astroman wrote:
aside from the virtual midi cable solution, one could always plug in the 5-Pin DIN connectors directly ...
Well,- that´s what I do in addition.
P.ex., w/ a USB MIDI controller keyboard offering both, physical MIDI I/O incl. merge functionality AND USB, I connect it via USB to the computer where it´s been recognized in the VST host applications.
From there, I use the sequencer MIDI I/Os (drivers) in SCOPE environment.
That´s when SCOPE is up and a native host is running in addition.
When I want to play virtual instruments only, native VST "standalone" AND SCOPE devices simultaneously, in addition to USB, I use a physical MIDI hardware connection directly into XITE-1 MIDI-In.
In my case, there´s a Sycologic Systems M16 MIDI matrix switcher in between for the routing/muting and more than only one computer/MIDI interface combo is connected there.
The alternative is MIDIOX !
It allows using the same USB MIDI controller in Reason and via MIDIOX in any other native host simultaneously as well as in SCOPE via sequencer MIDI devices and XITE-1 physical MIDI-In.
I think it works w/ MIDEX-8 the same as with the USB MIDI controller keyboard.
I own a MIDEX-8 and still have it in stock since a 64Bit MIDI driver came up, but ditched usage for the time being.
For my 32Bit system, I use a MusicQuest (Opcode) 8portSE instead, connected to the parallel port and saving USB connections.
With Earthvegaconnections 32Bit MIDI driver it´s tighter than MIDEX-8.
With the MIDEX-8, which acts as a hub, I ran out of USB drivers ´cause there´s another multi-port hub-PCI card connected already for Reason and Syncrosoft dongles, ext. USB drives and sticks.
Definitely a individual issue depending on mobo ressources.
Because I moved into a much smaller location and have to set up my gear all new,- I think of replacing all the MIDI hardware for Copperlan and Alyseum AL-88 network boxes, but actually I´m not sure about MIDI behaviour of that hardware and Copperlan manager when installed on my machines.
In a live keyboard rig setup, where I like to use the same MIDI routing/processing system I use for the home studio, I´d also hate having a computer running all the time just only for the MIDI management.
So I´m not sure about Copperlan will be the best solution for me when using hardware instruments and modules only.
In fact I´d hate investing in Alyseum hardware, then recognizing it´s quite good but not ideal for my purpose.
Bud