Which USB Midi interfaces work for Korg M1?

[Plithman]

I've been having a lot of problems uploading patches to my Korg M1 using Midi-ox. After hours of searching on internet and changing settings I came to the conclusion that my USB MIDI interface isn't good enough. It's a cheap one that uses standard Microsoft drivers which I have learnt that they do not work with the Korg M1.

I have heard that an interface that works is the Edirol UM-1EX but that appears to be discontinued now. Does anybody know of any other interfaces that will work with the Korg M1? (preferably not too expensive)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Carlb1058]

I've been having a lot of problems uploading patches to my Korg M1 using Midi-ox. After hours of searching on internet and changing settings I came to the conclusion that my USB MIDI interface isn't good enough. It's a cheap one that uses standard Microsoft drivers which I have learnt that they do not work with the Korg M1.

I have heard that an interface that works is the Edirol UM-1EX but that appears to be discontinued now. Does anybody know of any other interfaces that will work with the Korg M1? (preferably not too expensive)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I can't comment on the Edirol - you do see similar upgraded versions from Roland on cheesybay, one thing I will say is don't waste your money on an E-MU (XMidi 2X2). I bought one and now use it as a paper weight. I found the easiest connection was straight in to the MPU-401 on the back of an old PC - that's providing you have an MPU-401 to Midi.

Cheers
Carl

[synthjoe]

I have a cheapo IF that originally gave me a lot og grief with SYSEX. After some testing it turned out that the interface electronics were perfectly OK, but the wires in its cables were the lowest quality I've ever came to see. The conductors were broke ecah few inches when I stripped the isolation (as the continuity tester indicated problems in the cable), only after a few days of use. Note on/off worked mostly ok, but loopback testing and most serious MIDI transfers failed. Replaced all cables (USB and both MIDI) and I use this $5 interface with Microsoft native drivers without any problem since.

However, Carl's advice is probably the safest way to go, if you have the connector and cable available.

[Plithman]

Thanks for the help. Unfortunately I only have a newish PC and I found that MPU-401 is no longer supported by Windows.

I have spent hours apon hours researching this, and I found from the following forum threads that there are known problems with cheap interfaces using MS drivers:

http://www.midiox.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB ... 1226576558

http://www.midiox.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB ... 1206643557

I've spent hours changing settings and buffer sizes as recemonded by others but with no success. I'm at a bit of a loss as what to do next. The only thing I can think of is to use a known working USB interface for Sysex files. Can anybody please help me? I just need to know the name of an interface that will work.

[synthjoe]

MPU-401 was referenced here as the D-sub 15 pin joystick connector - a lot of soundcards have that connector.

I wouldn't dare to name one single brand here, something that works for one does not seem to work for others. So the best I can suggest is to go out and get a fistful of different makes of those cheap ones and or more will work, for sure...

Currently I'm using a 'Mistar Midilink' branded interface with little to no problem, cost me $5 or $10 about 5-8 years ago. I doubt you'll find one like this, it seems to be one of those noname cheapo things.

[Carlb1058]

Thanks for the help. Unfortunately I only have a newish PC and I found that MPU-401 is no longer supported by Windows.

As Synthjoe said, just grab a PCI soundcard, plenty on eBay - Sound Blaster Live, Audigy all had the 15 pin D-Sub and you can get them from 5 bux and up or you can be terribly brave and buy a new CMedia and wrestle with drivers for $15 which is what I just did but since then I've also found a socket 775 motherboard that takes DDR2 and DDR3 ram which also has a floppy drive connector so I can when the motherboard arrives put the old PC back in the shed and have a PC with speed AND a floppy drive

And just on the MPU-401 if you are running Windows 7 or 8 that may well be the case, wouldn't have a clue, don't use either but I seriously doubt it as it is fuly supported under Vista as that is the version I'm using - although I'm tempted to go back to XP when I do the rebuild as I don't need all of vista's bells and whistles on a machine tht is used mainly to shift Sysex files etc.

If anyone wants the model number for that modern(ish) motherboard with the floppy connector let me know.

Cheers
Carl

[Twisted Lemons]

I use a Roland UM-ONE midi interface. It came with it's own driver and works great. I never have any problems with it and I also use Midi-OX. I paid about $40 for it at my local music store. I picked this one up a couple of months ago so it still should be current.

TW

[Plithman]

I use a Roland UM-ONE midi interface. It came with it's own driver and works great. I never have any problems with it and I also use Midi-OX. I paid about $40 for it at my local music store. I picked this one up a couple of months ago so it still should be current.

TW

Ok, thanks for that. I've ordered a M-Audio Midisport UNO from Ebay. I'll see how I get on with that first. It also comes with it's own drivers so I'm hoping it will be ok.