Crowd Creation: Shaping the Future of MIDI Technology with CME
At CME, we believe in developing products that truly meet the needs of people like you. This belief has led us to embrace a unique approach: crowd creation. Unlike traditional crowdfunding, crowd creation offers you direct access to the development process, allowing you to play an active role in shaping the final product. This approach ensures that our products are not only innovative but also aligned with the real-world needs of our community.
Crowd creation is a two-pronged strategy. First, it provides a platform for direct communication between you and our development team about concepts and future projects. Second, it leverages the power of our community to secure better deals with suppliers, industry partners, and manufacturers.
The result? Superior products at the end of the process, improved through your active participation and feedback.
The Power of Community: Introducing the H12 MIDI TRS and H24 MIDI RACK
Our crowd creation journey has led to the development of two exciting new products: the H12 MIDI TRS and the H24 MIDI RACK. These products were suggested by community members and refined through the first feedback from our dedicated community members.
H12 MIDI TRS: Community-Driven Innovation
The H12 MIDI TRS, suggested by community member Mr. Aleks Svaensson, is a testament to the power of community-driven innovation. Check out the original post by Aleks in our Facebook Community Group here.
H12 MIDI TRS first draft by Mr. Aleks Svaensson
Hardware defined by CME:
- 6x TRS MIDI I/O, switchable for Type-A or Type-B
- 6x USB-C Host MIDI ports
- 1x USB-C Client port for MIDI and power
- 3x buttons for preset, panic, and power
- LED indicators for all MIDI I/Os
- DC power to support 6x USB-C Host ports
- USB ports in shielding to avoid digital noise
Software defined by CME:
- USB MIDI class compliant (plug-and-play) for PC/Mac/iOS/Android/Linux/ChromeOS
- HxMIDI Tools for routing, filtering, and mapping, allowing standalone use
- 6x presets
Optional:
- Use WIDI Jack or WIDI Uhost to add Bluetooth MIDI for connecting multiple computers or mobiles
Instant Routing through microswitch with LED
H24 MIDI RACK: Expanding Your MIDI Horizons
The H24 MIDI RACK, suggested by community member Mr. Marc Edwards, is designed for those who need extensive connectivity options. Check out the original post by Marc in our Facebook Community Group here.
H24 MIDI RACK first draft by Mr. Marc Edwards
Hardware defined by CME:
- 8x 5-pin DIN MIDI I/O on the back
- 1x 5-pin DIN MIDI I/O on the front
- 2x USB-A Host MIDI ports on the back
- 2x USB-A Host MIDI ports on the front
- 1x USB-C Client port for MIDI on the back
- 3x buttons for preset, panic, and power
- LED indicators for all MIDI I/Os
- DC power to support 7x USB Host ports
- USB ports in shielding to avoid digital noise
Software defined by CME:
- USB MIDI class compliant (plug-and-play) for PC/Mac/iOS/Android/Linux/ChromeOS
- HxMIDI Tools for routing, filtering, and mapping, allowing standalone use
- 12x presets
Optional:
- Use WIDI Master or WIDI Bud Pro to add Bluetooth MIDI for connecting multiple computers or mobiles
H24 MIDI RACK first draft by Mr. Marc Edwards
Join the Revolution: Be Part of the Crowd Creation Process
By participating in the crowd creation process, you’re not just a community member; you’re a collaborator. Your insights and feedback are invaluable in shaping products that truly meet your needs. We invite you to join our community, share your ideas, and help us continue to innovate in the world of MIDI technology.
Carefully read the two orange "Points of Discussion" sections and share your thoughts in the comments. Start a debate on what's missing or what you appreciate. All feedback is welcome!
Stay tuned for more updates and become part of the future of MIDI with CME. Together, we can create products that are not only groundbreaking but also perfectly tailored to your needs. Join us on this exciting journey and let’s make music technology history!
Looks very interesting. Thanks. I use logic with a behringer i/f with a MIDI merge box. I need a MIDI controller filter on both keyboard outputs.
Sounds good! Make sure to check out the recently introduced H4MIDI WC as well: https://www.cme-pro.com/h4midi-wc-usb-host-midi-interface/
H24.
