MRCC - MIDI Router Control Center

[@megamarkd]

Yay! Nice pt 1 review, looking forward to the rest. It's about time that a MIDI router that doesn't need a computer to configure arrived. It seems so silly that while physical synths have made a comeback in popularity, the stand-alone MIDI router has been missing. It won't replace my other routers, 5in-8out on the DIN side of things is a bit less than what I would like, but then I still haven't unpacked since I got back into town!

[@ranzee]

Yeah Part 2 will look a little more into things like the virtual ports on the USB inputs, Arpeggiator, CV Clocks etc. I'm also going to answer some questions from here :)

[@ShaneTregurtha]

Great review! ...I've had my mouse hovering over buy-now for a few weeks undecided. Your chapter on, filtering the sequencer start/stop on selected gear (MIDI Filter with Volca) just convinced me 100% to get one!!! Besides all the other features I really like... this was the icing on the cake. Appreciate your work!!

[@ranzee]

Glad I could help!

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

Hi Ranzee - im sitting here , and finally have the time to get this tool up`n running - ill start NOW - and i hope to use THIS video , as a guide !!! See you sooner than later , and ill PROB. hvae some stupid questions - but ill keep you informed on my Journey into this controlstation - ;-) Da,mn that Novation sounds beautiful ! What a great Outro Theme melody you got there ! - By the way, its so nice to see not only your studio grow , but youre music abilities , has grown immensely - it warms an ol rats heart ,- ;-)

[@harrywilcock2030]

Good demo thanks Ranzee, this is just what I'm looking for, got some great features! And deep features too! Love the potential with the mpc live, my head xploded when you showed that

[@ranzee]

My pleasure!

[@MSM5500]

I've built similar MIDI 8x8 device based upon Teensy 4.1 board. As Teensy board has got USB host that supports up to 10 devices plugged so I implemented USB hub there. Teensyduino supports MIDI USB so the interface creates multiple USB ports if plugged to PC as a USB device.

[@ranzee]

Interesting!

[@MSM5500]

@@ranzee I took this project as a basis for my one : github.com/Deftaudio/Midi-boards/tree/master/MIDITeensy4.1

[@danieltx7066]

That was a helpful video. The way I handle the Volca sequencer issue is to clear out all steps using FUNC + Step 16 when I plan to use something other than the built-in sequencer. The sequencer still “plays,” but there aren’t any notes to trigger.

[@FoxyNirvana]

Hey matey! Enjoyed that! Don’t have a clue what you are talking about …. There’s a more advanced video next! 😳😳😳…. Joking aside … great bit of kit and tutorial… I’ll have to watch about 20 times before it sinks in! Awesome as always 😎🙏✌️⭐️

[@ckatheman]

The one thing I don’t care for, and a lot of devices are like this, are when all the ports are on the front. If you filled the ports to capacity, it would potentially be difficult to get at the controls on the bottom. Some Front ports are good for devices you frequently move in and out, but for permanent setups it doesn’t make a lot sense and uglies up your setup.

[@InvertedPopesMusic]

Nice one Ranz, will no doubt solve a multitude of users problems.

[@ranzee]

Cheers mate - yes indeed it is a good bit of kit.

[@jppagetoo]

Terrific little MIDI box.

[@ranzee]

Yes, has a wealth of features - which I'm going to be deep diving through the next few vids (multi-part).

[@HoosierGuy]

Well done! Mine is supposed to arrive next week.

[@oscDrift]

Waiting for mine to arrive.

[@ranzee]

What is the ETA out of interest?

[@winddealer1]

Have you tried to put an external USB 3.0 Extender on any of the MIDI I/O ports yet? It would be great to be able to extend the virtual USB ports via an external USB Hub. Maybe you can illustrate how you map each of the USB devices on the USB Extender to any of the Virtual ports attached to a MIDI I/O port. That would be of interest. Many of us have more USB type controllers than 5 pin DIN. Thanks for the first pass on it.

