[sdiy] passive MIDI merge?

[Paul Maddox]

Simon,

the good news is,
someone on the list already built a midi patch bay (Neil Johnson, please
standup)
Im not sure how far the project has gone as far as PCBs, etc go...
Drop him an email..

Paul MAddox


----- Original Message -----
From: Simon Gatrall <gatrall at pacbell.net>
To: <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2001 11:24 PM
Subject: [sdiy] passive MIDI merge?


> I have what I think should be a straight-forward MIDI problem, but I
> can't find a good solution.  I have 13 MIDI devices in my studio and
> one Opcode Studio 4 interface (8 in/out).  I'd like to ba able to
> hook all of the external MIDI equipment to my computer with both the
> MIDI in's and out's.  If I didn't care about sending MIDI back from
> every device to the computer, I could hook everything up just fine
> using the thru's that some of my equipment has.  However, I like to
> be able to save patches and use the controllers on all of my gear,
> not just selected pieces.  Given that problem, I can think of a few
> options:
>
> 1) Buy another multiport MIDI interface (I just saw a used Studio 4 for
$150)
> 2) Buy a MIDI merge unit that can handle at least 6 inputs. (around $200
new)
> 3) Build my own simple MIDI merge unit.
> 4) Sell all my MIDI gear and go all [software/analog] (take your pick);)
> 5) Build/buy a MIDI patchbay.
>
> I think there must be a simple solution for #3 because I don't need
> an active merge.  There are two people at most in my studio at any
> given point, and we aren't both playing/tweaking knobs at the same
> instant.  Isn't there some simple way to combine MIDI signals if you
> assume that no two pieces of gear will be transmitting at the same
> time?  Does anyone have a schematic?
>
> Solution #5 might also do the trick, but I'd prefer something that I
> don't have to touch again.
>
> -s!mon