No comment on the general criticisms, but jacks for MIDI is unfair, I think. I probably get more annoyed at connecting DIN MIDI with the mix of equipment I’ve got since most of it uses jacks, not DINs, especially the things I’d connect to a M-Vave. I’m resisting the temptation to buy one right now.

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EmX_3000 7 hours ago | parent | next [-]

It's not unfair. Looking at my home studio here I have nine different MIDI synths all set up, two require adapters, and for some reason one set of these sets of identical-looking adapters doesn't even work properly on one of my synths that needs 'em. The other takes both, one only likes one pair. It's a huge pain in the ass. Other issue is they come out easily, DIN has a very solid connection and it takes quite some force to remove the connector. Also I'm not entirely sure how good the isolation is on those little 1/8" jacks, proper DIN MIDI connectors are all opto-isolated so you don't get ground loops.

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ghostly_s 3 hours ago | parent [-]

Literally what are you talking about. the device is barely thick enough to fit a 3.5mm jack, DIN connectors were never on the table. frankly it's a bonus it has MIDI at all. who cares what your $2000 'proper' synths have.

	▲	EmX_3000 an hour ago \| parent [-]
		Plenty of thinner gear has real MIDI ports. I hate the adapters and USB MIDI. Put a lump on the back, that'd protect the knobs a bit too.

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InsidiousWombat 6 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

The ass part about jacks is that there is apparently 2 standards for midi over jack, with various gear manufacturers split over which one to use. You can make device accept either but it's pretty rare sight.

Connector wise, far superior to DIN midi

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marpstar 6 hours ago | parent [-]

There are actually 4 ways manufacturers do it. Something like the Disaster Area Designs[1] MIDI Box is a necessity once you start dealing with guitar effects pedals.

[1]: https://www.disasterareadesigns.com/shop/p/midi-box-4

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EmX_3000 an hour ago | parent | next [-]

That looks brilliant. I thought there were only 2 ways. I really think that MIDI device makers need to be actively bullied into providing DIN MIDI even if they want to stick USB or the 1/8" jacks on too for whatever reason.

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InsidiousWombat 5 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

I've had A/B solved by just schottky rectifier and low enough current optocoupler, but damn ,didn't knew there is even more to that mess

	▲	brudgers 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		I solder two TRS jacks back to back, squirt hot snot into the gap, and shrink some shrink tube around it…it’s about $0.20 of materials and five minutes work.

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embedding-shape 7 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

> but jacks for MIDI is unfair, I think.

Feels like studio setups are personal and individual enough that you can't say it's fair or unfair for someone else to care about specific features. Everything I own, including my own modular synth, has MIDI DIN ports on them, so I too look for that in new gear, but friend of mine too don't use MIDI for anything, obviously he doesn't look for that :)

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EmX_3000 6 hours ago | parent [-]

USB MIDI seems tempting, you can send a giant virtual MIDI cable snake down one wire, but the connector issue rears its head again. It'd be cool if there was a more robust standard for USB connectors. I bet industry, the military, scientists, professional audio people etc. would all love such a thing.

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brudgers 2 hours ago | parent [-]

USB Midi requires a host. So it kinda kills any Dawless vibe.

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EmX_3000 an hour ago | parent [-]

My newish MPC is a host and while it offers a lot of added functions over old MPCs, it works nearly identically for the MIDI sequencing workflow. In the old days I had an MPC 2000 and then 2000XL, I still own both. The newer MPC is both much cheaper, but it also allows me to get as many ins and outs as I can fill my rack and desk up with and more, all at once. You had to pay a lot extra to get the MPC3000 with 2 ins and 4 outs (IIRC), like $4-5k.

They really nailed it by offering more than the old MPCs but making it all completely optional to use, and keeping nearly the same workflow as the old ones. Only thing new MPCs can't do is bulk SYSEX dumps and vomits, I still keep an old Yamaha portable unit for that (runs on a bunch of AAs) with a modern USB floppy converter replacing the drive.

	▲	brudgers 7 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		[delayed]

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hdb2 6 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

> but jacks for MIDI is unfair

not the person you're replying to, but -

I would be ok w/ the 1/8" jacks if there weren't TWO STANDARDS to keep up with. madness!