.

Someone who wants to use their existing controller is just the most common/practical motivation for someone on OS 9 to get one in my opinion, as that's why I did, but surely it would work with mostly anything.
Title: Re: Mac OS 9 supported USB MIDI Controller list?
Post by: IIO on July 19, 2021, 03:02:51 PM
the main issue with most modern controller devices is that you can only program them using their respective applications. and these needed an USB driver. (if they existed for OS9.)

the midi output itself might still work for most, but as soon as you want to switch to anoter channel or controller number you are lost.

regarding use cases: while i am not a big fan of USB cables and USB midi, today´s controllers are of course offering much more bang for the bucks.