MIDI Interfaces

Derek Johnson tries out a new multi-port USB MIDI interface that's also designed to allow connection of serial-port gear.

Paul White tries out Emagic's compact two input, four output USB MIDI interface.

Colin Owen rediscovers the joys of Atari-tight timing on his blue G3 Mac with Emagic's AMT8 interface, featuring their new Active MIDI Transmission.

128 MIDI channels would have seemed like complete overkill ten years ago, but today's multitimbral voice modules can use them up at an alarming rate. Martin Russ checks out an eight-port patchbay/interface from Opcode.

Although it's less than a year old, Opcode's highly useful Studio 64X multi-port MIDI interface and patchbay has been redesigned to incorporate even more features (including a wide range of synchronisation facilities), and has re-emerged from its refit as the Studio 64XTC.

As well as providing eight independent sets of MIDI connections, the Unitor 8 features comprehensive synchronisation facilities and even supports video timecode. Paul White explores the Ins and Outs of it.

As PC musicians expand into the world of MIDI outside their computer casing, they'll find a few more MIDI outputs never go amiss. Martin Walker enters a parallel dimension.

When it's time for your Mac to start talking MIDI to the rest of your rig, the technology, like the truth, is out there. But should you spend a few pounds, or a few hundred? Mike Collins has the information you need.

The fist release in Opcode's new studio 'X' series is designed to help you sort out your MIDI studio, whether it's based around a Mac or PC. Martin Russ finds out whether it has the right connections.

Mike Collins studio-tests a versatile new interface, which works with both Mac and PC and provides professional-level functionality at the right price.

MIDI interfaces come in many different shapes and sizes, with most slotting inside the PC. External interfaces, however, such as those made by MOTU, can offer certain advantages, as Martin Walker discovers.

PC users get a look in on the sophisticated MIDI add-on market with a multi-port, sync-generating unit from Mark of the Unicorn. Steven Helstrip catches the MIDI Express.