I’m just starting to dabble in connecting stuff up with midi and almost immediately find myself wanting to use a combined midi merge and thru but no one seems to make one so am I missing something important?
As an example, say I have two controllers to play four or five synths. I assume if I wanted my controllers to both access all the synths, I need to merge their outputs (no thrus available on the controllers) but then I need to take a single output from the midi merge and send that into a midi thru to connect to all the synths (again, for simplicity assume no thrus on the synths, no daisy chaining).
Is the only option to buy separate merge and thru boxes or does someone make a combined merge/thru box that I’m failing to unearth on Google. Is combing midi merge and thru a no-no and I’m just an idiot for even contemplating it?
Happy to be schooled here so have at it and don’t worry about my feelings 
You can get an old Emagic AMT8 or Unitor8 which does exactly that. An 8 to 8 merge/thru. Or the USB-Powered MT4 which is a 2 to 4 merge/thru. They’re basically indestructible. Great devices.
I’m using a Blokas Midihub for all sorts of merge/thru and filtering activities. You can create all sorts of midi pipes to make it do all sorts of neat things
another Blokas Midihub user here - I can’t recommend it highly enough
it’s capable of handling all sorts of utility-type tasks like providing multiple MIDI “Thru” ports or merging MIDI inputs (or both Thru and Merge simultaneously), and also capable of lots of musical tasks (force-to-scale, arpeggiator, microtuning, tempo division, etc.)
If you don’t mind going used (and a little bit on the older side, relatively speaking) rack mount midi patchbays are usually great for this. I’ve had a few that will allow all sorts of filtering and presets though these days I’m using a really simple kawaii mav8 that would do what you need. I got it a couple years ago for something like $30.
Thanks for the pointers girls/boys…having some system names makes searching sooooo much easier.
I see some of the older rack mount solutions second hand at reasonable prices but I have very little space.
The Blokus Midihub looks rather interesting if a little pricey. Off to do more homework.
I love the MIDIHub. Just wish it had a USB host port for plugging in USB MIDI devices (like all 3 Digi boxes or USB only controllers).
Best thing ever is an old motu midi timepiece av usb. Couldn’t live without mine. And everything can be routed from the front panel and you don’t need a computer to do it.
I have another device that handles this for me, but definitely agree. Adding a usb-midi In would have really put the device over the top as a compact midi solution
Which device are you using for a USB MIDI host?
I was starting to put something together with a raspberry pi, but then it started getting really hot, and then I started looking at cooling… It became a bit too much of a project and I didn’t complete it
These things are ancient but they cost a pittance. Merge, thru, routing and filtering in one box. All the editing is done from the front panel, too.
The JL Cooper box does tick the boxes…sadly not so available on the second hand market here in the UK. Guess they were an American manufacturer.
I’ve also been looking at the Retrokits jawn, but it seems like it may not have as robust of filtering and such as the MIDIHub. If the MH had the USB stuff, I’d be all over it. Until then, I’ve actually found real good luck with using AUM on my iPad.
Conductive Labs MRCC.
Functionally, it’s awesome, but I hate that it’s a front-ported desk unit.
I would put it on a top shelf.
It’s been ages since I was under that part of the desk and looked at it, but it’s one of the little Kenton boxes I believe. It’s actual product name may even be “USB MIDI Host”.
I second MidiTimepiece. I have the non-USB one (dangit!), but the fact that you can program everything from the front panel is AMAZING!! so, it doesn’t need a computer at all. But of course, it is a big ol’ rackmount brick. i have one in my rack now just to split MIDi to my rackmount effects. (currently just a Quardraverb but conceivably i could score some dusty nuggets.)
I was in a similar position years ago and someone recommended a Motu MidiExpressXT.
The “Live Keyboards” preset was exactly what I needed.
Found an old one pre usb for $40, works GREAT.
Thanks for highlighting some of the options out there…that really helped.
I ended up going for the Blokas Midihub as it ticked off the basics of what I needed but clearly also delivers a whole lot of exploration and experimentation.
I’m not sure if this is a good thing or a rabbit hole of procrastination…