Tags: MIDI converters

Notes: Continuing from the appeal of the G2M and B2M, the i2M Musicport combines the features of both these units (to support both guitar and bass) with an optimised USB interface for even faster MIDI performance. Featuring extended MIDI features and configurability to satisfy the most demanding users, and a high-impedance audio interface that won't suck the tone from your instrument, the i2M Musicport is the new way to connect your musical instruments to your computer.

Designed particularly for guitar and bass, it works with most musical instruments including wind instruments and the human voice. Now you can record great-sounding tracks and play synthesizers and samplers how you have always wanted to: by using your favourite instrument.

Plug and Play

Using class-compliant USB drivers built into your computer's operating system, and with no special instrument set up required, the i2M Musicport offers a true plug-and-play experience for all musicians.

Ultra-Fast Monophonic MIDI Conversion

Although latency is unavoidable when converting musical pitch into MIDI mes-sages, the unique technology used in the i2M Musicport reduces this to a minimum. Not only is the MIDI conversion extremely fast, but accurate and ro-bust. In fact, the pitch-bend detection of the i2M Musicport is more accurate than many popular guitar tuners!

Fine nuances of your playing are captured by the i2M Musicport: note velocity is determined from how hard you play; and subtle vibrato and bends are con-verted to ultra-accurate pitch-bend messages with virtually no latency. Every-thing from the emotional subtlety of a 'cello solo to the most extreme use of a guitar's whammy bar are tracked flawlessly.

The optimised USB MIDI interface further minimises latency by intelligently managing data packets and avoiding the inherent delays in the traditional MIDI hardware protocol.

Flexible MIDI Architecture

The MIDI converter architecture is very flexible and powerful comprising six zones (splits), each with configurable pitch bend, MIDI channel, transpose and other parameters.

Hi-Z USB Audio Interface

The i2M Musicport features a very high-impedance (Hi-Z) audio input circuit. This means it won't degrade the tone of your musical instruments, unlike typi-cal "line" inputs - often a problem with electric guitars and dynamic micro-phones. The input pre-amp also has adjustable gain to accommodate a wide variety of musical instruments.
High quality 16-bit, 44.1 kHz (CD quality), and 48 kHz (DVD quality) digital audio can be recorded into your favourite audio application, or used live, for example through amp-simulators with great-sounding results.

An ASIO driver (only supported on Windows operating systems) is available to provide low latency audio and features the unique ability to use any other au-dio device (even other ASIO devices) as the output audio device so you can hear everything you do in real time.

Future-Proof (Upgradeable Firmware)

To support new features and to make it futureproof, the firmware (internal software) of the i2M Musicport can be upgraded. This means you can invest with confidence in the i2M Musicport.

Pocket-Sized / Gigantic Possibilities

Fashioned as an in-line 1/4" jack-to-USB adapter, and about the size of a car key-fob, the i2M Musicport has an ultra-compact design that can easily fit into your pocket. But this tiny box will redefine your musical possibilities.

An invaluable composition tool, the i2M Musicport will let you access new sounds with ease, enable you to create tab and scores, provide you with new inspiration and let you have more fun than you thought possible.

Desktop Editor Software

The i2M Musicport features a very flexible and powerful MIDI converter archi-tecture with 6 zones enabling MIDI to be sent on up to 6 MIDI channels simul-taneously, with each zone being independently configurable. You can custom-ise each of the operating modes for your particular requirements and ex-change these settings with other i2M Musicport users.

Four presets can be stored on the i2M Musicport so you can switch between these without requiring the Desktop Editor Software. This software is available for Microsoft Windows, and OSX (10.5 and above).

Note: the i2M Musicport doesn't include its own MIDI sounds, you must use suitable software (sampler, synthesizer, sound module etc) or your computer to record or to hear the MIDI output.

Specs:

Power supply: USB bus powered
Size: 75mm x 28mm x 28mm
Weight: 40 g
Input (Instrument): 6.35mm (1/4") mono jack | 10 MOhm impedance
Switches:MODE button to select active preset
Computer: Standard Type B USB socket
Drivers: Class-compliant (built into operation system)
Preamp Gain: -12dB (cut) to +15dB (boost) in 3dB steps
Audio: 16-bit, 44.1kHz (CD Quality) | 16-bit, 48kHz (DVD Quality)

Box Contents:

i2M musicport
Printed Operators' Manual (in English)
1m USB cable

Notes: - CV & Gate inputs on 3.5mm mono jack sockets
- A to D conversion for main CV input is 16 bit high quality ADC
- V/octave, Hz/V or 1.2V/oct modes selectable
- Gate type can be selected as Gate or S-trig
- Aux1 & 2 inputs on 3.5mm mono jack (continuously variable or switch selectable)
- Auxes can select controller number
- Auto tune feature makes setup easy
- MIDI Out on 5 pin DIN socket
- Non-volatile memory EEPROM (no back-up battery required)
- 32 bit ARM processor

