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[James Perrett]

That is what Ifind worrying. I’m not entirely convinced of the mechanical reliability of the USB socket verses the good old DIN variety. On consumer goods that’s fine but on professional grade products that are used in the touring industry I don’t know how long the sockets will last with repeated plugging/unplugging - often night after night. I guess the design gurus would have factored this in to the pricing?

Neither the standard DIN socket or the standard USB socket are professional grade connectors. You can buy metal shell locking DIN connectors which would be better but I don't think that anyone is using them for MIDI at the moment.

[Folderol]

That is what Ifind worrying. I’m not entirely convinced of the mechanical reliability of the USB socket verses the good old DIN variety. On consumer goods that’s fine but on professional grade products that are used in the touring industry I don’t know how long the sockets will last with repeated plugging/unplugging - often night after night. I guess the design gurus would have factored this in to the pricing?

Neither the standard DIN socket or the standard USB socket are professional grade connectors. You can buy metal shell locking DIN connectors which would be better but I don't think that anyone is using them for MIDI at the moment.

You can also get heavy duty plugs without the locking ring that will still fit a standard DIN socket. Hurts a lot when you tread on them, but the plug doesn't mind!

[ef37a]

That is what Ifind worrying. I’m not entirely convinced of the mechanical reliability of the USB socket verses the good old DIN variety. On consumer goods that’s fine but on professional grade products that are used in the touring industry I don’t know how long the sockets will last with repeated plugging/unplugging - often night after night. I guess the design gurus would have factored this in to the pricing?

Neither the standard DIN socket or the standard USB socket are professional grade connectors. You can buy metal shell locking DIN connectors which would be better but I don't think that anyone is using them for MIDI at the moment.

You can also get heavy duty plugs without the locking ring that will still fit a standard DIN socket. Hurts a lot when you tread on them, but the plug doesn't mind!

I understand MIDI was originally on XLR-3? I am surprised that the standard audio DIN was taken up? Why not the much less common "B" type with its 240dgr pin index? Much easier to solder.

I have a couple of old all metal RS DIN MIDI cables (made up from FTP CAT cable!) They are indeed Doc Marten proof but all DIN plugs suffer from a poor cable clamp system, though heat shrink helps.

Dave.

[Ez]

I’ll wait with ‘baited breath’ for the future demise of Midi - much the same as the good old PSTN network and copper telephone wires. In the mean time as a communications protocol it meets my requirements.

Thanks for all your input. Nailed the extras outputs query

Eric