I have recently seen on others forums, people asking if anyone knows anything about these,
are they any good, etc.
In short, no they are not.
I recently tried the newer database of patches for my SY35, which discovered what the merge 5 was incapable of.
Sending SYSEX data.
The Merge-5, unlike the Midi solutions mergers, does not filter out active sense, this what helped discover the fault.
The output one of my merge 5 was connected to a midi thru expander (which is a solid performer) which has a red activity LED on it.
This shows the active sense being sent from pc by flashing dimly.
However when a sysex dump is sent, even just for a single patch which for an SY35 is a mere 1Kb,
the activity light on the expander shows nothing.
This is because the Merge 5 has crashed. Cycling the power restores its function.
Crashing on sending 1Kb of sysex data makes this a good paper weight.
This was tested with my SY35/77/85 and JV2080.
DoreMIDI Merge-5 at $110aud, is no better than the $9 USB midi nasties found on Amazon/Ebay with it's lack of sysex ability.
These mergers are capable of basic note on/off and typical performance data, not much else. sometimes
there can be hanging notes, SY77 in particular.
These units are powered by a USB socket, which confuses people into thinking these are a USB hub, which they are not.
If connected to a PC for power, these can create a midi zipper noise through the audio, of the instrument the DIN is connected to.
These are best powered by a mains USB 5v adapter, basically a 5v phone charger.
Why the use of a USB socket for power is beyond me, it should've been a typical 2.5mm barrel jack socket.
Buyer beware, and for me, buyers remorse. I spent the money so you don't have to![:lol:]( "Laughing")
Save yourselves the hassle and look at buying something recognised and reputable. The midi solutions mergers,
(as I have just done![:wink:]( "Wink")
) or those by Kenton for example.
I'll see how well the MS 4 into 2 performs later in the week when it arrives.
are they any good, etc.
In short, no they are not.
I recently tried the newer database of patches for my SY35, which discovered what the merge 5 was incapable of.
Sending SYSEX data.
The Merge-5, unlike the Midi solutions mergers, does not filter out active sense, this what helped discover the fault.
The output one of my merge 5 was connected to a midi thru expander (which is a solid performer) which has a red activity LED on it.
This shows the active sense being sent from pc by flashing dimly.
However when a sysex dump is sent, even just for a single patch which for an SY35 is a mere 1Kb,
the activity light on the expander shows nothing.
This is because the Merge 5 has crashed. Cycling the power restores its function.
Crashing on sending 1Kb of sysex data makes this a good paper weight.
This was tested with my SY35/77/85 and JV2080.
DoreMIDI Merge-5 at $110aud, is no better than the $9 USB midi nasties found on Amazon/Ebay with it's lack of sysex ability.
These mergers are capable of basic note on/off and typical performance data, not much else. sometimes
there can be hanging notes, SY77 in particular.
These units are powered by a USB socket, which confuses people into thinking these are a USB hub, which they are not.
If connected to a PC for power, these can create a midi zipper noise through the audio, of the instrument the DIN is connected to.
These are best powered by a mains USB 5v adapter, basically a 5v phone charger.
Why the use of a USB socket for power is beyond me, it should've been a typical 2.5mm barrel jack socket.
Buyer beware, and for me, buyers remorse. I spent the money so you don't have to
Save yourselves the hassle and look at buying something recognised and reputable. The midi solutions mergers,
(as I have just done
) or those by Kenton for example.I'll see how well the MS 4 into 2 performs later in the week when it arrives.
Statistics: Posted by Rara — Fri Jan 12, 2024 9:35 pm