Yes two lots of Midi IN/Outs on the front of the unit
USB A for host ports
5 pin DIN midi is the most common in my studio
Ethernet Midi – never really found a way of getting it setup reliably particularly when it comes to distribution of MIDI clock
Midi 2.0 – at the moment not important to me. In the future who knows – it doesn't seem to be getting a lot of traction
Thanks for your valuable feedback!
the H24
front panel midi ports are very weolcome, not only for widi
With the future in mind i'd drop USB-A. Let's go USB-C. I'd prefer getting adaptercables rather than sticking with this old usb-A crap.
I prefer Midi-DIN ports, but why not having 2-3 Trs ports as well?
Ethernet Midi is a must. Otherwise this becomes just another Midi interface. Check the old Copperlan. For me this is as of today still the best Midi solution available.
You connect as many ethernet-Midiinterfaces as you like and easily configure all routing with one UI. By using ethernet you have a very stable and highly flexible solution.
Also with Midi2.0 in mind this will be useful. Currently there is not much available for Midi2.0 .. but this will slowly change and having a midi 2.ß0 compatible Midi interface is essential. Befor ei invest again in several new Midiinterfaces i'd like them to be futureproof.
Thanks for your valuable feedback. Let’s explore this together!
The H24 would suit me best, preferably with more MIDI DIN ports on the front. Regarding USB connections, prefer USB A as almost all my synths have USB B sockets and supplied USB B to USB A cables. I’m not really interested in WIDI unless you guys can solve the latency issues – I also have sometimes dodgy WIFI!
Five pin DIN MIDI works best for my needs, as I already have a MIDI thru hub with five pin connections.
Overall, love the concept and would be keen to purchase.
Thanks for your feedback. There should be no latency issues with WIDI. Did you try it already?
Look very promising only in 1 picture I see multiple USB-c hosts connection but in the pictures normal midi connections.
Ethernet midi would be a great added value with the corresponding driver so these ports can be addressed directly from the daw / midi application.
Don’t see yet wat kind of midi manipulation and/or intelligence will be build in and how this can be configured
Thanks for your feedback. We are drawing up new ideas 😉 For an example on the routing, filtering and mapping, you can check the current UxMIDI Tools for U6MIDI Pro and U2MIDI Pro: https://www.cme-pro.com/start-guide-for-uxmidi-tools-software-by-cme/
MIDI as Ethernet is brilliant. Also: consider MIDI as wireless? What does that mean? Host/transmitter and receiver? Just thinking out loud, because it might be fabulous/useful to ditch all that wire?
While we are at it, dare we add error handling fault tolerance?
Feel free to contact me if further interest to do so.
Thanks
Thanks for providing this feedback. Ethernet MIDI is on the table, open for discussion. For wireless MIDI, it is about implementing our own WIDI technology.
What do you mean exactly with “add error handling fault tolerance?”
With the features you are describingfor the H24 MIDI RACK – I would definitely buy this product as is! I am currently using at least 15 year old MOTU Midi Time piece AV. I would like the ability to have one WIDI device automatically, in the rack unit. But even without I can add WIDI onto H24. It's a great design. I am actually considering using the ADAT Sync for the first time – but I have to find a 9-pin DIN/serial cable to do it. The 19" rack mount UI is key for me. The other option is iConnect but not familiar with them or their driver quality.
One of the things I am curious about is software (or hardware interface?) to make different presets. For example, in the studio, sometimes I use my DAW's midi controller, other times I use my master keyboard workstation. How could presets be made like MIDI IN from port/device 2 goes out to 1, 3, 4,5,6,7,8 for preset 1, and for preset 2, MIDI IN from port device 7 goes out to 1,2,3,4,5,6,8?
You can create presets for routing fairly easily. We just introduced this feature in our current UxMIDI Tools and will introduce it for the Hx MIDI Tools as well. Basically you create your routing, save it and recall it when needed.
The H12 MIDI TRS seems like an easy "instant buy" for me. Thoughts:
1) I'd want WIDI because the price difference is minor to me and I have devices that only speak MIDI via Bluetooth.
2) I'd hope that some/all of the USB-C host ports can support up to 10 watts on the downstream device. For example: a Polyend Play+ doesn't have a separate power input and requires 10 watts via USB-C. And I don't think this is weird. This seems to be a trend for new small devices.
Thanks for your feedback. The idea is that you can power your USB MIDI hardware via the H12!
Do you have a plan to add Optional WIDI Core?
Adding WIDI Core for Bluetooth MIDI is being considered. Would you prefer that?
i dont use midi 2.0 yet but i feel likee this thing needs it to be ahead of the curb.
