Been trying to figure this out for ages:
I don’t want to use a DAW on a computer, but I do want to connect my devices in a flexible way. Right now my Digitakt goes to my synths through a (DIN) MIDI Thru, but that’s already hitting limits.
I’d like to:
-Connect up to 7 devices. None of those are DIN-MIDI only.
-hook USB midi up, like an Akai MPK mini, and my Zoom effects pedal
-have flexible, reliable routing
-Not spend 300+ for something like an iConnectivity Mio.
Bome Box with an Overhub seems like it’d cover it, but that would already be 270 or more. I’m OK with fiddling, programming and even soldering, so I thought maybe a Raspberry Pi with a USB hub or even a USB-DIN interface could solve it, but there’s not super much info: seems like way more people opt for things like Bome, Blokas, iConnectivity.
Any thoughts?
Raspberry Pi can certainly do this. I’ve just not tried it with a hub. I can test when I get home. It works flawlessly as a MIDI hub/router though. I used this image with mine:
I use a Korg Nanokontrol2 and my Red Panda Particle v2. I’ve had a Digitone connected to it as well. Again, just not sure how it would all work with a USB hub attached but I can test when I get home.
I can’t imagine the hub would be the stumbling block? I guess it’s safest to use Overhub as that has Multiple Transaction or whatever, but should be pretty standard. Would be good to hear from you if it works!
And thanks for the link, Google had not yielded me that yet, sounds promising!
MTT I think is only relevant to the USB 2.0 standard. The only reason I could see a hub being an issue in this setup is that the Pi needs to see the connected device so it can setup the automatic routing. It may not be able to do this if the device is sitting behind a USB hub.
No USB Host on the midihub though, seems overpriced for just the flexible routing.
Don’t see the point in the PiSound’s audio out, not really for my usecase. And then 99 is a lot for just 2 DIN serial ports, I could solder that myself.
That Raspberry Pi link I sent shows you how to code it all if you want so you can understand what’s going on. You can also just flash it to an SD Card and test it. It works flawlessly. Literally just power it on and plug things in. It’s about as cost effective a solution as you’re going to find If you have an rPi already it would take you less than 15 minutes to test.
As for the PiSound, it’s pretty pricey. If you wanted to go that route then the link I posted can walk you through the short bits of code needed for the MIDI hub auto-detect and routing.
I can test the device connections behing a USB hub in about 2 hours for you.
Thinking a pi would work, I made a little Pi box with a USB hub board added (for 4 more ports). Pretty straightforward but still fiddly. Then the time in setting up Pi as the midi host on startup etc. The biggest issue was startup time though, it just still felt like I was waiting on a computer and that’s what I was avoiding!
So I ordered one of these and it’s amazing:
Similar to the MidiHub but cheaper I think, and has a USB host built in. Turns on instantly. Lots of configuration options. You can connect so much stuff! Couldn’t be happier.
Fair point about the startup time @dontlament , but I don’t usually move the setup. Also I think I’d be able to pull off some startup speed optimisations, I’ve configured Rpi’s before for much harder stuff than this. But good to know a USB hub works as I expected.
Oh and thanks for the offer, I think you’re in Australia though, doesn’t make sense to send to Europe You should use it for something else, there’s so much you can do with them (if you like that sort of tinkering)!
Just want to come back to say this works without much hassle. The startup time is negligible for me.
Running it headless, with all midi connections sending messages to each other is a bit crazy though, you have to really set up your devices well, but it probably make more sense to hook the Rpi up to a screen and set ALSA Midi up with some limits for a bit more control. My microfreak did seem to grab some ghost param changes which it doesn’t get over DIN midi, but then again they are known for being prone to that.
Also used Overhub for this, not super impressed with its build quality, the back USB connector came clean off the PCB and I had to resolder it, plus the fasteners used to put the case together were obviously the wrong type (coarse screws instead of fine thread bolts).
I just discovered the Pi midi hub thing and loaded it up on my unused Pi3. It works fine with my Digi series stuff, but not my iPad, which is somewhat expected. Is there a way to get my iPad midi apps to work with the pi?
If you have an rPi already it would take you less than 15 minutes to test.
You should use it for something else, there’s so much you can do with them (if you like that sort of tinkering)!