Can digitakt 2 ever be a USB midi host?

Elektron Gear Digitakt
1

I’m wondering if it’s just out of the question that DT2 could ever be a USB midi host based on hardware?
Eg if I have a midi controller/pads that only have USB, do I basically need a midi host, or could there potentially one day be the ability for DT2 to act as midi host like other similar boxes?

2

No. It doesn’t have the hardware.

3 Likes
3

It would be relatively straightforward to get a small microcontroller like an arduino which can be programmed to act as a midi host, cut a new hole in the case for a new usb port, and wire it up to the pins on the inside of the existing midi ports. I’m thinking about doing this with a WIDI Core to add Bluetooth MIDI to my OG DT.

So yes, your DT2 could be a midi host, with the right expansion board, but not without hardware modification.

1 Like
4

I think it’s fair to say, your definition of “relatively straightforward” might differ from mine

12 Likes
5

No, it can’t. The best indicator of this is the presence of only a Usb B port, which are not used in usb hosts.

There would have to be either a usb a or c port for that

2 Likes
6

I could be wrong, but isn’t there a host/device adapter for the synthstrom deluge ? Might perhaps need firmware support, but I’m fairly sure I’ve seen it?

EDIT: I’m not talking about a full-blown host device, btw, just an adapter for the for the usual device socket (usb-b)

EDIT 2: https://synthstrom.com/product/usb-type-a-female-to-b-male-adaptor/

7

That’s wild, wonder what the USB spec says about that

8

I am like 95% sure the adaptors are all the same just different shapes. So have presence or lack of usba/c wouldn’t be enough to indicate lack of internal capabilities. I was thinking more the onboard chips would be the decider!
But I guess I’ll ping Elektron direct
Thanks all!

9

No i’m fairly certain the original intention for USB A was to provide host + power and for B to be a client and just consume. Elektron B connectors are most likely not designed to provide power (a hardware decision adhering to what i perceive is the intention and spec of USB B) and that the Deluge is one of only a few units going against this designing their hw specifically to provide power even for B connector (and thus needing to create a B->A adapter)

2 Likes
10

I’m pretty sure MPC live, which can act as a host, is non-discriminate about whether you’re using the A ports or the B port (would have to physically test to confirm), so add one more device (tentatively) to that list. But that device being more like a computer doesn’t necessarily lend credibility to DTII hardware being host capable.

11

If the DT2 could act as a USB host Elektron would definitely be mentioning it in the manual, and the blurb on the website/specs

1 Like
12

I’m not asking if it currently can. I’m asking if the hardware could feasibly support it. Which it looks like probably yes.

13

The hardware doesn’t support it and can’t support it. The port is not designed to provide host power.

3 Likes
14

I know I’m not answering the question but here is a useful bit of info.

I have a funky cable (USB-B to Lightning) I got on Amazon that lets you sample directly in the DT/DT2 via USB.

To set it up: Settings => System => USB Config => select “USB Audio/MIDI”. Then, when sampling, select “USB L R” as the Audio source.

16

Nope it works. it was my bad, I forgot to setup the port…

( I edited my original post so anyone can safely ignore this message)

1 Like
17

I do the same on android with a USB B to USB C cable. Works great