Corrected
you might be right, apparently no so common as I though…
In the Model´s it was a clever decision by Elektron: if you buy a Model you might also have other small/portable synths (Volcas, mini-Rolands, mini-trackers, etc…) which all use TRS midi, so you will need a device that can communicate with all of them using just a stereo cable + Auto Midi A<->B detect.
Some of the tiny Rolands, Aria I think, can pull the auto detect trick also I think…
5-pin DIN is also multi-purpose, just saying
The standard is A. Just avoid buying from the few companies that insist on using B or complain directly to them.
1/8 inch jacks are so much easier for plugging and unplugging and the cables are more compact/light.
I hate scratched up DIN midi ports from people sticking in the cables the wrong way. I far prefer 1/8 inch jacks for midi.
I mean, aye… but the standard wasn’t agreed upon for years, so even if you implement some kind of weird boycott based on modern TRS implementation, that doesn’t really work for any of the numerous device that were produced before that.
Aside from Elektron Models the only other device I’m aware of is the 1010 Bluebox which can accept either on its input, but on its output only has type B, better than nothing.
Except minijack midi!
Fin is the smart one!
The only scenario where 5-pin DIN is superior to TRS midi is if you happen to travel back in time to the 1950’s or 1960’s and need to plug your gear for a jam.
1010music nano boxes can switch the input automatically. For output you have to use the config menu.
The Vongon Replay does it.
What companies even use the B standard? I bet you can count them all with one hand.
BOSS. But only because they aren’t called AOSS.
You can always check: https://minimidi.world/
I’m genuinely surprised anyone likes minijack midi.
They’re so much easier to deal with in actual use imo.
As I noted: There are lots of devices which were produced prior to the adoption of the standard that use type B. Since that came in, most manufactuers switched to type A, though others have stuck to B to maintain compatibility across their product range, e.g. Polyend.
…
…
How old so you think MIDI is?
Polyend was actually the only one I could think of and was hoping for more examples.
Damn… now I know where they took their inspiration
not midi, that chunky cable:
Not sure of others that still use Type B off the top of my head! There are loads of legacy devices (which aren’t that old) which use it though, which remains the cross which I am forced to bear every day.