Korg TR Workstation Midi to USB

[dric]

My friend's got a Korg TR Workstation with Midi in/out. Has anyone tried using the M-Audio midi-to-usb converter to do midi recording?

I've heard there's some issues with older Midi controllers working through a midi-to-usb connection rather than through a midi-to-midi connection.

He just wants to know if anyones using this midi-to-usb setup with the Korg TR and if there's any problems to it?

Thanks all.

 

[Cheez]

I don't know about the older M-audio USB midi interfaces. But I use M-audio's Midisport 1x1. Absolutely no problem.

It should have no problem on whichever midi trigger source - Korg/Yamaha/Roland or whatever.

The only midi interface I ever had problem with (10 years ago) is the old Opcode before the company folded. Terrible midi timing. But after that, I've used MOTU, Emagic, M-audio etc from serial ports to USB versions - all has no problem.

 

[dric]

Thanks lots for the clarification bro! Cheers!

 

[ryuunix]

sorry if its too late (since one year) but does anyone knows where to buy it and how much is it?

 

[iansoh]

go and buy from sinamex. or you can go to sim lim to the back lane stores and ask for midi-usb device. a friend of mine got his brand new for just $40 whereas an m-audio one would cost u at least double.

point to note about using synths as midi controllers: if they are 'problematic', it is possibly because of all the 'unseen' midi messages that are being sent internally, that are echoed through the midi out too, for some reason. i previously used a korg karma as a controller and found that it transmitted a program change cc even when i didn't touch the thing. various midi messages are sent too, when i press different buttons or switch modes on the Korg. these messages are probably necessary for the running of the internal OS of the synth, but having them run through your softare would cause a lot of problems.

there's a midi filter function on korg synths to minimise these unwanted midi signals from getting out. u may want to read your manual on that.

 

[denischeung]

You actually do not need a USB-MIDI interface for Korg TR series. What you just need is a USB cable (like the USB cable printer uses) as there's a USB port behind the TR on the left. USB-MIDI interface is more for keyboards which has only MIDI port but without USB port. Anyway I got a non-branded China USB-MIDI port at Simlim for $35 only. You don really need a branded one. It's all the same function-wise.

 

[Cheez]

You're right! Korg TR does have a USB port! So no need for USB midi interfaces!

As for USB midi interfaces, better to get one with brand. It's more than just the function - it's the drivers.

 

[widdly]

I'm not so sure there Cheez. The cheapy ones that use the built in windows usb midi drivers are better than the ones using proprietary drivers. Microsoft is better at writing drivers than yamaha, roland or korg. The Yamaha proprietary midi drivers are particularly bad.

 

[Cheez]

Yamaha drivers are indeed bad. I wouldn't go for Yamaha/Roland/Korg. They're not computer programmers. They are getting better, as they move towards integrating and partnering with Steinberg and Cakewalk (and many of their keyboards come bundled with the LE version of the DAW software).

I don't know about Windows USB drivers and how efficient they are in handling multiple midi ins/outs. I guess I'm never game to try. But M-audio has always been great. So are all those that come built-in with pro audio cards. Low latency, no drop outs. Most midi are low latency anyway, but when midi signals are routed within DAW and various software (eg Gigastudio), you may encounter slight midi latency. Not sure about Rewire.

 

[widdly]

I've built my own 5in 5out midi interface that runs using the Windows drivers. It is much better than the commercial hardware and proprietary midi drivers I have from roland, yamaha, tascam and emagic. The real test is handling heavy streams of sysex. Many drivers flake out with too much sysex. I've found the windows drivers the most reliable.

 

[widdly]

I've built my own 5in 5out midi interface that runs using the Windows drivers. It is much better than the commercial hardware and proprietary midi drivers I have from roland, yamaha, tascam and emagic. The real test is handling heavy streams of sysex. Many drivers flake out with too much sysex. I've found the windows drivers the most reliable.

M-audio don't have a good history of driver support.