MIDI Time Piece?

[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

[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!

[Gravity Jim]

Yep, my USB version proudly wears the Unicorn.

[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

[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?

[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.

[mikehalloran]

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.

[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.

[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...

[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...

[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.

[Shooshie]

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

[mikehalloran]

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.

[Shooshie]

Thought about that, but didn't want to advocate it. That's actually what I'll most likely do.

[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.