[@ranzee]

Not yet - but next video I visit the USB ports - and perhaps I can try this :)

[@johnshea135]

Can it take poly notes on 1 channel and split these out to mono channels?

[@ranzee]

It might - something we can check out and give it a go.

[@johnshea135]

@@ranzee good excuse to pick up another 3 2600’s for a 4 voice test ;)

[@flaminggarlic]

There are plans to include polychaining in a later firmware, but it's not quite there yet. That feature when implemented will allow you to map a polyphonic midi part to individual mono outputs.

[@MichaelBLive]

Awesome piece of gear Ranze!

[@ranzee]

Yes mate, it's a great bit of kit.

[@miekwavesoundlab]

Is this worth getting for me? I got Virus TI, Motif XF, Korg M3, Electribes, RM1x etc. Can this device work with USB on all 3 devices without DIN? Virus TI - USB Motif XF - USB Korg M3 - USB And every else is 5-DIN cable? Does that work standalone without PC? Or does USB require a pC to work? I’m currently using MIDI 8x8/s but it’s bugging out on me. This looks like a great replacement.

[@ranzee]

It works standalone. It is a USB host for your devices. You can actually use more than the 4 USB ports - as it has virtual USB per each USB port (up to 4) - and the PC can have up to 16 virtual USB ports. This means you could probably run a USB hub in them (haven't tried it yet). There's plenty of DIN and TRS (3.5mm) for expansion if you so choose. Plus if you get the WIDI Bluetooth/Wireless MIDI you could use that too.

[@miekwavesoundlab]

@@ranzee I purchased it and just came in today! I’m excited to hook it up :)

[@Kindjie]

Thanks for showing this! I’m a Kickstarter backer and am really looking forward to getting mine. What’s the latency and sync like between USB and other kinds of midi? I don’t think I’ve seen mention of it, but can it generate or alter clock, eg swing or dividing?

[@ranzee]

I'll definitely check this out. Not sure the best way to measure this - but I'll put it on the list!

[@oldgearguy8589]

Latency/sync has been great. I have been pushing a lot of data through it and it has been flawless in that regard. I've also been merging 2 or more inputs regularly and it also has handled that very well with no glitches. TBH, I was expecting it to choke on the volume of data but it hasn't so far. The internal arpeggiators can operate at various divisions and sync to the internal or an external clock.

[@wimvanseventer5924]

Do you know perhaps if it can send programchanges to different channels per stored preset? Or otherwise can it recieve a programchange for switching stored presets it self? I'm looking for a live application. (I used to own a Miditemp 8x8..yes I'm old🙂)

[@ranzee]

I think it sends thru Program Change - but not via the 1st port (as it uses this for MRCC control). It should be fine.

[@aradder]

MRCC backlog orders are about to ship next week. Any chance of your part 2 video coming soon? Loads of us are about to get our hands on this thing! There has been such positive response to the device and there have already been some firmware updates for fixes and feature expansion. Thanks ranzee!

[@edmc2]

🤯👍

[@TheWestsaied]

ok ok ok whats the rack mount gear a above the MRCC?

[@ranzee]

That's the Behringer 2600 :)

[@ThanasisPapathanasiou1963]

Ηello Ranzee. Have I understood right that the MRCC can be a better alternative for both an Erm Multiclock and an iConnectivity MiOXL?

[@ranzee]

Better? Not so sure - but alternative yes.

[@CarlArmstrong]

Hi, I'm' asking this question here because I couldn't see your follow-up video, so sorry if you answered this question there. I had watched your mio10 video back when I first got it and am wondering how well this integrates with DAW setups, in addition to all the outboard gear. I really like the simplicity of how this works, but am wondering if this replaced your mio in your setup and if it is easy to use inside the box as it appears to be outside the box? Thanks

[@alainszyller615]

Maybe a stupid question, but as an example with this device you would connect directly with a 3.5mm TRS cable Korg SQ1 as MIDI in, not need for the adaptor from 3.5mm to 5PIN ? I know it's just a detail but it would add to the connectivity options if it does

[@ranzee]

You can use a standard 3.5mm TRS cable - no need for DIN to TRS adapters.

