MIDI Time Piece?

The forum for petitions, theoretical discussion, gripes, or other off topic discussion.

Moderator: James Steele

Forum rules
The forum for petitions, theoretical discussion, gripes, or other matters outside deemed outside the scope of helping users make optimal use of MOTU hardware and software. Posts in other forums may be moved here at the moderators discretion. No politics or religion!!
User avatar
Shooshie
Posts: 19820
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:01 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Location: Dallas
Contact:

MIDI Time Piece?

Post by Shooshie »

I just noticed on the MOTU website that the MIDI Time Piece is no longer there. When did they stop making that?

Is the MIDI Express XT the official replacement for it? Does it do everything the MTP did?

Seems like the MIDI Time Piece was the premier MIDI interface. I've got two: one serial from years and years ago, the other one USB from about 2001 or so. (MTP-AV) They chain together to make a 16 channel device.

I wonder if the MIDI Express XT really replaces it.

Shooshie
|l| OS X 10.12.6 |l| DP 10.0 |l| 2.4 GHz 12-Core MacPro Mid-2012 |l| 40GB RAM |l| Mach5.3 |l| Waves 9.x |l| Altiverb |l| Ivory 2 New York Steinway |l| Wallander WIVI 2.30 Winds, Brass, Saxes |l| Garritan Aria |l| VSL 5.3.1 and VSL Pro 2.3.1 |l| Yamaha WX-5 MIDI Wind Controller |l| Roland FC-300 |l|
User avatar
Michael Canavan
Posts: 3856
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 10:01 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Location: seattle

Re: MIDI Time Piece?

Post by Michael Canavan »

I think MOTU just wasn't selling enough of them. I have a MTP/AV as well.
The Express does all the basic things, I don't know if it can be used stand alone, but it's been a while since they stopped making the MTPA?V hasn't it? I'm glad I have it, it has the unicorn on it! :)
M2 Studio Ultra, RME Babyface FS, Slate Raven Mti2, NI SL88 MKII, Linnstrument, MPC Live II, Launchpad MK3. Hundreds of plug ins.
User avatar
Gravity Jim
Posts: 2006
Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:55 am
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Location: Santa Rosa, CA

Re: MIDI Time Piece?

Post by Gravity Jim »

Yep, my USB version proudly wears the Unicorn.
Jim Bordner

MacPro 5,1 (3.33Ghz 12-core), 32g RAM, OS X 10.14.6 • MOTU DP 10.11 • Logic Pro X 10.2.5 • Waves Platinum, UAD-2, Slate Digital, Komplete, Omnisphere 2, LASS, CineSamples, Chipsounds, V Collection 5[color]
User avatar
Shooshie
Posts: 19820
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:01 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Location: Dallas
Contact:

Re: MIDI Time Piece?

Post by Shooshie »

I actually have 3 unicorns in my rack. (ok, no "that's what she said" jokes; this isn't The Office)

So far my MIDI Time Piece-AV's are both working without flaw, but I was just looking at what to replace them with when/if I happen to outlive them. Looks like the MIDI Express XT is the model that does it all like the MTP-AV. It's a lot cheaper, though, so what did they leave out?

Shoosh
|l| OS X 10.12.6 |l| DP 10.0 |l| 2.4 GHz 12-Core MacPro Mid-2012 |l| 40GB RAM |l| Mach5.3 |l| Waves 9.x |l| Altiverb |l| Ivory 2 New York Steinway |l| Wallander WIVI 2.30 Winds, Brass, Saxes |l| Garritan Aria |l| VSL 5.3.1 and VSL Pro 2.3.1 |l| Yamaha WX-5 MIDI Wind Controller |l| Roland FC-300 |l|
User avatar
Prime Mover
Posts: 2449
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:19 am
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska

Re: MIDI Time Piece?

Post by Prime Mover »

I haven't seen very much of them around these days... I was wondering if they'd been rendered obsolete by software or hardware improvements?
— Eric Barker
Eel House

"All's fair in love, war, and the recording studio"
MacPro 1,1 2Ghz 7GB RAM OS 10.6.8 | MacBook Pro 13" i5 1.8Ghz 16GB RAM OS 10.8.2
DP7/8 | Komplete 7 | B4II | Korg Legacy Analog | Waves v9 (various) | Valhalla Room | EWQLSO Gold
MOTU 828mkII | MOTU 8pre | Presonus BlueTube | FMR RNC
Themes: Round is Right and Alloy
User avatar
mikehalloran
Posts: 16228
Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:08 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Location: Sillie Con Valley

Re: MIDI Time Piece?

Post by mikehalloran »

There's a new SMPTE frame rate that the MTP/AV USB doesn't support. I guess it never will now.

