[rec.music.synth] looking for MIDI merger

EDWARD.STAUFF@OFFICE.WANG.COM (Edward L. Stauff) (01/21/91)

Thanks to everyone that sent me info about MIDI mergers.  I was surprised
(and dismayed) to learn that most products seem to only merge 2 inputs.  After
thinking on this limitation for a bit, I realized that having the computer
listen to the synths is only needed for getting patch data OUT of the synth,
which shouldn't be necessary very often.  But I'll still want to be able to
merge at 3 or 4 inputs (1 or 2 keyboards, wind controller, drum controller).
So, I have another question:

If I configure a MIDI processor to merge inputs A and B to output X, plug
output X into input C, and then tell it to merge inputs C and D to output Y,
then I ought to get inputs A, B and D merged to output Y.  Can this in fact
be done, or will the MIDI processor get upset?

In summary, the following products have been recommended to me:

J. L. Cooper's MSB+ Rev 2; 8 in, 8 out; 64 memories; data filtering, channel
    bumping; all notes off button; simple user interface; no power switch;
    $300 list, $200 used.  (2 recommendations for this box)

Digital Music's MX-8; 6 in, 8 out; two midi processors; data filtering; MIDI
    delays; transpose; host of other features; 50 memories; up to 4 keyboard
    zones; $250, (list $300+). (3 recommendations for this box)

Anatek's Pocket Merge; $100.  I think this does just merging and nothing
    else.

-- Ed Stauff                                 Edward.Stauff@OFFICE.Wang.com

galanter@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Philip Galanter) (01/31/91)

Anatek also makes an 8 to 1 midi merger...I don't know anything about it
beyond the fact that it exists.

Phil