Reddit reviews MIDI Solutions Quadra Thru

First off, don't play around with splitters. You want to get a mixer. Something simple to start with like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Alto-Professional-ZMX862-6-Channel-Channel/dp/B004TM323C/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1485432445&sr=1-1&keywords=Alto+Professional

Then to get everything synced-up, you want to use a MIDI Quadra Thru:
https://www.amazon.com/MIDI-Solutions-Quadra-4-Output-Thru/dp/B0002GH8X4/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1485432544&sr=1-1&keywords=quadra+thru

Then you will just need to get some MIDI cables and then 1/4" to 1/4" audio cables for the Monologue and 1/8" to 1/4" audio cables for your Volca Beats and Monotron as well as one to go from the mixer to your speakers (or you can use headphones by plugging into the mixer).

For syncing everything you would use a MIDI cable out from the Monologue, to the MIDI In of the MIDI Quadra Thru box. Then connect a MIDI cable to one of the MIDI Thru's to the MIDI In to each of your other devices. Now I don't own the Monologue, Volca Beats or Monotron, so there may be another way...but it should work fine the way I described.

https://www.amazon.com/MIDI-Solutions-Quadra-4-Output-Thru/dp/B0002GH8X4

You could always set them to different channels and use a thru box to hook them up.

Yeah, shoulda said. I got one of the midi solutions quadra boxes on eBay. amazon link

What you need is a MIDI through box. That was the first one that came up in my search, but you could probably find one cheaper than that.

Good point, now I am thinking about a midi box that would serve as the interface receiving MIDI clock from the drum machine and sending it to all his synths/devices.

If it doesn't echo or have that setting available, try this out, it is a One in, Four Out midi box

I'd recommend reading up on how MIDI works, because all of this setup is really basic once you understand it. But, for a short crash course, here's how it works.

MIDI can be sent and received on more than one "channel" (most devices support up to 16 channels). So, even with one signal chain, as you're describing in your post, you can send individual MIDI to each instrument.

So it works like this. You have Ableton set up with MIDI tracks for each external instrument. Each of those tracks can be set up to send data over a specific MIDI channel. So, lets say you have 3 MIDI tracks set to send on channel 1 for track 1, channel 2 for track 2, and channel 3 for track 3.

Then, take your MIDI out from your interface and chain it to all of your devices. This is the only tricky part, as some external gear doesn't have MIDI thru (which is what allows MIDI data to come in and be sent back out of a hardware instrument). Usually you can get around this by chaining them the right way, i.e. if you have an instrument without a thru port, just put it last in the chain.

So, we have a MIDI cable connecting each of our instruments, set up like this:

> Interface > Hardware #1 > Hardware #2 > Hardware #3.

Now, remember those MIDI tracks we set up in Ableton, the ones each sending to a different channel? Now we just configure each piece of hardware to accept MIDI data from only ONE of those channels. Therefore, MIDI track #2 controls whichever piece of hardware is set up to receive messages on MIDI channel 2. This way, you can send individualized MIDI data to every instrument simultaneously.

Fyi, you can do this with your Scarlett interface, the only problem you may run into is running out of audio inputs to bring the actual audio into your computer (which you can solve by getting a larger interface). Remember, MIDI is not SOUND, it's just messages telling the instrument producing the sound what to do.

Now, a MIDI Thru box (like this) simplifies that task by letting you connect all your devices directly from that box, without having to chain them through multiple instruments. The MIDI still works exactly the same way, but you reduce your chance to have latency issues, i.e. data being slow to get to each instrument. However, unless you're running a lot of external instruments at the same time, chaining MIDI using the thru ports should be just fine.

Hope this helps!

EDIT: Actually, you're Scarlett doesn't have any MIDI ports, so it can't send MIDI data, but that Behringer will do the trick.

I use a "Thru box" similar to this.

http://www.midisolutions.com/prodthr.htm

I know the MS-20 Mini is hardwired for MIDI channel 1. I don't know about the Volca's midi implementation, but as long as you can change the MIDI channel on the Volca something like that would work.

EDIT: Here is a nice one on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/MIDI-Solutions-Quadra-4-Output-Thru/dp/B0002GH8X4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419974222&sr=8-1&keywords=MIDI+thru+box

Another solution might be to go from your Roland A-800 MIDI Out to a MIDI Solutions 4-output MIDI Thru Box. (https://www.amazon.com/MIDI-Solutions-Quadra-4-Output-Thru/dp/B0002GH8X4)

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You can then route one MIDI Cable to the Reface and one to the Microsampler.

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Set the Reface to respond to MIDI Channel 1, and Microsampler to MIDI Channel 2.


You can then change the transmit channel between 1 and 2 on the Roland controller, or better yet (now that I'm looking at the A-Pro manual), change control maps between the two.

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Another option would be to program a split control map on the A-800 to use both devices - depending on the notes you need to play during a given song.

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I want to split a MIDI signal 2-3 ways (and probably more in the future). Is there any reason to grab a full splitter box rather than grabbing a simple y cable or two?

