How to connect 3 MIDI keyboards to a 1 input MIDI interface

Hi all,

I thought I understood this topic but can't get a successful outcome.
I've successfully used a MOTU Microlite MIDI interface with my Mac and had thought I read it was OK with the new Mac Big Sur OS. Unfortunately not. So I resorted to my Prosonus Studio 24 which did get updated Big Sur drivers.

My issue now is that the Prosonus only has 1 MIDI input, so is it possible to daisy chain my 3 keyboards and pedals into that 1 input.

2 of my keyboards (Korg M1, Roland XV 88) do have MIDI THRU.

I've watched a few videos online of various suggestions but I always find that people rabbit on a bit and don't provide a clear concise explanation.

My set up is:
Manual 1: M Audio Keystation (with MIDI out only)
Manual 2: Korg M1 Synth (MIDI in, out, thru)
Manual 3: Roland XV 88 Keyboard (MIDI in, out through)
Pedals: MIDI out.


Thanks for any advice.
Regards
Stuart

Hello,
I do not think this is possible at all!
The MIDI-Thru function is simply to make the signal from the MIDI-In available at the MIDI-Thru (which is an output), so the same MIDI signal can easily be routed to a number of devices. However, the MIDI-Thru output does NOT contain the signal from the keyboard itself, the MIDI-IN and the keyboard MIDI signals are not merged!
There is therefore no way to connect three sources to a single input, regardless of the availability of MIDI-Thru on them. What you would need are MIDI merger boxes, or a MIDI interface with three MIDI-In ports.

Best regards
Reiner

[mdyde]

Hello Stuart,

To confirm Reiner's reply, yes -- it isn't in general possible to connect multiple MIDI devices to a single computer MIDI IN port (unless you use a MIDI merge device and set all of the devices to use different MIDI channels). MIDI THRU ports are designed to be used for MIDI OUT from the computer, not MIDI IN.

A multi-port MIDI interface is best, such as your Microlite.

I see that MOTU's current MIDI driver is stated as being compatible with up to macOS 10.15, although they do also have this 'tech note' entry about macOS 11. Not sure whether that's relevant to their MIDI driver:

https://motu.com/techsupport/technotes/ ... =big%20sur

If not, you could perhaps try contacting MOTU to see when they expect to have a driver available for their MIDI interfaces for macOS 11 ('Big Sur'), or whether it's possible to get their current driver to work on it.

Thank you Reiner and Martin - both great points and clear to understand!

Yes I think I will need to wait for Big Sur drivers for the Microlite - hopefully enough people in the world are using them that it shouldn't be too far off!

I guess if I am desperate I could downgrade Big Sur - but that may be more pain than it's worth.

Cheers again and best wishes for the New Year!

Regards
Stuart

[mdyde]

Thanks, Stuart. Very best wishes for New Year to you too.

You could try a product like this:

https://www.avshop.ca/recording-midi-interfaces/midi-solutions-multivoltage-quadra-merge?gclid=Cj0KCQiAoab_BRCxARIsANMx4S4DpiIkimK4RgPEzfYepnYcF2ysMiuzXaZePF7HPcrEcpq5oswPzVQaAl-kEALw_wcB

Midi solutions has a good reputation, and their products work well, but they are pricey. Also, you would be limited to connecting only the Midi outs of your respective instruments to it, and the out of the unit goes to your midi port. Given how expensive it is, I would also recommend waiting for the Motu. If you’re very programming and tech savvy, you could also make a 3 way merger using an arduino Mega and the appropriate connectors. That’s out of the realm of most consumers though.

I have a MIDI Solutions QuadraMerge I can sell you for $30 plus postage. I have no idea what it would cost to ship to you.
Scott Duncan (8ftstop)

Hello all,

I've put a new topic posting above to say that I've managed to get success with MOTU interface and Big Sur using a workaround posted on the MOTUNATION forum.

Might be worth a look at if anyone wants to try it given that MOTU are not giving any timeline on when their interfaces will be compatible with Big Sur.

Happy organing.

Stuart

[mdyde]

I've put a new topic posting above to say that I've managed to get success with MOTU interface and Big Sur using a workaround posted on the MOTUNATION forum.

Might be worth a look at if anyone wants to try it given that MOTU are not giving any timeline on when their interfaces will be compatible with Big Sur.

This is a link to that relevant topic: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=19415