ESI M4U eX

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USB 3.0 MIDI Interface

With a total of 8 MIDI ports
Each port can be used as input or output
Automatic input and output detection
Multicoloured LEDs for status display
Additional functions allow the interface to be used as a thru or merge box
Powered via USB or via the AC adapter included
Class-compliant - without drivers under Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and Mac OSX (32/64 Bit)
Dimensions: 175 x 120 x 45 mm

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

3-Year Thomann Warranty

Available since November 2018

Item number 451849

Sales Unit 1 piece(s)

Amount Of Inputs 8

Amount Of Outputs 8

SMPTE Timecode No

Serial Port No

$118

The shipping costs are calculated on the checkout page.

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in MIDI Interfaces

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Miditech MIDIface 4x4 thru/merge

92 Customer ratings

5 68 Customers 4 12 Customers 3 9 Customers 2 1 Customer 1 2 Customers

4.6 / 5

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quality

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64 Reviews

Nice overall, too bad the standalone doesn't have more features.

JakubH 25.06.2021

The build quality seems excelent, also it looks good.
It has a lot of ports so I am quite happy there.

I will be using the standalone feature most of the time.
It has 3 modes that you can cycle through with the button.
1/7 mode makes sense (1 IN to 7 OUTs).
7/1 mode is also fine (7 INs to 1 OUT).

But what the hell is "pass-through"?
4 INs to 4 OUTs? Well, not quite :-(
The manual says it will route 1 to 3, 2 to 4, 5 to 7 and 6 to 8.
How is this different to just plugging the cable directly where you want it.

Or is this like a MIDI patchbay feature? Except that ports 1-4 are on the front of the unit so you'll have 2 IN and 2 OUT on each side.
I thought that this would be like a hybrid between 1/7 and 7/1. Not exacly sure if that would be somehow hard to implement or whatever, but having a patchbay feature seems useless to me.

I mainly wanted a MIDI merge device so this will be fine I guess.

UPDATE: I ended up returning the unit and bought a Blokas MIDIHub instead and it's all I ever wanted and more ❤ (google it - it's awesome).

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Life saver

RobSteijger 14.11.2022

Very happy with this unit, it enables me to use my MIDI gear within one DAW (currently MPC Beats), without fuss, without hassle, just the way I like it. Within MPC Beats you can rename the ESI MIDI INS and OUTS to the instruments they're attached to, so you can select for example "Minilogue Out", or "TR8-S IN". Perfect and simple.

The standalone modus is also very handy, for when you want one MIDI instrument to trigger up to 7 others, without using a DAW.

I haven't tested Sysex yet, though, but I'll update this review as soon as I have.

Thanks again Thomann for the quick answers to my questions and fast delivery, and for not making a issue of all the gear I've returned so far :-) This one is a keeper though!

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Some good ideas, but some annoying flaws

ASBM 19.11.2021

This is an interesting device which provides more functionality than most midi interfaces. But there are a few flaws which stop it from achieving what it is trying to be.

PRO:

- Very well built.
- Great price, although I would have preferred it to be a little bit more expensive if it meant it could have included what I note below.
- The function that each port can be an input or an output makes it really flexible in most setups. This should be implemented in all midi interfaces.

CON:

- The USB ports at the back can only be used when the device is plugged into a computer - and then only as a standard USB hub. There is no option to route MIDI between the DIN ports and the USB ports internally. This is a missed opportunity.
- The three options in standalone mode are fine if they cover what you need, but it would be better if there was an internal MIDI routing and filtering system. Then the user could decide themselves how the device is used. Again, missed opportunity.
- The lack of a power button is annoying. You need to unplug the device for the LEDs to switch off.

So overall, some good ideas, but it feels this device could have been a lot more. After trying to fit it in my setup for a few weeks, I have decided to sell mine and buy an iConnectivity mioXM instead.

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Might be the best MIDI interface

Son of 8-Bits 30.03.2022

Great interface with extreme low latency from USB and it's various modes.

1 star is lost because ESI didn't include software so you can set your own custom modes. Or even better, allow filtering of MIDI messages.

But besides that, this is an incredible interface that works extremely well!

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USB 3.0 MIDI Interface

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USB 3.0 MIDI Interface

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