After being AWOL for three years, MOTU is once again shipping the MIDI Express XT, a MIDI to USB interface for Mac and Windows that offers eight independent MIDI inputs along with a total of nine outputs) and up to 128 channels. Aimed at both personal and professional users, the company has finally updated its popular ClockWorks software as a universal binary for non-Rosetta Intel Macs, and also now supports Windows Vista and 7.
The new model makes almost no changes to the original other than adding support for 23.976 SMPTE time code and the updated software. The hardware allows users a comprehensive matrix of MIDI connectivity with sub-millisecond timing accuracy, programming features for live performances, time code synchronization and even multi-output MIDI streaming for robotics automation control and other industrial systems.
The unit supports pedal input, up to 16 presets (eight programmable), an internal power supply and a battery backup for settings. It can convert LTC to MTC, SMPTE frame rates, and MTC to SMPTE. It includes a full SMPTE generator and reader, and can merge, route, mute or re-channelize an inputs to any outputs.
The MIDI Express XT supports Mac OS X 10.5 or higher and Windows Vista or later, and sells for its original price of $395. Rack ears are available to allow the unit to fit a standard 1U slot.