H12:
Please make all host ports and trs ports available as separate midi streams on the usb client port (i.e. have it function as a sort of hub, but better). Battery; not important for me if it makes the device bigger. Widi buitlin (maybe as option) yes please
H24:
Adding Ethernet would make this device a powerhouse and good alternative to iconnectivity products (to which there currently is none). Adding built-in widi next to that would make it the bomb :-). Also here please make every i/o available as separate streams on the client port(s).
Thanks Wouter for this valuable feedback!
Currently using a Mioxm which has 4 USB host ports 4 Din plus ethernet for RTP MIDI, however its lacking WIDI which would make it the all around device, so I think WIDI is a must have option.
Noted!
Hello CME
Apologies if my question is rather basic! I want my usb piano to talk to my 5 pin midi keyboard… what do I need?
If your piano has a class compliant USB port, meaning it does not require the installation of any drivers, you will need a USB host like our forthcoming H4MIDI WC: https://www.cme-pro.com/h4midi-wc-usb-host-midi-interface/
H24
As a longtime user of iConnectivity failovers I would welcome Ethernet (RTP) MIDI if it would communicate with their products. The hurdles in developing that may include some proprietary protocols for data transfer that I don’t understand, and making the units able to operate either as a MIDI “initiator” for operating when connected to a computer or a MIDI “responder” when in standalone mode-receiving MIDI data from something like the iConnectivity PlayAudio1U. Evidently when dealing with RTP MIDI it is not an automatic two-way street.
I see it is pretty late to add comments, but adding a few
.
re:Additional 5-pin DIN MIDI Ports on the Front
– I think 8x total 5-pin DINs are enough although two in front and 6 in back might offer more space for USB / other options in the back
re: USB-A vs USB-C for Host Ports
– USB-A connections while older are more robust for the back of racks. (Does not disqualify USB-C, but USB-C cables are far from locking and could be a real pain to get to once in a rack if loose or unplugged)
– I would suggest 2 to 3 USB-C for the front of the panel and no less than one front USB-A for quick patching scenarios although adapters may suffice for USB-A to USB-C.
re: TRS vs. 5-pin DIN
– 5-PIN DIN for now. Not sure if the market will heavily adopt TRS although it would be nice if they did.
Are you considering the 1/8 to
– Having WIDI internal option would be valuable depending on the cost difference. Any latency would be important to assess if several external multi-channel devices are being used at the sa me time. Also, not sure if some rack gear could interfere with signal strength. ( wireless / routers / mixers …etc)
re: MIDI 2.0 Support
– I consider MIDI 2.0 a requirement especially if this is a rack mounted device intended for current studios, or power users who rack their equipment.
Thanks for sharing. Not too late at all. We are considering 1/8 TRS for the H12 at this stage. Let’s stay in touch. Thanks!
This looks awesome! I posted some of my wishes for such a unit on the FB page, I'll repost it here:
Soo… is there a rack unit version alà iConnectivity MioXL, with widi expandability, bulk of the midi connectors on DSUB so one can fit loads of them, a bunch of analog gate/pulse outputs for syncing the midi world with the analog modulars/drum-machines, an actual gate INPUT so one can clock the whole interface/system from an analog clock if one were inclined to…. and a really stable, jitter free internal clock (like the one in Mutable Instruments Midipal), maybe with the possibility of offsets between channels so one can truly have a one-stop shop for timing sync in the studio?
Basically a MIO XL, E-RM multiclock / Midipal, Hinton Instruments Gearbox (http://www.hinton-instruments.co.uk/paprod/modular/gearbox/), a bunch (4-channel at least) of midi-CV/gate converters
and WIDI all rolled into a rack unit?
I know I'm asking for the moon but this is what we want. My expert sleepers system is damn tight timing wise, but such a chore to use. The midipal is awesome, but can only be master. The MIO looks great, but wastes space with DIN contacts that make them do weird design choices like only midi outputs for some channels. And they all lack analog sync options.
I know you have it in you….
——–
And what do you know! The mockup above is not that far from what I was describing. But don't forget about the analog CV/GATE outputs (I want to control my polyphonic modular directly from the interface) and gate/pulse outputs for analog clocking (and input for syncing it to other master clocks), and a super-stable internal midi clock with the ability to quickly use as master or slave (even to the analog input I just talked about). If people want DIN's for the midi, make breakout boxes. And for USB devices I think the USB A makes more sense (but I guess the point on the sketchup is to use an external USB hub), as it's convenient to plug them directly to the rack unit instead of a USB hub thrown in the back of the rack.
