Why don't you have a midi interface?

[popmann]

With so many people posting about issues with the class compliant USB connection...and a recent question else where if someone can use "a keyboard without USB to play soft synths", I have to ask--why would you have a production computer and a top of the line workstation keyboard, and not have a midi IO? If you just need 1x1, almost any interface has that...and if you need more, did your old one die and you're now trying to make it work with multiple USB device interfaces? Do you think there's some tech advantage to having the "device as interface"?

I've downsized over the years. I have an old g3 with a MTPav (serial)...and still have the old MIDI Express for that system, too, if I need more IO. I currently only have/need a MOTU 5x5, plus the one on my Echo card runs MTC sync, since it's driving the pc sample clock...I digress...it was like $100...maybe a bit more. I think the big mtp was $500 in the day...I only replaced it because Windows finally moved on--needed a 64bit driver and there wasn't one.

So, how is it that so many people have professional keyboards...and computer production machines...but, never bought a midi interface?

[jeebustrain]

I totally agree. I used to have an M-Audio 8x8 and downsized a few years ago to a 4x4. It "just works" and is so much more flexible than having to deal with midi drivers. Plus, on my desktop, I have the extra 1x1 interface built into my Delta 1010. Even though I do use the usb midi on the Kronos (no problems whatsoever), I always have the interfaces (and a few cables) lying around just in case.

[ScoobyDoo555]

Yeh, I'm running an Emagic Unitor 8 mk2...... great bit of kit and just works.

That said, my toys that have USB, such as the V-Synth XT, Kaoss Pad and Kronos, will be connected to my system with USB just for the connectivity.

Once they've all got software to justify it

Dan

[MRedZac]

With so many people posting about issues with the class compliant USB connection...and a recent question else where if someone can use "a keyboard without USB to play soft synths", I have to ask--why would you have a production computer and a top of the line workstation keyboard, and not have a midi IO? If you just need 1x1, almost any interface has that...and if you need more, did your old one die and you're now trying to make it work with multiple USB device interfaces? Do you think there's some tech advantage to having the "device as interface"?

I've downsized over the years. I have an old g3 with a MTPav (serial)...and still have the old MIDI Express for that system, too, if I need more IO. I currently only have/need a MOTU 5x5, plus the one on my Echo card runs MTC sync, since it's driving the pc sample clock...I digress...it was like $100...maybe a bit more. I think the big mtp was $500 in the day...I only replaced it because Windows finally moved on--needed a 64bit driver and there wasn't one.

So, how is it that so many people have professional keyboards...and computer production machines...but, never bought a midi interface?

Hey Popmann,

I´m just wondering, what might be the sense of your post here in a Korg Forum for the Korg Kronos ?

I suppose, that most of us here have midi interfaces, some like me for sure, even having more midi connectors to computer than ever needed at all and if not, everybody is able to buy just a small interface if needed...

But I think that the main problem is, that you don´t see, that Kronos has to be connected by USB to computer, once the Editors for it are out on the market and you want to use these... It will not work with a simple midi connection at all... So of course, people have to make sure, their USB connection is working well...

Cheers
Garfield

[ScoobyDoo555]

Sorry Garfield, but you've got this wrong.

Kronos works VERY well indeed without USB and will continue to do so.
You are correct in the use of the editor and a USB connection, but I feel your comment could be perceived as quite misleading to say that it won't work at all.

It will work fine - remember the time prior to USB where MIDI kit worked just fine with computers?

The hallowed editor will arrive, but life will continue without it, and people will make music with Kronos (and edit the sounds) regardless of this elusive software.


Oh and for the record, my 128 channel interface is full
My next load of connections will be thru USB, but purely because I have no MIDI ports left

Not having a go, but I felt I had to correct misinformation.

Dan

But I think that the main problem is, that you don´t see, that Kronos has to be connected by USB to computer, once the Editors for it are out on the market and you want to use these... It will not work with a simple midi connection at all... So of course, people have to make sure, their USB connection is working well...

Cheers
Garfield

[Ojustaboo]

How do midi interfaces work?

I presumed your Kronos would need a Midi interface as in the 5 pin din thing to work with any sort of midi interface if your not using USB?

[popmann]

With so many people posting about issues with the class compliant USB connection...and a recent question else where if someone can use "a keyboard without USB to play soft synths", I have to ask--why would you have a production computer and a top of the line workstation keyboard, and not have a midi IO? If you just need 1x1, almost any interface has that...and if you need more, did your old one die and you're now trying to make it work with multiple USB device interfaces? Do you think there's some tech advantage to having the "device as interface"?

I've downsized over the years. I have an old g3 with a MTPav (serial)...and still have the old MIDI Express for that system, too, if I need more IO. I currently only have/need a MOTU 5x5, plus the one on my Echo card runs MTC sync, since it's driving the pc sample clock...I digress...it was like $100...maybe a bit more. I think the big mtp was $500 in the day...I only replaced it because Windows finally moved on--needed a 64bit driver and there wasn't one.

So, how is it that so many people have professional keyboards...and computer production machines...but, never bought a midi interface?

Hey Popmann,

I´m just wondering, what might be the sense of your post here in a Korg Forum for the Korg Kronos ?

But I think that the main problem is, that you don´t see, that Kronos has to be connected by USB to computer, once the Editors for it are out on the market and you want to use these... It will not work with a simple midi connection at all... So of course, people have to make sure, their USB connection is working well...

Cheers
Garfield

Because I'm curious why everyone cares. And, no, actually you will not likely have to have the SAME USB function for an editor. Same cable. Different driver. All these people are using is the class compliant midi interface driver, which is a problem with their computer. If that is what the editor used, it actually WOULD be useable without the USB connection.

