Low Cost "All in One" Computer Midi Interface

M Audio has really set the mark for a low cost all in one midi interface. You can pick up one from a local music shop for about 20 $$. This interface has 16 midi channels with a USB connection on one end and a midi in/out connection at the other. The interface is also 100% powered by USB so you have no need for a extra plug, sockets or wires. The only real drawback is that it has no switch for a midi thru function but besides that for the price this thing is perfect.

This interface can be used to hook up a midi based keyboard controller to your PC , control hardware based synthesizers and keyboards with your PC or to even send .mid files from your PC to hardware. Again for the price I was more than happy with how much sequencing I could use with this interface and not have it skip a beat at all. I was running Reason 3.0 slaved by Cubase then made Cubase trigger my hardware with 0 mistakes or skips in the time clock.

Installing the drivers from the CD can't be easier, many reviews on line say that this can't be used with windows XP or they had issues with the install process but none of this happened to me at all and I use Windows XP. In order to safely unplug the interface from the PC you must right click the "Remove Device Safely" icon on the task in the lower right hand corner of your PC screen and shut it down before you remove the interface from the USB slot itself.

I have also used this interface with my master keyboard to control Propellerhead Reason 3.0 and Cubase VST like the FM7 and Korg Legacy Collection. Both programs worked great with this interface and I had no issues getting it working on both of the programs. Even with multiple tracks of computer sequencing I was able to play live keyboard notes and never got a delay or mistake.

If you want a low cost all in one midi interface the M Audio Uno is the best bet. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to start controlling computer based music software or use a PC to trigger some hardware. You can also use this to transfer .mid files from your keyboard and synthesizers to save custom made sounds on your PC and not take up hardware space.

Main Features

1-in/1-out MIDI interface
16 MIDI input channels
16 MIDI output channels
bus-powered-requires no external power supply
extremely compact and lightweight for mobile or desktop use
built-in USB and MIDI cables

size/weight: 3-1/2" (w) x 7/8" (h) x 1-13/16" (d) x 116" (cable); .075 lbs.

Mac OS X Core MIDI
Windows 98SE / Me / 2000 (SP4) / XP (SP1 or higher)*
* Home and Professional Edition only. Windows Media Center Edition is not currently supported.
OS X 10.1.5 or greater