Vintage Synth Explorer Forums

Is there a simple small standalone box or device with a MIDI out port that can play a .MID file stored on an inserted memory card or USB stick? Sometimes I don't have the need to carry around my sequencer to rehearsal (like when I don't need to do any editing) and it would be great if I could run all of my sequenced songs off as .MID files and then stick them on a card and then plug this into my synth/drum machine setup and play them, running through a playlist of .MID files.

I know they make this sort of box for playing video files/mp3 etc on a TV set without a computer - I wondered if a similar box for MIDI exists. I already have an Alesis Datadisk rack unit which does exactly as described but saves files to floppy disk - I don't want to rely on floppies, plus something smaller tham a rack would be cool - even better if it has a remote, like the multimedia box described does. And battery powered would be nice.

I suppose iPhones or iPods or the like could do it - do they have any MIDI out adapter?

Cheers, Graham

gmeredith wrote:...I suppose iPhones or iPods or the like could do it - do they have any MIDI out adapter?

Yeah, here's a new MIDI box just released, looks good.

http://www.sonicstate.com/news/2011/01/ ... interface/

http://www.iConnectivity.com

Roland makes several products which will do exactly this without the need for a computer or iPad/iPhone, etc. Both of their new products from NAMM should be suitable.

VIMA JM-5: http://www.rolandus.com/products/produc ... uctId=1161
BK-7m Backing Module: http://www.rolandus.com/products/produc ... arentId=20

The Sonic Cell will also do this.

A couple of things to check for: Make sure the Playlist functionality works the way you want (no stops or gaps between files, etc). Also, make sure the proper MIDI sync support is supported. I think on the Sonic Cell the device doesn't output a MIDI clock when playing SMF which is stupid. Alternatively, if you need to slave to external MIDI clock, make sure that capability exists.

Also, lots of consumer MIDI keyboards from Casio, Yamaha, have this capability.

Cool! I'll have to keep my eye on this - could be what I need. Thanks!