Plus, that's actually when you would worry about getting it to work. It's just an odd phenom to me...I was wondering how related it is to the young kids not getting that a "keyboard without USB" is actually just a keyboard with a built in 1x1 midi interface.

[popmann]

How do midi interfaces work?

I presumed your Kronos would need a Midi interface as in the 5 pin din thing to work with any sort of midi interface if your not using USB?

Right...the ones that work with just about 5 million devices made over 30 years...instead of the one that works with the keyboard you plug in only.

I don't think people understand that win/Mac just sees it as a midi IO. On the low end of the budgetary scale, I get it...that's some money you don't have to spend...but, once you're buying $3k keyboards and presumably full Midi/daw suites-you play midi keyboards, why would you not have a midi interface? Id venture a lot of these people DO have the one on their audio interface or computer sound card...and are still wasting time trying to solve issues related to the Kronos's connection.

[spo elman]

hmm,
just use a usb cable or
midi to usb cable..

what's the problem?

[Ojustaboo]

How do midi interfaces work?

I presumed your Kronos would need a Midi interface as in the 5 pin din thing to work with any sort of midi interface if your not using USB?

Right...the ones that work with just about 5 million devices made over 30 years...instead of the one that works with the keyboard you plug in only.

I don't think people understand that win/Mac just sees it as a midi IO. On the low end of the budgetary scale, I get it...that's some money you don't have to spend...but, once you're buying $3k keyboards and presumably full Midi/daw suites-you play midi keyboards, why would you not have a midi interface? Id venture a lot of these people DO have the one on their audio interface or computer sound card...and are still wasting time trying to solve issues related to the Kronos's connection.

Sorry, don't mean to come across as thick, I genuinely don't understand. Have just read an online guide to MIDI where it said what I thought

"There are 3 kinds of MIDI connection - MIDI In, MIDI Out and MIDI Thru. Physically they are round, 5 pin female sockets, identical to the old DIN audio format, but wired differently"

I understand how the PC/MAC sees the data but it still has to get the data, what benefit is there in getting it through a separate midi interface rather than over USB?

I own a Korg M3 that only has USB midi and not a dedicated midi interface, I also have a Komplete Audio 6 interface that has the 5 pin midi interface.

The only way I can connect my keyboard to this interface would be by using a USB to midi type cable.

What would I gain by doing this, and if I did do this, would my PC M3 editor still work?

Edit: spelling

[jeremykeys]

I guess I'm one of the few that doesn't have or need a MIDI interface yet. Of course I'm also not using a computer in my system. I have an old QX-3 sequencer for, well, the things that it does, and a desk top recorder for audio.
It all works fine. Eventually I will be changing over to a computer based system but until I ac6tually need one I really don't see the point.
I think a lot of it depends on the kind of production and music you are doing in your studio.
When I do find that I need one I will certainly be asking here to find out what is most recommended.

Happy New Year to you all!

[X-Trade]

If you are sequencing many instruments or doing patch editing, you will find benefits to using the USB connection.

Based on experience with other korg products, the USB-MIDI is something like up to 10x faster than a conventional MIDI connection.

This makes transferring patches, as well as keeping tight timing on complex sequences from DAW, much more practical over USB than over conventional MIDI.

[JuneauUnderground]

I own a Korg M3 that only has USB midi and not a dedicated midi interface

Huh! . . . Really?

[SanderXpander]

How do midi interfaces work?

I presumed your Kronos would need a Midi interface as in the 5 pin din thing to work with any sort of midi interface if your not using USB?

Right...the ones that work with just about 5 million devices made over 30 years...instead of the one that works with the keyboard you plug in only.

I don't think people understand that win/Mac just sees it as a midi IO. On the low end of the budgetary scale, I get it...that's some money you don't have to spend...but, once you're buying $3k keyboards and presumably full Midi/daw suites-you play midi keyboards, why would you not have a midi interface? Id venture a lot of these people DO have the one on their audio interface or computer sound card...and are still wasting time trying to solve issues related to the Kronos's connection.

Sorry, don't mean to come across as thick, I genuinely don't understand. Have just read an online guide to MIDI where it said what I thought

"There are 3 kinds of MIDI connection - MIDI In, MIDI Out and MIDI Thru. Physically they are round, 5 pin female sockets, identical to the old DIN audio format, but wired differently"

I understand how the PC/MAC sees the data but it still has to get the data, what benefit is there in getting it through a separate midi interface rather than over USB?

I own a Korg M3 that only has USB midi and not a dedicated midi interface, I also have a Komplete Audio 6 interface that has the 5 pin midi interface.

The only way I can connect my keyboard to this interface would be by using a USB to midi type cable.

What would I gain by doing this, and if I did do this, would my PC M3 editor still work?

Edit: spelling

Maybe I'm misunderstanding something, but the M3 definitely has regular midi ports. Did something happen to them? You could hook these up with regular midi cables to your Komplete Audio 6. What you would "gain" is not having to deal with the M3 USB midi driver. If it's working fine for you, there's no reason, but the OP started this thread specifically because people ARE having trouble with their K USB midi drivers and are still not switching to regular midi.

[Ojustaboo]

Hehe, I'm being an idiot (nothing new there), keyboards up against a wall and for some reason I had convinced myself there wasn't any.

Just had a look, sure enough they are there.

Thanks Sanderexpander and X-Trade, I understand now. I thought the Op was saying we should be using Midi instead of Midi over USB. I wondered what the advantage was.

I understand now that its for people having a problem with their USB midi, and that as mine is working, it is faster doing it the way I am.

I'll get my coat