Looking for a MIDI interface

[sdc]

Hi

We have just had two PCs fail in one of our music rooms. The new computers were buying these days from HP are low-profile cases (Small Form Factor), so I'm looking for some low-profile MIDI interface PCI cards. So far I've had no success finding any; does anyone know of something suitable please?

We've considered USB/MIDI devices, but in my experience (which seems to be backed up by online reports such as this one), the latency through USB means that your MIDI stream is wrecked.

Any advice/suggestions greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Stephen

[NathG]

Hi,

We have the below one if you are interested:



Specifications
Communications
Modem Speeds 56 Kbps with V.92/V.90 technology
Data Modes V.92, V.90, V.34, V.32bis, V.32, V.22bis, V.22, V.23, V.21, Bell 212A, Bell 103
Fax Modes V.17, V.29, V.27ter, and V.21 Ch2, Class 1
Error Correction Protocol V.42 LAPM and MNP 2-4
Data Compression Protocol ITU V.42bis, MNP-5
Transmission Mode Up to V.90 fax and data
System Requirements
System Requirements System compatiblity (Pentium MMX 233MHE above)
Operating System Requirements Microsoft Windows 98SE, Me, NT, 2000, XP
Physical
Form Factor Modem

6k Smartlink PCI Software Modem - Generic Low Profile

£14.99 including FREE delivery

Originally Posted by sdc

Hi

We have just had two PCs fail in one of our music rooms. The new computers were buying these days from HP are low-profile cases (Small Form Factor), so I'm looking for some low-profile MIDI interface PCI cards. So far I've had no success finding any; does anyone know of something suitable please?

We've considered USB/MIDI devices, but in my experience (which seems to be backed up by online reports such as this one), the latency through USB means that your MIDI stream is wrecked.

Any advice/suggestions greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Stephen

[sdc]

Originally Posted by NathG

Form Factor Modem

Hi

Sorry; this appears to be a modem... we're looking for a MIDI interface - for connecting to digital piano keyboards and the like.

Thanks
Stephen

[CPLTD]

Originally Posted by sdc

Hi

We have just had two PCs fail in one of our music rooms. The new computers were buying these days from HP are low-profile cases (Small Form Factor), so I'm looking for some low-profile MIDI interface PCI cards. So far I've had no success finding any; does anyone know of something suitable please?

We've considered USB/MIDI devices, but in my experience (which seems to be backed up by online reports such as this one), the latency through USB means that your MIDI stream is wrecked.

Any advice/suggestions greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Stephen

How about the below chap £45.00+vat Free Next Day Delivery!


Auzentech X-Tension DIN Sound Card Midi In/Out/Mic + Many I/O
Mic In: The input for dynamic-microphone. In total, three microphone inputs are available (Microphone input of the soundcard, FP_AUDIO, Auzen X-Tension). When the jumper switch 9 is set to ‘ON,’ this input changes to a condenser microphone input that supports 5V power (Caution: "Phantom power" is not supported. Do not use a phantom microphone.)
MIDI In: 16 channels of MIDI signal input.
MIDI Out: 16 channels of MIDI signal output.

Digital In: Supports coaxial and optical input.
Digital Out: Supports coaxial and optical output.
G9 Digital Multi Out: Output supporting 24Bit 96kHz LPCM or PCM 8ch. Compatible with digital speakers from Creative Labs™.
EXT_MIC Connector: Transfers microphone input data. Used with the 4pin-4pin cable to connect to the soundcard.
Data Cable Connector: Used to connect the soundcard and Auzen X-Tension DIN.
Jumper 1: Default setting is ‘OFF’ for dynamic microphone. When set to on ‘ON’, 5V will be provided to the microphone input for use with a condenser microphone.
Jumper 2: This jumper is related with the type of digital signal. For the X-Meridian, set this jumper to ‘OFF.' Other settings may be appropriate for future soundcards.

