laura.bela wrote:If I’m correct, I guess what i need is a MIDI input and an audio (USB?) input only. Then a LOT more options for outputs, especially for further audio expansion. I’ll continue to research!
Just to be clear, a
MIDI interface to your computer is for your keyboards, pedal board, stop controls, expression pedal(s), etc. so that you can operate the "virtual" keyboards, pedal board, stop controls, etc. of the organ you have loaded. An audio interface, as the name implies, is mainly if not chiefly for audio. Many audio interfaces have a MIDI ports as well to offer a convenience of connectivity in your setup. The recommended connection of an audio interface is by USB2 or Thunderbolt. Before USB2, Firewire was the best (only?) protocol available that could handle the throughput. I think its safe to say most Firewire interface models are being phased out as USB2 & USB3 are now standard along with Thunderbolt for Macs.
There are several methods to go about connecting multiple USB devices to your computer. The simplest is a dedicated USB to MIDI interface like the
iConnectivity mio or
Roland UM-one.
Not to muddy the waters, the MIDI "IN" port on an audio interface so equipped can be used for your Hauptwerk organ as well. Thus the simplicity of one USB cable connection that handles both audio out (being sent to amp/speakers) and MIDI IN (to accept the MIDI signals from your controllers). As a warning, it has been mentioned on the forum here that running the respective upper limit of audio channels
and MIDI traffic can over-task these units. The solution is to simply separate the MIDI to a dedicated MIDI interface as I mentioned previously.
Danny B.