For many people the last thing that gets added to their ever expanding MIDI studio is actually the single most important item of all, the bit that really makes a MIDI studio happen. I'm talking about the lowly MIDI converter. Now, more than ever, responsible for much more than just getting data into and out of the computer.

Starting out life as a simple interface between two crucially important new tools for the modern musician, the Musical Instrument Digital Interface and personal computer, the item in question did little more than act as a high speed translator between the two alien entities. But now, with most electronic musical instruments consisting of little more than half space rack mountable boxes, the musician is now faced with hooking up a myriad of all the separate components as well as being expected to command each exclusively at any one point in time, often from one single controller keyboard.

This is where MIDI Express XT from MOTU enters the picture.

After installing one into our rack of various MIDI devices we all decided that life had to have been a lot more complicated and confusing than we had ever realized. All of a sudden all the separate modules were under our complete control, and best of all a single cable connected them to the Mac, which could even be allowed to sleep while we laughed at the simplicity and versatility of the onboard router.

With eight MIDI ins and outs we were able to quickly and easily connect components to the interface, which is Macintosh and Wintel compatible at the press of a button.

Next came the selection of the ideal preset, of which there are a total of sixteen, eight factory and eight user programmable. These alone really make this a must have item, with the user able to select any number of patch configurations without, as I mentioned earlier, the computer even having to be up and running (although you'll be even happier while it is because software in the form of a fully functional virtual control panel comes included).

Needless to say the Express XT is aimed squarely at everyone from the novice upwards. In fact anyone who has more than one MIDI module and a controller to grapple with should seriously consider escaping from planet One In And Three Out as soon as possible before being forced to.

Specifications:
Custom-designed VLSI technology, Front panel SMPTE stripe button, Front panel SMPTE lock and tach LED's, Status lights for MIDI IN/OUT and computers, Panic button, 17 MIDI connectors (including a MIDI In and an Out port on the front panel), 2 SMPTE quarter-inch phone (line level), 1 pedal quarter-inch phone input (configurable for switch pedal or click-to-MIDI conversion), 2 Mac mini-DIN 8 serial, 1 IEC power connector (switchable 115V - 220V) plus Software console for Macintosh and Windows.

To contact Mark Of The Unicorn check out their entry in our Manufacturers department.

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