USED MIDI PATCHBAY SERIAL
USED MIDI PATCHBAY PRO

It is worth noting that the default installation settings in both versions of Windows did not work, and needed changes before communication could be established with the MIDI interface. Thankfully, Opcode provided a DOS‑based diagnostic program which significantly eased the setting‑up process.

USED MIDI PATCHBAY SERIAL

On the PC there were the usual serial port/Interrupt hassles, where you have to assign a COM port and an IRQ to the serial interface. Installation on the Mac was straightforward. It is possible to connect the Studio 64X to a Mac and a PC simultaneously - amd when I tried this it correctly auto‑detected messages from the two computers, although I didn't try anything unreasonable like trying to run MIDI sequencers on both computers at the same time! All of the computer serial port cabling, plus a plug‑top mains power supply is supplied as standard with the 64X.įor this review I tested the Studio 64X using my OMS 2.3.1, System 7.5.5 (updated) equipped Mac Centris 610, and a Windows 95/3.11 Pentium PC (the Studio 64X software is not currently Windows NT‑compatible).

The rest of the supplied software is more or less the same across the two platforms - even to the extent of having a special MacOS 'Windows Help' lookalike application so that the MacOS computer can have the same help file as the Windows version. The Studio 64X can be used with either of these computer types, although there is one major difference: the advanced MIDI processing facilities which utilise the Studio Patches application (see my two‑part feature on using the Opcode Studio 5LX multi‑port interface, in SOS October/November 1996, for more details on this) can only be used with a MacOS computer running Opcode's Open Music System (OMS). Cross‑Platformįor a long time Opcode have been associated with Apple MacOS computers, although many of their programs are now also available for the Microsoft Windows/Intel PC platform. The Studio 64X can also generate or receive SMPTE timecode via two dedicated quarter‑inch jack sockets. These built‑in 'Thru boxes' enable you to use extra equipment on the spare channels of a port without needing to buy a separate Thru box. Opcode have been making MIDI hardware since the beginnings of MIDI, so they know what users need - which is why two of the ports on the Studio 64X have dual output sockets.

It's a 4‑port, 64‑channel interface, MIDI patchbay and SMPTE box, all housed in a compact, 1U rackmount case.

USED MIDI PATCHBAY PRO

Opcode's Studio 64X is aimed at those people who need more than just a simple 1‑port MIDI interface, and thus represents the entry level of the pro or semi‑pro market. Martin Russ finds out whether it has the right connections. The first release in Opcode's new Studio 'X' series is designed to help you sort out your MIDI studio, whether it's based around a Mac or a PC.

Used midi patchbay