Hi, I have two Syntakts. I’m thinking about buying some MIDI controllers to control each part of the Syntakts. As an option, I’ve looked at the Faderfox, but my budget is somewhat more limited. I bought two second-hand Evolution UC-33e controllers, but I have a problem. When I try to send MIDI sync from one Syntakt to the other through the Evolution UC-33e controller, I can’t get it to transmit the MIDI clock information. Reading the instructions for it, I discovered that it doesn’t have a MIDI clock option. As a second option, to try to solve this, I bought a USB MIDI host on AliExpress, but it didn’t work either.
I would love to have a fader, a pad for muting, and two keys to assign some FX or synth, for each of its 12 parts. Which USB MIDI host do you recommend that transmits MDI clock/sync information?
Hi, you should be able to use a. DIN MIDI splitter (for simple clock sync I think a split cable would be fine) and then a midi merger to bring the signals back together.
Couple of extra cables but a host which sends clock is pretty specific. A plexus midi hub should be able to act as a host and pass clock but it may be more than you need and sets you back $200 plus any shipping or fees.
I bought a used merger for around $35usd on reverb, obviously you can get better ones. A splitter cable, 5-10 dollars. Even a proper splitter (thru) box could be obtained for 20-40 or up to $100+ depending on new/used, brand and quality.
So, do it the way you’re proposing and it uses less peripherals but costs more, or deal with more boxes and invest roughly $50-100 depending on if you want, very basic or slightly less basic.
That’s my take on it at least. Not sure a less expensive host device which caries clock is available. Maybe.
Just to clarify though, you specifically want it to be a USB midi host, correct?
I picked up a CME H4 MIDI recently and have been very happy with it.
The filtering/routing options seem pretty powerful, and in addition to the on-board presets, it can be adjusted via a phone app (with a USB-C connection) rather than requiring a computer.
Thanks for your reply, I was actually thinking about a USB MIDI host to use two Akai MIDI Mixers in each Syntakt. The problem comes when the MIDI clock output of the first Syntakt enters the USB host that I bought, to transmit it to the second Syntakt. I don’t have synchronization through the USB host.
I use a Retrokits RK-006 for portable setups. Very flexible, small and good value. It can generate clock itself, and pass clock selectively with basic filtering options (but no advanced midi transformations like note to cc etc). You do need a computer to configure it, but one you’ve saved your presets you can change them on the unit without the computer.
A key difference between this and many competitors is that is can also output sync/pulse (e.g to sync Pocket Operators and older / midi-less gear that can only take sync) which may or may not be relevant for you.
additionally, you can clockshift each output in ms (-64ms to +64ms) fixed or via midi cc in realtime. the rk006 is a game changer in the studio and on stage - at least for me!
Thank you very much for your reply, I bought the UC33, in the instructions I read that it only transmitted MIDI clock/sync if it worked through USB, that’s why I bought a cheap USB MIDI host. Actually my intention is to carry both Syntakt and a Model Cycles in a suitcase for live shows and control each part with some kind of MIDI fader, the drawback with the UC 33 is its size, the Akay MIDIMix is small, cheap and has a lot of controls to assign, my intention is to use 2 units for each Syntakt, I really liked the H4MIDI WC, it’s what I need and it’s also cheap.