Howdy, So I'm enjoying the VS2480's MIDI out capabilities as a control surface for SONAR. Works GREAT. AND I'm enjoying the MOTU Digital TImepiece' 2 MIDI outputs sending MTC to both SONAR (via my Tascam US122 Mk2) AND the VS 2480 which keeps BOTH in sonically delightful sync. (I like the sound of my sax recorded in the VS better than the sound of the PC....lets not get into that here; suffice it to say that I like syncing the MIDI and low importance audio in SONAR and the important audio being presented from the VS....we can debate that elsewhere) Howthehellever, I can't enjoy BOTH at once because the MOTU doesn't transmit MIDI Thru from the VS's faders etc if the MOTU-OUT is attached to the Tascam MIDI-IN. SO I'm entertaining the idea of a MIDI merge box. I'm wide open to ideas. I've seen MAudio's 8x8, a few merge boxes by companies I don't recognize, etc. What I'd LOVE is the ability to filter msgs so I don't flood the Tascam in....but I wanna merge the VS's control msgs with the MOTU's MTC signal. If I use the VS as an MTC out to the tascam I get drift over 3 minutes...the only solid sync I get is with the MOTU being the MTC source for both. I'm perfectly willing to entertain the possibility that I have NO idea what I'm doing. So who's got a great solution to merging the clock of the MOTU with the control MIDI of the VS?

http://www.ebay.ca/sch/sis.html?_nkw=Yamaha+YMM2+MIDI+Merge+Box

I have one and it will do what you are thinking, Notice the clock switch..

I use an 8in 8out usb midi interface for my computer. Then I can send legacy midi around however I need with a lot less problem.

Like I was using all these usb ports and that gets messy in xp.

I have a few different older midi interfaces that work as a merger.

Like a motu 4in 6out unit that will echo any input to every output except the like number output. So if you plug into input 3 it will come out every output port except 3.

The motu stuff is good about stuff like that, has several preset functions built in.

If a bigger interface from the computer would do what you want I'd go with that.

checkout the range from "midi solutions".. no matter what you want the got a box for it :)

I use a midi solutions box, great stuff but pricey.

For stage they can't be beat, in the studio you can do the same thing for less money but they are an elegant solution for many situations.

There are some great old boxes out there like midi mitigator:
http://www.synthony.com/vintage/mitigator.html

or digitech pmc 10, powerful devices, can remap messages on the fly and other such things, like midi solutions can do.

Wow....great tips. Thanks folks!!!

Aight...one last kwes-chun.....anybody have any experience with this? http://www.buyonme.com/mi...merge-box-p-35803.html I read some mixed reviews.... One neg reviewer changed to pos after using it w/ W7 .... I keep lookin cheap cuz I just CAN'T BELIEVE that this seemingly simple task should demand a C-note