Homemade Snake Terminations

[Aaronw]

Len,

Any thoughts?

[giles117]

Len, FYI

MIDI makes use of special five conductor cable to connect the synthesizer ports. Curiously though, only three of the conductors are actually used. Data is carried through the cable on pins 1 and 3, and pin 2 is shielded and connected to common. Pins 4 and 5 remain unused. Not just any cable will suffice for the exactness of the MIDI system, either. MIDI cable is specially grounded and shielded to ensure efficient data transmission. This means that MIDI cable is a little more expensive than standard 5-conductor cable, but reliable data transmission is absolutely necessary for MIDI.

The length of the cable is critical as well. MMA specifications suggest an absolute maximum cable length of 50 feet because of the method of data transmission through the cable. The entire length of a MIDI chain (discussed below) is unlimited, however, provided that none of the links are longer than 50 feet. The optimal maximum length for cable is about 20 feet, and most commercially manufactured cable comes in five to ten foot lengths.

[knightfly]

The reason the total midi chain length can be so long is that the midi spec calls for every midi out and thru to have a pulse reshaping circuit, so any rounded edges due to cable length (capacitance) will be squared up again.

Still, I'd recommend REALLY short runs for timing critical midi, such as drum controllers - I can't say for sure, but it seems like eventually there would be a fair amount of delay from all the ins/outs/reshaping... Steve

[giles117]

I wouldnt go more thn 20' with a V-drum rig (not sure the size of your studio).....In my mind I see a panel with a very short 24" pass thorugh to the other side with a midi connector on the wall (coupler style)