Mon Dec 21, 2020 4:23 am
Hello positive,
16 MIDI channels are ample for the vast majority of Hauptwerk users.
Any given 5-pin DIN MIDI port can carry at most 16 MIDI channels. Based on a quick look at ESI's website, their MIDIMATE eX only has two 5-pin DIN MIDI ports, but you can optionally configure it to use both as computer MIDI IN ports (thus giving a total of 32 MIDI IN channels). However, if you did that you would then have no MIDI OUT ports. MIDI OUT ports are needed if, and only if, you have any MIDI devices for Hauptwerk to control, such as solenoid-operated/illuminated draw-knobs/tabs, illuminated pistons, or LCD panels.
In Hauptwerk v6+ if you can change MIDI interfaces you don't need to auto-detect your MIDI settings again, so there would be little to lose by trying the ESI MIDI interface (or indeed any other reputable brand's, such as Roalnd's or iConnectivity's) if you wanted to.
Best regards, Martin.
Hauptwerk software designer/developer, Milan Digital Audio.