Post by ninworks on Jan 22, 2022 11:21:25 GMT -5
MOTU (Mark Of The Unicorn) has my vote for being the nicest gear manufacturer on the planet.
I have an old MOTU MIDI Express XT, MIDI patch bay, that I bought a long long time ago in the early 2000's to use with my Windows XP computer and audio setup. It has 8 separate MIDI inputs and 9 MIDI outputs that can be routed for any combination of MIDI devices imaginable. Those routings can be saved as presets and recalled by either front panel buttons, MIDI Controller messages, or by using their own software that came with the unit. This unit was designed for use with complex, multi-MIDI instrument setups when doing extensive MIDI sequencing using external hardware synths with computers. It also has SMPTE Time Code Read/Write capability. By using that it supported sync'ing computer-based MIDI sequencing with analog tape machines. Something I used to do back when I had my old FAT-MAC computer and multi-track tape machines in the 80's and 90's.
My MIDI setup had gotten much simpler over the decades due to internal computer software developments allowing everything to be done "in the box" and as such didn't require more than just a single MIDI input for my controller keyboard to trigger internal synths and sample players. I sold all but one of my hardware MIDI synths years ago. At that point I stopped using this device and it has resided in my closet ever since then. Recently I decided to hook up my one, remaining, old synth to use it as a second MIDI controller along side my main MIDI controller keyboard. I have also configured my old outdated Windows XP computer to use as a synth/sample player via MIDI. This setup requires more than one MIDI input and output on my recording interface. I was also going to need to be able to change the MIDI I/O routing depending upon whatever recording situation I was needing at any time. I decided to revisit the MOTU unit to see if I could use it. That's what it was designed for.
Much to my amazement MOTU is still manufacturing this device just as it was back then. They have updated the firmware, operational software, and drivers, so that it can be utilized in ANY Windows or Mac environment. How freakin cool is THAT?!! They didn't just discontinue the old hardware and release a new model that was incompatible with old OS's and computer formats. That is unheard of in today's pro audio and electronic instrument manufacturing industry.
I downloaded all the new software for it, hooked it up, installed the new drivers, and updated the firmware and software. It works perfectly. Their internal software even looks like and operates the same as the old versions so I didn't have to relearn how to operate it. I mean....COME ON! That's unheard of!!! It hasn't hurt MOTU's business any. They have expanded and are continuing to be a large market share holder in the pro audio industry by using this business model. What's wrong with the rest of them that they can't see the advantages of this type of continued support. It makes me want to give MOTU a big hug.
I have an old MOTU MIDI Express XT, MIDI patch bay, that I bought a long long time ago in the early 2000's to use with my Windows XP computer and audio setup. It has 8 separate MIDI inputs and 9 MIDI outputs that can be routed for any combination of MIDI devices imaginable. Those routings can be saved as presets and recalled by either front panel buttons, MIDI Controller messages, or by using their own software that came with the unit. This unit was designed for use with complex, multi-MIDI instrument setups when doing extensive MIDI sequencing using external hardware synths with computers. It also has SMPTE Time Code Read/Write capability. By using that it supported sync'ing computer-based MIDI sequencing with analog tape machines. Something I used to do back when I had my old FAT-MAC computer and multi-track tape machines in the 80's and 90's.
My MIDI setup had gotten much simpler over the decades due to internal computer software developments allowing everything to be done "in the box" and as such didn't require more than just a single MIDI input for my controller keyboard to trigger internal synths and sample players. I sold all but one of my hardware MIDI synths years ago. At that point I stopped using this device and it has resided in my closet ever since then. Recently I decided to hook up my one, remaining, old synth to use it as a second MIDI controller along side my main MIDI controller keyboard. I have also configured my old outdated Windows XP computer to use as a synth/sample player via MIDI. This setup requires more than one MIDI input and output on my recording interface. I was also going to need to be able to change the MIDI I/O routing depending upon whatever recording situation I was needing at any time. I decided to revisit the MOTU unit to see if I could use it. That's what it was designed for.
Much to my amazement MOTU is still manufacturing this device just as it was back then. They have updated the firmware, operational software, and drivers, so that it can be utilized in ANY Windows or Mac environment. How freakin cool is THAT?!! They didn't just discontinue the old hardware and release a new model that was incompatible with old OS's and computer formats. That is unheard of in today's pro audio and electronic instrument manufacturing industry.
I downloaded all the new software for it, hooked it up, installed the new drivers, and updated the firmware and software. It works perfectly. Their internal software even looks like and operates the same as the old versions so I didn't have to relearn how to operate it. I mean....COME ON! That's unheard of!!! It hasn't hurt MOTU's business any. They have expanded and are continuing to be a large market share holder in the pro audio industry by using this business model. What's wrong with the rest of them that they can't see the advantages of this type of continued support. It makes me want to give MOTU a big hug.
