MPD 24 Midi in/out

[sm00sh]

Does this defeat my need for a usb hub?

my gear:

VCI-100se, Audio 2, Macbook (2 usb slots).

any thoughts before i consider purchasing the MPD 24?

[charo]

i don't understand how it would relieve your need for a usb hub...

[JelaniRobot]

I would say buy a MPD 26, it's around the same price and way more gangsta. BTW, how do you like your Audio 2? I'm unsure between that and a FireBox.

[charo]

^ask yourself what you're needs are now and down the road, is this card living it's life in and out of a dj bag as a basic 2-channel soundcard for djing or could you also see yourself doing production stuff?

I don't think a person can really tell you one of those cards is better then the other, it depends on what you're using it for.

The firebox is a fantastic card built like a tank. With most laptops you should run it on its powercord, so that's one more thing to plug in if that matters.

[sj03w4t]

If you have midi input on your laptop, then a midi cable from MPD->laptop will work. But macbooks don't have that, and you current equipment doens't have a midi input anywhere..

So you'll need a device in between your MPD and your PC to handle the midi messages sent from the MPD. I think a usb hub is cheaper and easier.

[tigerstyle]

if you have two usb slots, you should be good to go (one for the vci, and one for the mpd). the only problem i see is perhaps a power issue depending on how demanding your usb controllers are. hope this helps, i may have misunderstood the question

[DRR]

Well I guess he is saying that using the midi in/out would alleviate the need for another usb connection.

I don't know anything about Macbooks, but I don't think they have a midi in. So you still need a USB hub.

As for getting a MPD26, sure always get the newer model if its in the same price range. The MPD has been taking price drops though since the 26 is its replacement. I have seen in mom and pop shops around me the 24 is getting reduced down into the 70-80 dollar range.

[tigerstyle]

Well I guess he is saying that using the midi in/out would alleviate the need for another usb connection.

I don't know anything about Macbooks, but I don't think they have a midi in. So you still need a USB hub.

As for getting a MPD26, sure always get the newer model if its in the same price range. The MPD has been taking price drops though since the 26 is its replacement. I have seen in mom and pop shops around me the 24 is getting reduced down into the 70-80 dollar range.

hmmm, im familiar w/ midi; but not so much with usb controllers + how they pass midi info is still new to me. perhaps, the mpd can act as a midi port for the laptop via it's usb connection?

and yea, i've been noticing the affordability of the mpd24...but the darker color of the mpd26 is so much sexier lol

[sm00sh]

I see your point either way i would need a usb->midi cable (again needing a usb port). I guess im off to research usb hubs. thanks for the advice.

and regarding the audio 2, I love this little card. ive taken this bad boy on many out many times and it works wonders. I carry the thing in my pocket so its usually no problem as far as its build. however a firewire soundcard would definitely solve my lack of usb ports!