PCI-MIDI vs USB-MIDI?

[Göran Nordberg]

Hello Folks!
Comparison, PCI-MIDI and USB-MIDI?
I have an old Creative SoundBlaster card lying around here, could that MIDI port be used for something useful?
I have so many USB ports in use now and only one port is USB3.
USB-MIDI 8x8, USB-MIDI keyboard, USB-NanoKontrol, USB-HUB with 4 ports, mouse and keyboard.
The only problem so far is that the mouse freezes every now and then.
PCI-USB3 with, I think it was 6 ports, would maybe be more powerful and the price is OK.
I don't know but the PCI card with MIDI port just made me wonder if you could use it for something.
Anyone using PCI-MIDI cards?

[richswit]

I have an RME PCIe card with midi that I use with my Nord keyboard (which does not have usb on it) and it works great with MWS. As a classical/jazz pianist, I've always found Bob's MWS captures every nuance of a performance.
Rich

[Microstudio]

I use the USB on my keyboard controller to control the DAW and I then use the MIDI output to control my Integra 7 the Integra 7 then hooks up to the computer via USB so my keyboard can control 2 different things.

[Göran Nordberg]

In fact, my MIDI controller/keyboard Behringer UMX490 has both MIDI and USB, so I might be able to use MIDI as well.

[Göran Nordberg]

I use the USB on my keyboard controller to control the DAW and I then use the MIDI output to control my Integra 7 the Integra 7 then hooks up to the computer via USB so my keyboard can control 2 different things.

Good idea, using it that way.

[Göran Nordberg]

I have an RME PCIe card with midi that I use with my Nord keyboard (which does not have usb on it) and it works great with MWS. As a classical/jazz pianist, I've always found Bob's MWS captures every nuance of a performance.
Rich

Well...good to know, MIDI from/to sound card is still something to consider.

[mr_es335]

Göran,

I would like to address your concerns in turn...

C1: I have an old Creative SoundBlaster card lying around here, could that MIDI port be used for something useful?
R1: Creative went through many, many iterations of their devices. Some "Okay!" "Some "Not Okay!"
* If the card is a SoundBlaster or a SoundBlaster 16...these cards were not the greatest....especially if the card is PCI.

C2: I have so many USB ports in use now and only one port is USB3.
R2: Okay??

C3: USB-MIDI 8x8, USB-MIDI keyboard, USB-NanoKontrol, USB-HUB with 4 ports, mouse and keyboard.
R3: I personally DO NOT recommend the use of USB Hubs...especially non-powered hubs!
* May I ask what the purpose IS of employing a hub? USB...in-and-of-itself, is not the greatest connectivity methodology, so why exacerbate the problem?

C4: The only problem so far is that the mouse freezes every now and then.
R4: Is the mouse connected to the hub? Is the mouse cabled/non-cabled?
* Connect the mouse directly to the motherboard...black is preferred. Observe the results?

C5: PCI-USB3 with, I think it was 6 ports, would maybe be more powerful and the price is OK.
R5: Not following you here, Göran? Is this a question?
* PCIe UBB3 cards are okay...as long are you using an "additional power" source.

C6: I don't know but the PCI card with MIDI port just made me wonder if you could use it for something.
R6: Again, this all depends on the Make/Model of the device!

C7: Anyone using PCI-MIDI cards?
R7: As with RICH, I employ an RME card [HDSP9632] with the provided "break-out cable" for MIDI...no issues that I have ever noticed!

I hope this information will be of some practicable use?

PS: Hans Zimmer employs Doepfer controllers...interesting equipment here

[Dave Labrecque]

Two questions:

1) Do you have a motherboard with a PCI slot? (I do :^) You would need that.

2) Sorry to be so ignorant on this, but does a dedicated MIDI card need a driver that works with your current OS? If so, do you have that driver?

Good luck!

[Göran Nordberg]

Two questions:

1) Do you have a motherboard with a PCI slot? (I do :^) You would need that.

2) Sorry to be so ignorant on this, but does a dedicated MIDI card need a driver that works with your current OS? If so, do you have that driver?

Good luck!

Yes, I have a motherboard with PCI slots, there are now 5 PCI slots available.
The sound card I would experiment with is a SoundBlaster Creative Live which has MIDI.
There is a driver for Windows 10, unsigned driver, I downloaded it but I haven't decided yet whether to install it or not.
I think I leave it all for now, maybe I install it the next time I clean my computer.
It's a rack mounted PC in a cabinet in a corner, have to unmount it and pull it out, ( a bit of work).
I'm not really sure if it would lighten the load on the computer, I mean there are so many USB ports in use, so I thought I could replace some USB-MIDI with PCI-MIDI if that makes any difference.
Anyway, I probably won't do anything right now.