I don't feel compelled to spend more money than I have to one a little utility like this, but if it'll make a considerable difference then I'll pony up. I'll be running whichever splitter out of the back of a powered 6i6 so I don't think the powering problems with either type of splitter should be a problem.

In a Eurorack system you could use one of these: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/the-harvestman-english-tear

Or you could possibly run USB from the MS-20 Mini to a standalone MIDI host, then run a MIDI cable from the MIDI host's output to MIDI In on the Odyssey: https://www.amazon.com/Midiplus-USB-MIDI-Host-midiplus/dp/B074NGTGHN

Or there are more obscure vintage CV converters but they would be harder to track down. Apparently Korg made such a device over 40 years ago, the MS-02: http://www.cykong.com/Synths/Korg%20MS-02/KorgMS-02.htm

Or if you're good with electronics you could build your own converter. There are schematics out there: http://yusynth.net/images/CS10-EXT.pdf

Or you could use an external MIDI controller keyboard with a MIDI splitter and run 5-pin MIDI to both instruments: https://www.amazon.com/MIDI-Solutions-Quadra-4-Output-Thru/dp/B0002GH8X4

Or you could use an external controller which supports both MIDI and CV. Arturia Keystep should be able to do this.

Any solution is going to require an additional piece of gear. I suggested a computer because it's your simplest solution if you already have one.

Yes you could. With something just like this:
http://www.amazon.com/MIDI-Solutions-Quadra-4-Output-Thru/dp/B0002GH8X4/ref=sr_1_2/177-8010506-3401011?ie=UTF8&qid=1418409704&sr=8-2&keywords=midi+splitter

Sure thing! I use a usb-c hub out of the the op-z and then a usb1 to midi cable and send that out to the in of a 4 way midi splitter, and connect all the devices to that. The op-1 needs a midi usb converter, I’m using hobbytronics which works great. I then just set the proper channels (op-z sends out ch 1 kick, ch 2 snare, etc) on the devices. Also, make sure you have the midi out enabled for the OP-Z via the iOS app.

AUKEY USB C Hub with SD/TF Card Reader + 3 USB 3.0 Ports, USB C Adapter Ultra Slim for MacBook Pro 2017/2016, Huawei MateBook, Chromebook Pixel and More https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0772THNWQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HPozCb81V0P12

USB IN-OUT MIDI Cable Converter, LiDiVi Professional Piano Keyboard to PC/Laptop/Mac MIDI Adapter Cord for Home Music Studio - 6.5Ft https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071KLC884/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_BOozCbXB72KQQ

MIDI Solutions Quadra 4-Output MIDI Thru Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002GH8X4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DQozCbBD448P5

http://www.hobbytronics.co.uk/usb-midi-converter

Hope that helps. Let me know of any other questions.

By the way if you have a keystep Pro, it works great w op-z for Midi and clock I/O with one usb mini - usb c cable. And power! Portable!

Third the keystep. Not sure what is meant by reliance on DAW. Keystep plugs directly into Volcas. The only con to the keystep for my setup is that it requires USB power source. For that, just get a $10 rechargeable USB phone charger.

I have my keystep midi out going into a midi thru box https://www.amazon.com/MIDI-Solutions-Quadra-4-Output-Thru/dp/B0002GH8X4
The midi thru box plugs into each Volca and I can choose which gets Volca gets played by selecting the midi channel on the keystep. It's been working out great.

Another one https://www.amazon.com/MIDI-Solutions-Quadra-4-Output-Thru/dp/B0002GH8X4/

https://www.amazon.com/MIDI-Solutions-Quadra-4-Output-Thru/dp/B0002GH8X4 or https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M3RH5GI/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1485900377&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=midi+y+splitter&dpPl=1&dpID=41GqGSevW2L&ref=plSrch

I think you want a midi splitter from the esp-1.
Like this,
https://www.amazon.com/MIDI-Solutions-Quadra-4-Output-Thru/dp/B0002GH8X4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474387918&sr=8-1&keywords=midi+splitter

Any recommended hardware for splitting the MIDI out of the Octatrack to three hardware synths with 5-pin MIDI inputs (Mother 32, Microbrute, and Volca Bass). This is all I've found, and am wondering if I'm missing something.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002GH8X4

How cheap is super cheap? The best I can find is a four-way splitter for $50: http://www.amazon.com/MIDI-Solutions-Quadra-4-Output-Thru/dp/B0002GH8X4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395085972&sr=8-1&keywords=midi+thru

It looks like you could record up to four mono inputs on that interface so you're good on that front unless you want to record more tracks at once. It also has MIDI I/O so you can just chain MIDI devices together if they have MIDI Thru ports. Unfortunately your Volcas do not have thru ports, only inputs, so you'll need a MIDI Thru box like this, it's basically a MIDI splitter.

>Also, once you are triggering a Volca with midi in Ableton is it possible to the automate the volca parameters in an Ableton automation lane? Or can you only record that in real time as audio?

I'm not a 100% sure about all of them but a quick google search shows the Volca Sample does. I don't which ones you have but you want to google for "device + midi implementation" so like "volca beats midi implementation"