Midi Interface recommendation?

[ric stave]

Hi - I'm using Logic Express 9 on an iMac running Lion - I also have a decent sized collection of hardware synth gear that I want to use the audio from, controlled by the sequencer in Logic.

Here's my synth rig:

Roland X6
Korg Triton
Alesis Micron
Roland XR Rack
Korg Wavestation SR Rack
Oberheim Matrix 1000 Rack

I also have a Midi patching unit (Digital Music Corp MX-8)

For an audio interface to the Mac/Logic I am using an Apogee Duet (2 channels input audio)

What would you recommend as a USB/Midi interface to use with this setup?

Thanks

~ric

[seamonkey]

Roland U.S. - UM-3G: USB MIDI Interface

Overview | iConnectivity

[house-eey]

I use the ESI M8U XL without any glitches on Win7.
It should be OK with OSX too.

ESI - M8U XL

[cliffburtonfan]

Can someone please explain to me why you need a MIDI interface if you can buy a MIDI to USB lead for very little money?

From what I can gather, MIDI is just a signal which is sent to the computer. It is either ON of OFF, so why would the quality of MIDI interface matter as long as there is something to transport the signal? Am I totally getting the wrong end of things when it comes to MIDI here (I'm new to recording!)?

[silky smoove]

Actually, MIDI is far more than on or off. It is any value between 0 and 127 if you're talking about MIDI notes. Once you factor in control messages, poly pressure, etc., it can get surprisingly complex.

As to your question; I use a MIDI to USB cable with a small interface built into the cable. Cost $29 on Amazon and works flawlessly. I suppose of you wanted more complex routing of a MIDI signal, the ability to handle multiple ins/outs at once, etc. a more elaborate interface would make sense. Since Ric is describing a synth rig, I think this is probably the case.

Ric: Hope you're enjoying my old Duet!

[seamonkey]

Yeah, some of the new Midi controllers do not have 5 pin Din plugs, they're just USB
Sometimes you want to plug a new USB controller into an older piece of gear with a 5 pin and just play.
Or plug it into an iPod
That's why I'm looking at the
Specifications | iConnectivity
It will let you interface old with new and mix and match.

[ric stave]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys - I've got to look into these.

@CBF - if it were just one or two synths, a converter cable would work fine, but with the number of synths (and possible channels) I have in my rig, I think I'm leaning towards a box that will give me separate in/outs to each synth. The Fantom and the Triton can each run 16 different channels at once, the Korg and Roland modules can do the same, if I can do 64+ separate channels, it'll just open more doors....

@ss - thanks, haven't really had much time to mess with it yet, but trying to get this setup together so I can start diving in over Christmas break!