MIDI merger ... for live situation

wonder · Post by **wonder** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 1:18 pm

I have 2 or 3 keyboards that go to the same MIDI module ... I'm looking for a good MIDI merger / router that can possibly work as a patchbay for live switching?

Have any suggestions?

mhschmieder · Post by **mhschmieder** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 4:21 pm

Edirol makes very good ones, both half-rack (with AC wall wart) and full-rack (with IEC cable). I owned the full-rack version for awhile but then didn't really need a MIDI patchbay anymore. Not sure if it's still made, as Roland recently rebranded/repurposed Edirol and some products fell away.

The Edirol units are true patchbays; none of the others are (regardless of what they claim in their literature). I define a true patchbay as one that has dedicated switches that allow on-the-fly re-routing vs. only ahead of time via computer interface or via on-board deep menus.

The recent trend is towards USB-power only, under the assumption that people only use MIDI with computers anymore. Be very careful to read the specs before buying.

If you know you'll only need a bi-way switcher/merger, you might find some simpler/cheaper options such as in-line cable solutions (no breakout box or rack module). You can find these at any on-line e-store, usually listed with the MIDI interfaces.