MOTU MIDI Express XT Review
8x8 USB MIDI Interface
- 8 Input / 8 Output
- SMPTE Timecode
- MIDI Machine Control
- MIDI Time Stamping
- Mac OS X
- Windows Vista/7
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 4 of 4 Reviews
A Product That Flatters to Deceive
MOTU MIDI Express XT - USB MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Seth on B&H Photo Video
I bought this unit brand new from B&H around May 2012 with the intention of using its reputed midi patchbay capabilities. However, repeated attempts to send sysex information (song files) to and from an external sequencer and a drum machine (both of which are working perfectly) have been totally unsuccessful. I quickly realised that I was not doing anything wrong and that it was the XT which was the culprit -- it in some way corrupts the information and renders it useless, shutting down the sequencer and drummachine in the process. (By contrast, the same sysex info. is transferred flawlessly by an Edirol UM-550, a M-Audio Midisport 8x8/s, and a M-Audio Midisport 4x4.) In my conversations with their tech support, MOTU has acknowledged that there is a software problem at the root of this issue. However, though they promised to work on a solution and to keep me informed, this is yet to happen over 18 months later. Surely customers who have forked out big bucks for their products deserve better treatment? All in all, MOTU is the worst tech company I have ever dealt with and the MIDI Express XT the worst buy I ever made. An utter waste of money if you want to use it as a patchbay / router. I would strongly advise anyone thinking of purchasing it to not do so. ... More
Sysex Corruption
MOTU MIDI Express XT - USB MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Lee on B&H Photo Video
Bought this to function as both a standalone MIDI patchbay, as well as a USB MIDI interface. It corrupts SysEx messages from both my Moog Subsequent 37, as well as my DSI Tetra. After many, many hours spent with technical support from Moog, DSI and MOTU over four years, turns out there is a reproducible bug where the MOTU simply fails to transmit the data it receives correctly. Given that a MIDI interface has exactly one job - transmitting MIDI data - and the MIDI spec has been relatively unchanged for over thirty years, this is really poor. MOTU have not come to the party to fix this bug, and I have an expensive interface sitting in a cupboard. It also suffers from high MIDI latency and OS X over USB, in my experience. But this may be isolated to my particular installation. I've reverted to an an ancient MIDI Timepiece AV for MIDI patchbay duties, and it's infinitely better. If you do anything with SysEx, avoid this product at all costs. I've sold every piece of my MOTU gear as it's all been buggy ... More
Rock Solid Timing
MOTU MIDI Express XT - USB MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Camilo on B&H Photo Video
The MOTU MIDI Express XT is an excellent MIDI interface. Currently using it with Pro Tools controlling various synths and sending MIDI Beat Clock to an MPC, and so far the performance is tight, snappy, fast, accurate. The MOTU MIDI driver was easy to install (and still supported). The USB connection goes straight into my 2013 Mac Pro (no USB hubs in the middle). Also having a power on/off button seems to be a rarity (most MIDI interfaces are USB powered) but something I like. Don't have any SYSEX experiences with it, but controlling synths and sending MIDI Beat Clock to an MPC has been just excellent! ... More
It Just WORKS
MOTU MIDI Express XT USB MIDI Interface
Reviewed by Istvan peter B. on Reverb
Bought this to replace my ancient MOTU MTP AV USB which doesn't seem to connect to the M1 Mac. I Got the new MIDI Express XT, switched the cables, made sure the MOTU drivers were updated, turned it on, restarted, and POOF! It just works. Love MOTU. This unit allows up to 8 pieces of MIDI gear to connect with your studio using the older MIDI cables, uses MIDI time-stamping for more accurate timings (USB ruined timings, serial was FAR tighter). All PROS, I can see no CONS.
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