MIDI "Patch Bay" question

[Silverfish]

Hi.

Just curious if it would be possible and reasonable to create a diy midi interface similar to m-audio 8x8 or some of the MOTU stuff. Searched around a bit and didn't see a lot, so maybe it's not something worth persuing. If anyone has any info or links it would be very helpful.

Thanks,

Tyler

[Jidis]

Tyler,

I'll keep an eye out for you, but if you find one, let us know.

I've got two here (a Cooper MSB+ and a Yamaha), so I doubt I need it ;), but I'd be interested to look at some of the design. I've been nagging people about a DIY parallel interface recently, and couldn't seem to find one, so if you should see that, please bring that here too (maybe in miscellaneous). I've had a dream about some guy who had worked on a parallel circuit coming in here and mentioning it, but there doesn't appear to have been any "reality" behind it. :'( Your question has now made me wonder whether it could have actually been a patchbay that he mentioned, but with my two, I don't think I would've been as interested in the discussion.

FWIW- The impression I've gotten from the two I've used is that the "1 to 1" routing, or the "1 to multiple" output splitting, is a lot easier (or less expensive) than trying to merge streams or do any elaborate "matrix-style" routing. Could just be the serial nature of MIDI, and it's bandwidth limitations, or it could be something which would involve a heavier or more specialized  CPU to coordinate all the different bitstreams, but I think both of mine can only handle one merge operation at a time. A heavier setup may only be something you could get where all the serial streams were being combined into something more "capable", like with the MIDI/computer interface, where they all come in via USB,etc. and are processed from within the computer from that point on.

Don't know. ???          (and someone please correct any of that if it's wrong)

Good Luck,

George