iConnectivity mioXM

I have a few different pieces of MIDI equipment and I want them all to be able to talk to each other. Some of my gear uses USB for both communicating and powering (I have a couple of CME X-Keys, an Arturia Beatstep and a Beatstep Pro).

Thomann have a good range of MIDI interfaces but I realised I need something that can *host* usb MIDI devices. This is a specific and important term to understand. Some of the usb interfaces will be passive, they can carry a usb signal if your MIDI device is already powered, but will be useless for anything unpowered.

That's where this little box of wonders comes in, it has assignable inputs and outputs in the traditional 5-pin MIDI format but also has four usb Host slots for your unpowered usb MIDI gear. Now I can connect two X-keys to multiple synths / sound modules and have drum pads and sequencer controlling a drum machine. There are opportunities for creating more advanced MIDI routing, including creating virtual MIDI assignments, but I've not needed to use those yet.

This hub comes in a larger size which I would consider if I ever need to expand my MIDI connections as I add new gear, but for the moment this smaller size has enough assignable inputs and outputs for my needs, and its small size means it can sit under my screen stand without cluttering up my already busy desk.

The software for assigning MIDI routing is really easy to use and allows you to prevent cross-talk. By that I mean you can have keyboards sending note messages to multiple synths but not a drum machine (for example) and some MIDI pads sending note information to a drum machine but not synths.

Do be aware there may be limitations on compatibility with certain usb gear. For example a Launchpad X doesn't work with this, you would need the Launchpad Pro. I don't know why this happens, I'm not an expert in MIDI programming. Best to check with manufacturers or look in some MIDI forums if you're in doubt.

You'll struggle to find something that this midi box doesn't do compared to other midi boxes. Prepare for your head to explode with the setup process if you're using it within a complex band setup though. The amount of routing options is overwhelming and the interface isn't at all intuitive. It doesn't just work right out of the box, but if you're into midi then you probably expect that.

I have 2 sets of equipment - one is portable for live performances - this is a drum machine that can act as a MIDI Clock source, and this is a looper, which in some cases is preferable to synchronize with, and this is a MIDI controller that can reprogram for the current task, and this is MIDI-controlled equipment - harmonizer, vocal processor, etc. Here MioXM is mounted on a pedalboard and switching to the desired configuration is done by pressing the corresponding button on it, quickly and conveniently.
It fits in the lower tier of the RockBoard pedalboard in place of the patchbay, but I had to widen the window a little :). And you need a good power supply - Cioks Crux for example.
The second set of equipment is a synthesizer rack, mixers and a DAW controller. All of them are also connected via a second MioXM. If I need to combine desktop and portable equipment, I simply connect both MioXMs with an Ethernet cable and select the desired configuration on them, in which all the necessary routes and filters are configured.
It is impossible to build such solutions on the known MIDI Merge and MIDI Thru equipment. For complex solutions for constructing MIDI networks, MioXM/MioXL is indispensable and absolutely recommended.