Fix "dirt cheap" USB midi cables

[JT64]

I bought three USB midi cable adapters some 6 euro each, i found out they just do not work, out is flaky and into synth is dead. So I read they are missing optocouplers a 3 euro, which i probably can manage to solder.

https://www.fruugo.se/trixes-usb-till-midi-omvandlare-kabel/p-24822141-53701079

But i need the cables not only for synth “device” to but also for PC to device, bidirectional use and sysex communication.

Anyone had luck getting these to work after installing the optocouplers, or is it trashbin material?

• This topic was modified 4 years, 8 months ago by JT64.
• This topic was modified 4 years, 8 months ago by JT64.

[JT64]

By the way what “cheap” and fully functional USB midi cables can you recommend.

I have this one it served me good although i never tried a full sysex dump with it.
Unfortunately it seem both out of production and out of stock.

https://www.datagrottan.se/deltaco-midi-till-usb-kabel-for/cat-p/c/p2868324/l_en

So what USB midi cabel do you use?

[Possemo]

@Kagneeann: hmm, this is probably spam what you are posting. I could not find any MIDI interfaces at Reecoupons.

For Mac and specially for PC users I’d recommend this one:
https://www.gear4music.ch/en/G4M/ESI-MIDIMate-eX/1YDW

I think you have to spend about $30 for a MIDI interface. You won’t do yourself a favor buying some rubbish half-working junk. For PC it is important that the manufacturer does provide dedicated drivers as otherwise you won’t be able to run more than one app at the same time (multi-client capabiltiy). On the other hand it is nice when you get plug-and-play with a class compliant device (on Mac even multi-client capable). The ESI Midimate EX has both advantages – it is class compliant and (if needed for multi-client capability) there are dedicated drivers for Windows.

The Midimate is a bit special in the way that there is no hard-wired MIDI-out and MIDI-in. Both Port1 and Port2 can be In or Out – it depends on how you select it in your DAW/App. That can be confusing but it should be no big problem. It works perfectly for sysex transfer and whatever MIDI message.

To be fair: the Midimate is not the only good low-cost interface. E.g. I heard nothing but good things about the small Roland MIDI-interface:
https://www.roland.com/global/products/um-one_mk2/
It’s a bit more expensive though and I’ve never tried it myself.

[Author]

Posts