I love the U6PRO, have two and they're great. Just make it huge and add analog sync'ing and bobs your uncle! And all of the rest above, of course.
Thanks for sharing. It is much appreciated!!!
I am patiently waiting to be able to buy one or maybe two H24s! As for the questions:
DIN MIDI: My main concern is having quite a few ports on the back. I probably don’t need more than 1 in and 1 out DIN MIDI on the front, but more is definitely okay.
USB-A vs USB-C: My preference is for USB-C everywhere. Buying cables and adaptors is easy, and USB-C is the future. USB-C is smaller, neater, more robust, and far easier to plug in when fumbling around in the dark behind a rack.
TRS vs DIN MIDI: I prefer DIN MIDI, but if space is tight, TRS could be used for some ports, to fit everything in.
MIDI 2.0: I don’t need MIDI 2.0 now, but I would like it in the future. If there’s potential for a future firmware to support it, that would be great.
Thanks! I’ll share your feedback internally!
Running usb midi controllers wirelessly requires a battery. It’s the widi device that should have the battery slot to provide bus power to the midi device. If not, there are wires and the whole idea of widi is kind of silly.
Batteries require all kind of additional certificates, different for each country. It will make the device more expensive, while not everybody needs it. Besides this, we do not know upfront what kind of device you will connect and what its power requirements are, making it complex to integrate a battery that works in all use cases. In short, it is not that simple..
There are many 5V power sources via USB available, all developed by companies who do this at much lower cost (higher volume) than we can do as a small company. That is why with WIDI Uhost, you can add the external power option if you need it. For WIDI Master, it can be powered via the MIDI Out and it does not require any battery. If your device does not offer current over the MIDI Out port, you can use WIDI Jack with an external power option via 5v USB.
That being said, if you are looking into a solution for hosting mulitple USB MIDI devices and an option for wireless MIDI, you can check out the H4MIDI WC and integrate WIDI Core, it might just offer what you need: https://www.cme-pro.com/h4midi-wc-usb-host-midi-interface/
Hope this helps for a better understanding of what can be done from our perspective.
The H12MIDI TRS seems to be a really great idea.
Regarding the discussion about internal WIDI and battery: Yes, that would be the deciding factor for me.
I’m a little bit tired of the ‘you can connect a power bank’ argument of some manufacturers. Other manufacturers manage to place batteries internally. I wouldn’t care whether a small LiPo pack, a holder for an 18650 battery or a battery compartment for AAA cells is integrated. And yes, I would be fine to install the battery myself. But it should definitely be an internal solution.
Integrated WIDI would also be important for me, preferably a slot for the WIDI core module, like the H4MIDI WC.
Regarding your points about MIDI 2.0 and Ethernet, I appreciate that there are very few reasons/products to drive this but someone has to start now that the new standard is ratified.
RTP MIDI over Ethernet is good, but since MIDI 2.0 includes support for IP as a transport mechanism, it would be great to see this beginning to make its way into products.
Another functionality that would fit well with the above is supporting (or at least having an option for) PoE/PoE+ to power the device. This would enable cleaner setup and allow utilisation of existing network switches which may already run Dante for Audio.
Thanks for sharing. We’ll look into your suggestions!
Hi. I’ve got a mioxl from iconnectivity. Are you going to do something similar then ethernet is necessary. It would be good also to get more USB A or C connexions. See ya
Ya , a battery is definitely not necessary cause it’s a rack.
Agree!
More midi is better
5 din is better than trs
USB C or USB A. I prefer A but nowadays USB c is the norm.
Ethernet is mandatory such as mioxl from iconnectivity
Midi 2.0 of course
What is the price target ? ( To compare with mioxl’s one)
Bye
Thanks. We do not know the pricing yet. We have to design and develop first!
looks like this won’t be done in time for me. 🙁 my Midisport 8X8 is exhibiting strange new problems and needs to be hard reset every time I use it. looks like I will need to find another solution soon. I’m bummed because I really like what your company is doing.
Whether MIDI 2.0 is important to me depends on how the manufacturers handle it. 2.0 is definitely the future. So, let’s go…