[pscott]

We us Edirol UM-1EX []Roland U.S. - Error Page

They are USB, but we have a 2 rooms full of them (41 Computers) and have had no issue with lag

[sdc]

Originally Posted by CPLTD

How about the below chap £45.00+vat Free Next Day Delivery!

This looks interesting, but a couple of questions:

1. What is the connection to the motherboard - PCI?
2. It looks like this is a "full height" card - but these cases are slimline/low profile ones, so anything we put in an expansion slot needs to be half-height. Are these actually full height or is the angle of the photo misleading?

Thanks
Stephen

[sdc]

Originally Posted by pscott

We us Edirol UM-1EX []Roland U.S. - Error Page

They are USB, but we have a 2 rooms full of them (41 Computers) and have had no issue with lag

That's worth knowing; thanks. We will consider this and see what the music dept want to go for.

[El_Nombre]

MIDI shouldn't be causing the lag there, MIDI is a really small amount of information USB can easily cope with. Lag will be from the soundcard - try adjusting the latency time, though not so much as to get pops and crackles when using it.

[PeterW]

I don't think your going to get one I had a bit of a google earlier and I was coming up short (a bit like in real life) Your probably looking at USB I'm afraid.

@Simon - mate thats full height and also I think its an addon for the Auzentech X-Fi prelude not a stand alone sound card.

[sdc]

Originally Posted by El_Nombre

MIDI shouldn't be causing the lag there, MIDI is a really small amount of information USB can easily cope with. Lag will be from the soundcard - try adjusting the latency time, though not so much as to get pops and crackles when using it.

That's interesting - my home PC has no MIDI interface, so I bought (admittedly a very cheap) USB MIDI interface. When playing into the PC from my digital piano, the music starts off OK-ish and then turns dreadful as the metronome slows exponentially! (I admit this might be my computer's reaction to my muscial ability, but we'll leave that aside for now...)

My initial research led me to believe that this was a result of the USB interface's lack of synchronicity - as MIDI clearly has a very strict clocked signal, the lack of such a clock on USB meant that it couldn't "keep up"... but perhaps I am getting confused? Could my PC be just too ancient?! I tried it on both my (relatively new Sony) laptop and my work (new HP) laptop, but with identical results each time. Therefore, I concluded, either the USB bus isn't really suited to MIDI, or the device I purchased is really cheap and nasty!

[CPLTD]

Originally Posted by PeterW

I don't think your going to get one I had a bit of a google earlier and I was coming up short (a bit like in real life) Your probably looking at USB I'm afraid.

@Simon - mate thats full height and also I think its an addon for the Auzentech X-Fi prelude not a stand alone sound card.

yup your right fella add on card it is and full height cheers fella,

Simon

[sdc]

Originally Posted by PeterW

I don't think your going to get one I had a bit of a google earlier and I was coming up short (a bit like in real life) Your probably looking at USB I'm afraid.

Yes, this is what I was coming round to. Ah well, never mind. The other alternative is to build PCs which can accommodate a full-height PCI card, I guess. We'll see what they want to do...!

[PeterW]

The other alternative is to build PCs which can accommodate a full-height PCI card, I guess.

That we would be able to help you with

[dhicks]

Originally Posted by sdc

I'm looking for some low-profile MIDI interface PCI cards.

I have the same kind of issue - I have a couple of machines to put together for music that take low-profile PCI cards. Our music department, however, have been using the Edirol PC-50 keyboard - acts as a USB/MIDI interface and is bus-powered from the USB port, so no annoying power cables all over the place:

Edirol PC-50 USB MIDI Controller Keyboard at DV247.COM

Other USB musical instruments are available. I'm still holding out for a copy of Rockband for our Wiis...

--
David Hicks

[dhicks]

Originally Posted by dhicks

I have a couple of machines to put together for music that take low-profile PCI cards.

A quick search for "PCI MIDI" on eBay turns up a fair selection of cards, actually - you might be able to get some model numbers off there. Also, try Richer Sounds:

Richer Sounds - The UK's Hi-Fi, Home Cinema & Flat Panel Tv Specialists!

If you give them a ring they should be able to advise you.

--
David Hicks