Product Reviews

The need to interface with audio hardware may seem antiquated when you consider the proliferation of software synthesizers on the Mac. However, serious musicians will always want to hook up their favourite MIDI controller (typically a keyboard) and preferred synthesizer.

To this end, Midiman USB Midisport 8x8/s provides eight input and eight output MIDI ports. Generally, each input and output port will be dedicated to one instrument. This arrangement allows a Mac music sequencer to play the instrument and also receive data, such as sound banks, which can then be stored in a librarian package like Emagic's SoundDiver or MOTU's UniSyn.

Lucky eight

Eight-port MIDI interfaces have been standard fare in semi-professional setups for nearly two decades, but now there are also USB models. The Midisport has Mac OS X drivers and USB support for Mac OS 9, as well as serial interfacing for older Power Macs. It also has an on-board SMPTE time code synchroniser, which generates time code for recording on to tape machines or video. The Midisport reads the signal when it is replayed, enabling it to run a sequencer synchronously with the tape or video source.

The Midisport performs these tasks with the help of OMS, which is a MIDI routing utility, and its Midisport Remote control panel. Unfortunately, it doesn't deliver any SMPTE reading functions under OS X, although time code can be generated by simply depressing the Write button on the front panel.

Positive input

Other front-panel features are the input and output MIDI sockets for Port 8 - a nice touch for hooking up alternative controllers or hire gear when the unit is racked up. Each port has an input and output activity LED, which are essential for troubleshooting.

Repeatedly pressing the Format button toggles LED indicators through five different time code formats (24fps, 25fps, 29.97fps, 30Dfps and 30fps), likewise the Mode button scrolls along USB, PC, Mac, Cable Test and Thru mode. The back panel is host to the remaining seven MIDI in and out ports, USB and serial interfacing, and jack sockets

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for SMPTE in and out. The unit is powered by an external power supply.

If you are using the USB interface with OS 9, the Midisport is set up with the aid of OMS. Having defined the instruments on the ports, it works invisibly, integrating the hardware within sequencing applications. Digital Performer users relying on FreeMIDI will need to use the OMS Compatibility Mode, which worked when tested.

The Midisport Remote control panel is used to set up time code values for generation and to monitor it as a reader. Unfortunately, there is no time code output level adjustment. The Midisport Remote also has a MIDI patch bay to preset the routing of input and output ports for use in standalone mode.

In OS X 10.2, the Audio MIDI utility takes the place of OMS. It scans and identifies the Midisport, then determines the devices needed to be added manually to each port. It's essential that you open More Properties to enable each device's MIDI channels and other features. When we were in the grip of the Audio MIDI utility, it appeared that the Midisport wasn't responding to incoming MIDI because the LEDs would not flash. However, don't panic, as running Logic Audio or Cubase SX will wake it up and it will then behave as normal.

Unfortunately, an equivalent of the Midisport Remote utility for OS X was missing from the drivers we downloaded. During our tests, Logic Audio 5.5 and Cubase SX 1.051 did not respond to the incoming SMPTE time code, even though the unit's 'locked' LED lit up. When the MIDI Time Code (MTC) was sent directly by MIDI, both applications synchronised properly.

For Macs with serial ports, the manual directs you to install a driver from the disk. However, it isn't there, nor is it on Midiman's UK Web site. It does appear on Midiman's German site, but when we downloaded and installed it, it didn't work. The problem is that OMS identifies the Midisport, but the utility crashes during the last moments of the setup. Midiman's support department admitted that the driver didn't work and said a new one would be posted on the Web by the time you read this, together with an OS X SMPTE control panel.

Serial killer

The Midisport could have been a one-stop shop for any Mac user working with MIDI, as it claims compatibility with past, present and future models. Yet out of the box, the serial interfacing doesn't work, the OS X support has no SMPTE synchronisation and the USB interfacing fails to function when it is connected to a hub.

With fixes to at least the first two of these issues, the Midiman USB Midisport 8x8/s could yet be a useful tool in the Mac musician's arsenal, but for now, it's a case of what might have been.