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UMI-1 : USB MIDI adapter

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First post, by dreamblaster

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Hey,

after getting a few mails asking why I don't make an affordable great working USB to MIDI converter
(those Chinese USB TO MIDI cables don't seem to work well, and roland cables are expensive ??), I decided to do it.

i created a small PCB that converts USB to MIDI (in and out) : UMI-1
This is the prototype, it still needs some changes before releasing.

Some things I could add for the next revision, if it makes sense (not sure) :

add a dip switch for :
- enable/disable running status support. --> is it useful to switch on running status for games ?
- switch between USB DEVICE / USB DEVICE B name in usb descriptor. (allows to use 2 USB MIDI converters at the same time without confusion).

add a second MIDI IN and OUT? (I think not relevant for games ??)

add a 3d printed enclosure

Looking for 1 person in Europe, who likes to try UMI-1's compatibility, and provide feedback.
I will send you an UMI-1 prototype for free, if you like to :
- try with different operating systems (as many as possible)
- try with different MIDI devices.

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Visit http://www.serdashop.com for retro sound cards, video converters, ...
DreamBlaster X2, S2, S2P, HDD Clicker, ... many projects !
New X2GS SE & X16GS sound card : https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE ,
Thanks for your support !

Reply 1 of 2, by yawetaG

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dreamblaster wrote:

(those Chinese USB TO MIDI cables don't seem to work well, and roland cables are expensive ??), I decided to do it.

Roland's cheapest interface is 30-40 Euro at a large store such as Thomann...you can have an OEM interface for as little as 15 Euro. Other good manufacturers are also all under 100 Euro for 4-8-port interfaces. So I'm not sure if this is worth it for you...

(I must say I fail to understand why paying 30-40 Euros for a known-good USB/MIDI interface is considered "too much" when people regularly pay over 100-150 Euros for GM modules and other hardware... 😕 )

Also, on some OSes you need a driver for the USB/MIDI adapter - it's not merely a question of using a plug-and-play USB-compliant device. To elaborate, it might only work without a driver on Mac OS X, because OS X has an integrated utility that detects USB class compliant MIDI devices. Mac OS Classic needs additional software (e.g. OMS/Open Music System) to be able to use MIDI devices; see https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4968700. I'm pretty sure Windows 9x/NT needs a driver; 2000 likely too; possibly XP and later too (going by how you need to download a driver for most USB MIDI devices from big manufacturers...).

Reply 2 of 2, by dreamblaster

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yawetaG wrote:

So I'm not sure if this is worth it for you...

Yeah, I really wanted to do this. So I am happy to have it.
Maybe I stick with these few prototypes, and not sell it. 😀

Visit http://www.serdashop.com for retro sound cards, video converters, ...
DreamBlaster X2, S2, S2P, HDD Clicker, ... many projects !
New X2GS SE & X16GS sound card : https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE ,
Thanks for your support !

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