Micro Express - Standalone?

[kanthos]

I'm in need of a cheap MIDI patchbay for my live keyboard rig that can handle merging and can change the MIDI channel on incoming data. I've looked at the MOTU Micro Express and it seems to fit the bill. I have no desire to buy a larger rackmount unit: I don't have many devices to plug into it, don't have too much money to spend, and would rather have a smaller unit if possible.

My question is about powering the unit. I'm aware of the older Micro Express units that have a built-in power supply, but the currently available model only has the USB connection. I have no intention of using it for computer recording (my audio interface has MIDI input and output, and one of my two keyboards uses MIDI-over-USB); I want it strictly for live playing.

Clearly, the device must be powered by USB, but my understanding is that I can use a USB power adapter (buying a third-party one if necessary) to power the unit. MOTU's site doesn't give extensive information on the device (I only confirmed that it'd meet my MIDI needs by finding a German manual, looking at screenshots of the software to program it, and translating some of it), but the site does mention that it has battery-backed memory and, of course, older versions of the unit had a built-in power supply.

Would anyone mind confirming that the latest model will work fine as a standalone unit without a computer?

[BradLyons]

Are you referring to the MICRO EXPRESS, or the MICRO LITE? The MICRO EXPRESS does have a power supply, it does not require the computer. The MICRO LITE, however, requires the computer to function.