[comp.sys.next] Midi interfaces that don't work with 68040

rit@killdeer.Stanford.EDU (Jean-Francois Rit) (05/07/91)

I have tested for you the following low cost midi interfaces on a
NextStation running 2.1. And they don't work:

- Opcode midi translator
- Altech's 1x3 

More precisely, they work in the midi out direction but not the midi
in (i.e. you can't use a midi controller).

Here is how I tested it. I am completely new to midi so I am putting
some effort into describing the set up so others can try to duplicate
it (with other interfaces) or correct my conclusion that the midi
interfaces do not work.

Set up: 

Hard:

Nextstation - B serial port --- "Next 040 to some serial devices" cable --
                                                                         |
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   |
   ----- serial port - Midi Interface - In -------- Out - TR 505 Drum box
                                     |                   |
                                     - Out -------- In ---

Soft:

Drum box sends and receive on ch 10.  Nexstation runs ensemble.  

- Input set to anything but midi 10 (or you have a nasty loop bug)
   Instrument set to midi out ch 10
   When you play the Ensemble keyboard, the drum box sounds (so it
   works in that direction )
 
- Input set to midi 10
  Instrument sent to anything but midi out
  When you play the drum box, nothing happens (you should hear the
  Next instrument).


I tested the serial cable on a printer and a terminal, the drum box
and the midi interfaces on a macintosh. They all work.

NexAnswers advertizes the Opcode Studio 3 as working, but I have been
unable to test it. Being a company, I doubt they would advertize
non-working products even if they know about it because it does not
generate good publicity.

I would like to hear about any midi interface that you tested on a
68040 Next Machine.

J-F Rit

uab1015@dircon.co.uk (Henry McGeough) (05/09/91)

I've tried the Apple Midi box. It works with Midi in only. The 
cable thatApple supply is the same as the 68030 null modem cable.

I will try again with the NeXT 68030 -> 68040 null modem cable 
when I can get one made up.

Why is it that NeXT can publish the fact that there are differences 
and problems with the 68040, but not sell cables or software 
fixes for these problems ?

Henry.