[@alainszyller615]

@@ranzee Thank you !

[@lumixS5M2]

About the MRCC DIN output, when use channel 1 as the input, do you use differ midi channels for control each synth? If so, how did you setup this in MRCC? Or did you use the same MIDI channel output for all synth?

[@ranzee]

Both - think of it as a MIDI through (from a basic sense) - and then it sends all MIDI channels out to each out.

[@lumixS5M2]

@@ranzee how did you setup, program it?

[@emresound]

Does this have a capability to change the cv voltage to match an ms10/20!? Only arturia seems to be able to do it…

[@ranzee]

I don't think so ... head on over to conductivelabs website and post on their forum.

[@kisho2679]

does it load automatically your preferred setup on startup?

[@AndyVonal]

Nice one Ranz... I knew this thing was a power house, but now you've really made me want one... can't afford it right now, having just bought my new PC (which is wonderful by the way!) and it'd be a "luxury" rather than a necessity... still may be at some point?!?!?

[@ranzee]

When is anything in our synth hobbies not a luxury? lol

[@megamarkd]

G'day Andy. You need a new MIDI interface for the woeful USB slot count on your new computer! There,, see, it is now a necessity!

[@megamarkd]

@@ranzee Blasphemy! You are no longer in the Ye Olde Analogue Church for Non-Prophet Musicians. Now leave, before I have you removed!

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

Hi Ranzee - so does it still work, and are you a happy ozzy - and any major changes in youre midi setup ? i just ordered one today - i simply getting crazee of all the strange spagetti, in my solemn city , -I HAD to do something - and i really like those dudes at Conductive Labs (i use my Noodler more than ever) i thought - fak it ! now or the mentalhospital ! ;-). its really a powerful MultiTool - i just hope the clock is steady - , - have a brilliant day - and see ya downstream :-)

[@ranzee]

Hey Mikkel! You'll be happy. Please say hi to Steve and the guys at Conductive Labs for me :)

[@LePewSonics]

Great vid - super useful. Did you get round to do the second one yet?

[@ranzee]

Yes, soon

[@toiletfriend420]

lol@@ranzee

[@rafa787]

where's part 2?

[@TheRealSasquatch]

I really want one of these but the price is just too high :-(

[@ranzee]

I think the nearest thing is the MIOXL - which is more expensive. So, technically it's fairly well priced - but I do get what you are saying.

[@oldgearguy8589]

For me, the benefit over other devices is the ability to plus USB, DIN, and TRS (A and B) into a single box with no converter cables or dongles necessary. If you only have 3 or 4 MIDI devices, yes this is probably way more than you need. However, when you add in the filtering, rechanneling, 6 arpeggiators, clock, and analog pulse out, it can be an important part of your MIDI setup

[@apislapis]

Cool piece of kit, but I guess it doesn't come cheap?

[@ranzee]

depends on what you consider expensive ;)

[@couchcamperTM]

unfortunately this is a bit unaffordable. The Midihub will have to suffice ;-)

[@ranzee]

I think the nearest thing is the MIOXL - which is more expensive. So, technically it's fairly well priced - but I do get what you are saying.

[@RaquelFoster]

The MRCC is the most unreliable piece of music gear I’ve ever used, and the menu system is ridiculously bad. It’s probably fine to route a couple DIN MIDI things, but you can’t leave it on for long. It always eventually stops working on some channels/ports. The screen burns in, and the screensaver only works if there is absolutely no MIDI traffic. Plugging/unplugging USB ports makes it randomly unstable. And the transpose mod literally works for less than two seconds before it stops and requires a factory reset.

[@ranzee]

I leave mine on 24/7. No screen burn in yet. I do have to reboot it every-so-often - but that's no different to most things. I'd suggest you contact the guys at Conductive Labs.