Comes with multi-regional power supply

Notes: Your USB device is plugged into the MIDI USB Host mk3 instead of into a computer. It provides MIDI In & Out sockets for USB MIDI keyboards and controllers which have only a USB B type socket. For example, used with a USB-Solo, it allows the USB-Solo to be used in a standard MIDI setup, just like a Pro-Solo. It has a USB Host port (USB A type socket), a MIDI In and a MIDI Out (both 5 pin DIN).

The MIDI USB Host mk3 now has additional features. In addition to the standard operating mode, there are now two further modes.

Standard mode (LED Green):
MIDI data received at the MIDI In socket is sent to the USB device and MID data from the USB device is sent to the MIDI Out socket.

Merge 1 mode (LED Amber):
MIDI IN does not go to USB device but instead is merged with MIDI data coming from the USB device which is then sent to the MIDI Out socket.

Merge 2 mode (LED Red):
MIDI IN data is sent to the USB device & is also merged with MIDI data from the USB device which is then sent to the MIDI Out socket.

The modes are selected sequentially by pressing the recessed push button - the LED colour indicating which mode is current.

The attached USB MIDI device MUST be 'Class Compliant'.

The MIDI USB HOST is powered by a regulated 5V mains adaptor (supplied), and can supply up to 1 Amp of buss power to the attached USB device. This product is supplied with a multi-region power supply suitable for use in most countries.

Attractively finished in brushed aluminium with black screen print

Dimensions: 110mm x 55mm x 32mm

Connecting
You can connect one "Class Compliant" USB device directly into the MIDI USB Host. If your host has the latest firmware already installed then you can plug in a powered USB hub and up to four USB devices can then be connected. Earlier MIDI USB Host mkIIs can be updated with a free download which is available from the support section of our website. Serial numbers N6-2421 already have the hub compatible firmware. Serial numbers N3-0541and upward can be updated.

It is recommended that you attach your USB device to the MIDI USB Host before applying power. Then plug-in and power the power adaptor. The active LED should be lit up. If you apply power with nothing plugged into the MIDI USB Host, the Active LED will flash steadily; this is to indicate that it is waiting for a suitable device to be attached. If it is still flashing when you have attached your device, then it is possible that your device is not class compliant, however you could try turning off the power and start again.

Some USB MIDI devices have two modes of operation and can be set to operate in Class Compliant mode even if this is not the default. The Class Compliant mode might be called "generic driver", the other mode may be called something like "advanced driver". Consult the device manual to see if the mode can be set for Class Compliant.

If you unplug then re-plug the USB cable while it is powered the device might reconnect, but it is not certain.

Power

It is essential to use only the supplied 5V regulated power adaptor. Applying a voltage higher than 5V to the MIDI USB Host will probably not damage the MIDI USB Host itself, but it could damage any attached USB device as the 5V is passed on to the attached USB device for buss power. There is protection circuitry inside the MIDI USB Host to protect against reverse polarity and over-voltage, but these should be treated as a last resort and are not guaranteed to prevent damage to an attached USB device in the event of over-voltage as the USB buss voltage could rise to 6.5V before being clamped.

Care should be taken to ensure that power adaptors for other pieces of equipment are not accidentally plugged into the MIDI USB Host.

If the input voltage rises above 6.5 volts then power will be shut off. The LED will go out and the unit will not operate again until power has been removed for at least 60 seconds. This allows time for the thermal fuse to reset.

The following Yamaha keyboards ar known to be class compliant and therefore should work OK:

PSR-E353, PSR-E443
PSR-S670, PSR-S770, PSR-S970, PSR-A3000, TYROS-5
NP-12, NP-32
DGX-650, DGX-660
P-105, P-115, P-255

The following keyboards are known to incorporate a USB hub and therefore will only work with firmware v2005 or later (s/n N6-2421 and above) for the MIDI USB Host:

Korg Microkey 61
Korg Microkey 49
Korg Microkey 37

Power: 90mA, USB mini-B socket - leaving 910 mA available for the attached USB device
Dimensions: 110 x 55 x 32 mm
Weight: 100g (excluding power supply)
MIDI: 1x IN, 1x OUT - both 5 pin DIN
Power Supply: 5V DC / 1 Amp regulated - (never use an unregulated supply as unregulated supplies typically give a higher output voltage than shown).

This product is supplied with a multi-region power supply which is suitable for use in the UK, EU, US/Canada and AUS/NZ.