MIDI Express XT Overview

Support for 23.976 time code*
Update ClockWorks software

I updated mine with the new intel compatible chip set and a battery last year. I tested it but, otherwise, haven't used it in 9 years or more.
DP 11.34; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sequoia 15.4, USB4 8TB externals, Neumann MT48, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3, Zoom F3 & UAC 232 32bit float recorder & interface; 2012 MBPs (x2) Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 NE Pro, Toast 20 Pro
User avatar
mikehalloran
Posts: 16228
Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:08 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Location: Sillie Con Valley

Re: MIDI Time Piece?

Post by mikehalloran »

Shooshie wrote: Is the MIDI Express XT the official replacement for it? Does it do everything the MTP did?

Seems like the MIDI Time Piece was the premier MIDI interface. I've got two: one serial from years and years ago, the other one USB from about 2001 or so. (MTP-AV) They chain together to make a 16 channel device.

I wonder if the MIDI Express XT really replaces it.
Well, the XT certainly doesn't do that.
DP 11.34; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sequoia 15.4, USB4 8TB externals, Neumann MT48, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3, Zoom F3 & UAC 232 32bit float recorder & interface; 2012 MBPs (x2) Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 NE Pro, Toast 20 Pro
User avatar
bkshepard
Posts: 1096
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 10:01 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Location: Setúbal, Portugal
Contact:

Re: MIDI Time Piece?

Post by bkshepard »

I had a conversation with one of the MOTU powers-that-be on this very subject a couple of months ago. The MTP is now a "legacy" device and the Express-XT is its replacement.
-Brian

Mac M1 Ultra 20-core, OS 14.6.1, 128 GB RAM, DP 11.3.2, UA Apollo x6
User avatar
joelfriedman
Posts: 327
Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2007 3:56 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Location: Washington, DC
Contact:

Re: MIDI Time Piece?

Post by joelfriedman »

Jeez, we're moving across country and I just donated my old mtp-av. -:( i don't have time to sell it, too much going on, and I haven't used it since my g4-1224 setup...
Joel Friedman
Web: http://www.joelfriedman.com
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/joelfriedman
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/joel-friedman/1b/7b2/8a9

2023 Mac Studio Ultra M2, 4TB/128GB (external 4TB sample drive), OS 15.3.4. MOTU UltraLite MK4, Nektar Impact LX88
DP 11.3.4, MachFive 3.2, MX4 2.2, Ethno 2.01, Komplete 15 Ultimate (don't ask...), Sibelius Ultimate, Symphobia v. 1.06, assorted libraries... Maybe Dorico

MacBook Pro M1 16 GB RAM OS 15.3.1
dewdman42
Posts: 1229
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2005 10:01 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Contact:

Re: MIDI Time Piece?

Post by dewdman42 »

I need to pick up an 8 port interface right now and just trying to decide whether to get the newer XT or a used MTP/AV on ebay, they can be had for not a lot now. I don't need half the bells and whistles on that thing anyway....just want the sub-millisecond accuracy, as little usb latency as possible.... well the ability to setup different MIDI routings on a whim would be nice too so I can doodle around with my rack synths without turning on the computer if I want to.

But aside from the new frame rate they added for SMPTE, is there anything else new and improved in the XT or is it more like a streamlined version that performs about the same? I see that it has some MIDI merging features too for live use I guess...
5,1 MacPro 3.46ghz x 12 cores,96gb, Monterey (OpenCore), Lynx AES16e-50+X32
User avatar
mikehalloran
Posts: 16228
Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:08 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Location: Sillie Con Valley

Re: MIDI Time Piece?

Post by mikehalloran »

I see that it has some MIDI merging features too for live use
Probably best to read the manual for the MTP/AV if you are considering it. Search for "Merge" to see if those are the features you are looking for.

http://cdn-data.motu.com/manuals/MIDI/M ... de_Mac.pdf

The only other issue is whether a used one will work with Windows or an Intel Mac - or not. Mine has a silkscreen on the panel that says "USB Macintosh Windows COMPATIBLE" but didn't work with my Intel Mac until I bought the $20 chip set from MOTU last year. It did not have the sticker mentioned below.

https://www.motu.com/store/hardware_rom_updates/

If you are using the Micro Lite or Express 128, or a MIDI Express XT or Micro Express with removable rack ears, your interface already has this latest ROM version and you do not need to purchase this ROM update.

If you have another MOTU MIDI interface model, check the printed label on the bottom of the unit. If "M/W" is printed on the label, then your interface already has this latest ROM version and you do not need to purchase this ROM update.

If the label does NOT have "M/W" printed on it, then you MAY need this ROM update to successfully operate your interface with an Intel PC or Mac.


