I'm checking out a lower budget alternative to edirol's midi/usb interface that would connect an old roland jv30 to a Mac G4. My local electronics surplus store reckons that a couple of cables connected does the trick. Is this possible? robv

Heh of course not - don't let them try too, they'll fry your ports! -

I don't know any very cheap USB<-> MIDI, however there are a few keyboards & audio 'cards' that do it now as extra.
I have an Roland (Edirol) SC8820 (usb) that has 2 ins + 2 outs
An EZBus (event) that has 2 ins + 2 outs
An MK-225C (Evolution) keyboard that has 1 out

Also, it is 'rumored' a new firmware of the Akai Z4/Z8 will do that too, tough I wouldn't call that a 'cheap' solution <g>

So, it appears to be quite trendy ;-)

Thanks for the warning, i'll proceed with a legit adapter without fear of frying
cheers robv

The midiman line is not too bad and not too expencive. I use the midiman 2x2 midisport ($70), and have been satisfied with it. Of cource I could now use a 4x4 or an 8x8...go figure!

Oooops beware of the M-audio (ex midiman) you're lucky to have no problem at all Kaboom, users complain here regularly (they should pay a good developer for their drivers!)

I know first hand that the midi on some small intefaces they do is noisy to a great extent. If you want to use a Nord Modular in particular or any midi touchy device, keep clear from it.

Users from Edirol seem to be happy people

activate the search button, it can make wonders

about the case of the cables and your local electronic surplus, well, they should return play their playstation or Unreal… Don't try this at home!

No time like the presant to get stuff moved into it's new spot!

I have read alot of the posts concerning the problems with midiman. It is true that getting it to work was not easy! But my problems lies with OMS more than the M-audio drivers. I do believe that most problems occoring using midi man (if not most midi - USB converters) lies in OMS.

It is true that I don't know anything about Editrol, but it appears that not only do you have to by the midi interface, it seems that they mumble about having to also buy some sort of additional hardware!?

MOTU's Fastlane has 2 in and 2 out (plus a Thru switch for controlling another synth/module through it when the computer isn't on), goes for around $70.00 street price, and seems to work fine in both OSes--no muss, no fuss.

I don't know which Edirol unit you were referring to, but their UM-1 and UM-15 are each one-in one-out and are probably the least expensive usb><MIDI interfaces on the block, both of 'em touted as being OS 9.x and OS X compatible:

http://www.edirol.com/products/midi.html