2016 NAMM Show: M-Audio has announced the MIDISport Hub 2×2 and 4×4, two MIDI interfaces with 3-port USB 3.0 powered hub.
“A quality MIDI interface is a standard tool for musicians, like a screwdriver—you need one to get the basics done,” says M-Audio’s J.C. Sutherland. “But MIDISport 2×2 and 4×4 also have a 3-port powered USB hub conveniently built in, so these are like really cool Swiss Army screwdrivers. “
MIDISport Hub 2×2 features
- 3-port USB 3.0 powered hub.
- 2×2 MIDI I/O.
- Merge/Standalone operation.
- Bus-powered when not using the hub.
- 4 dedicated signal LEDs show when MIDI information is sent and received.
MIDISport Hub 4×4 features
- 3-port USB 3.0 Powered Hub.
- 4×4 MIDI I/O.
- Bus-powered when not using the hub.
- 8 dedicated signal LEDs show when MIDI information is sent and received.
- Rugged metal chassis stands up to abuse in studio or on the road.
Pricing & Availability
The MIDISport Hub 2×2 and MIDISport Hub 4×4 will be available in Q2 2016, priced at a U.S. retail price of US $69 and $99.
Great features but ugly paint job and why no 8×8 rack mountable option?
I dont understand why someone hasn’t come out with something to rival the Motu MIDI interface line.
They’re the only ones doing rack mountable MIDI interfaces. I for one would love to upgrade my MIDI Express to something better built without a paper-behind-a-piece-of-plastic display!
ESI makes an 8-in/8-out rack-mounted MIDI interface (the ESI M8U XL) but it’s somewhat hard to get hold of in the USA. I agree there should be more options.
man you could probably fit two of the 4x4s in a single rack tray
Agree with Clark. They need to do a rack bells and whistles unit. I’d really like to replace my amt8!
Nothing very new about these.
I’ve owned / used many iterations of the MIDISport throughout the years. Despite being the cheaper/dirtier midi interfaces in the studio, they are surprisingly the most stable. Have to say it brought a smile to my face to see an update, I’ll likely pick one of these up in the future (to add to my collection).
They are great workhorses, I haven’t yet had any concerns using even the cheapo Uno to update firmware on various devices.
I like the design/color.
What is new is that it is USB 3, and that they are combining a 3-port hub with MIDI i/o.
The above Synthtopia blurb doesn’t mention if it is class-compliant plug-n-play. Sometimes M-Audio has devices that are plug-n-play (i.e., they’ll work without a driver installed) but they offer a driver installer (perhaps to unlock features? Address glitches? change settings?)
If it works with all iOS devices I’d say it’s a useful product.
Driver = Multi-client in Windows 7/8/8.1
Without driver = not multi-client
I don’t know if Windows 10 has solved this with class compliance…
Still using my MIDISport 8×8 almost a quarter century after its purchase!
my midisport 4×4 gets pretty damn tight midi on windows..
j
0=0
I have 2 of the 1×1 and a 2×2 looks like its time I sell them in preparation to buy one of the 4×4.
don’t ask me how I ended up with two 1×1 ¯\_(?)_/¯
I agree, where is the 8×8 rack version?
If only M-Audio supported their products longer I would consider their new offerings. But it seems to me that they’re dedicated to make their new stuff push their slightly older stuff outta the way, leaving users like me with dead tech boxes.
What year is this?