Other than that, the battery needs to be changed every few years or so (mine lasted 10) - it takes the C2032, available everywhere.
DP 11.34; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sequoia 15.4, USB4 8TB externals, Neumann MT48, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3, Zoom F3 & UAC 232 32bit float recorder & interface; 2012 MBPs (x2) Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 NE Pro, Toast 20 Pro
User avatar
Shooshie
Posts: 19820
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:01 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Location: Dallas
Contact:

Re: MIDI Time Piece?

Post by Shooshie »

mikehalloran wrote:Other than that, the battery needs to be changed every few years or so (mine lasted 10) - it takes the C2032, available everywhere.
My original MTP-AV, the one for Mac Serial Ports (networked to my USB version of same), still churns away on the original battery, even after more than 16 years. Plus, I've got rack units still holding their RAM after over 25 years. I just booted up the TX81Z to see if my old library is still in there. It is. It's pretty unbelievable, actually.

I have a drawerful of CR2032 batteries when the day comes that they all decide to die at once. There's just one big problem. They are all backed up to Unisyn. When I have to replace their batteries, I won't be able to reload them unless I can get an old Mac up and running Unisyn. And I'm not sure I'll even remember how to do it!

Shoosh
|l| OS X 10.12.6 |l| DP 10.0 |l| 2.4 GHz 12-Core MacPro Mid-2012 |l| 40GB RAM |l| Mach5.3 |l| Waves 9.x |l| Altiverb |l| Ivory 2 New York Steinway |l| Wallander WIVI 2.30 Winds, Brass, Saxes |l| Garritan Aria |l| VSL 5.3.1 and VSL Pro 2.3.1 |l| Yamaha WX-5 MIDI Wind Controller |l| Roland FC-300 |l|
User avatar
mikehalloran
Posts: 16228
Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:08 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Location: Sillie Con Valley

Re: MIDI Time Piece?

Post by mikehalloran »

Shooshie wrote:
mikehalloran wrote:Other than that, the battery needs to be changed every few years or so (mine lasted 10) - it takes the C2032, available everywhere.
My original MTP-AV, the one for Mac Serial Ports (networked to my USB version of same), still churns away on the original battery, even after more than 16 years. Plus, I've got rack units still holding their RAM after over 25 years. I just booted up the TX81Z to see if my old library is still in there. It is. It's pretty unbelievable, actually.

I have a drawerful of CR2032 batteries when the day comes that they all decide to die at once. There's just one big problem. They are all backed up to Unisyn. When I have to replace their batteries, I won't be able to reload them unless I can get an old Mac up and running Unisyn. And I'm not sure I'll even remember how to do it!

Shoosh
Replace the battery with the power on. Don't touch anything else, of course.
DP 11.34; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sequoia 15.4, USB4 8TB externals, Neumann MT48, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3, Zoom F3 & UAC 232 32bit float recorder & interface; 2012 MBPs (x2) Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 NE Pro, Toast 20 Pro
User avatar
Shooshie
Posts: 19820
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:01 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Location: Dallas
Contact:

Re: MIDI Time Piece?

Post by Shooshie »

Thought about that, but didn't want to advocate it. That's actually what I'll most likely do.
|l| OS X 10.12.6 |l| DP 10.0 |l| 2.4 GHz 12-Core MacPro Mid-2012 |l| 40GB RAM |l| Mach5.3 |l| Waves 9.x |l| Altiverb |l| Ivory 2 New York Steinway |l| Wallander WIVI 2.30 Winds, Brass, Saxes |l| Garritan Aria |l| VSL 5.3.1 and VSL Pro 2.3.1 |l| Yamaha WX-5 MIDI Wind Controller |l| Roland FC-300 |l|
User avatar
James Steele
Site Administrator
Posts: 22809
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:01 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS
Location: San Diego, CA - U.S.A.
Contact:

Re: MIDI Time Piece?

Post by James Steele »

Hmmm. I know you wouldn't want to risk this, but I seemed to recall that if the MTP was recently powered on, you have a window within which to change the battery before you'd lose presets. Isn't there a capacitor or something in there that will maintain memory long enough so it is not lost during a battery change.

Like I said, if unsure I wouldn't chance it either.
JamesSteeleProject.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Mac Studio M1 Max, 64GB/2TB, macOS Sequoia 15.5 Public Beta 2, DP 11.34, MOTU 828es, MOTU 24Ai, MOTU MIDI Express XT, UAD-2 TB3 Satellite OCTO, Console 1 Mk2, Avid S3, NI Komplete Kontrol S88 Mk2, Red Type B, Millennia HV-3C, Warm Audio WA-2A, AudioScape 76F, Dean guitars, Marshall amps, etc., etc.!
Post Reply