🚀 go-pugleaf

Sebastian Nightingale Cain writes
| Hi - I combed through the FAQ and couldn't find any reference to which  
| MIDI interfaces will work with an older '040 cube, 3.0, and Presto. What  
| is the current situation with Presto anyway? Is there a full fledged  
| release in the works , or is the current version it?  Anyway, where can I  
| get an interface (don't need a large one - something inexpensive  
| preferably) and the cabling for it?

For the '040 machines, the only (ha, ha) problem is the cable for the RS-423  
connector (since most Macintosh MIDI interfaces are RS-422).  I would imagine  
that any self-powered Macintosh interface would work with a properly wired  
cable, although I suppose one might need an active adaptor in some rare cases.   
The MIDI interfaces from Apple Computer take power from the cable, and only the  
'030 NeXTs supply power to the cable, but I suppose you could use a battery or  
wire a special cable which spliced in power from another source if you really  
wanted a $60 interface.

I understand that the "Opcode Studio 3" interface and the Mark of the Unicorn  
"MIDI Time Piece" interface both work with the cable described in the zs(4) man  
page.  I have personal experience with the J.L.Cooper Sync-Link which works on  
my '040 cube/dimension with a cable that I figured out myself (I would be  
willing to share the pinout with anyone who asks).

Basically, I sought the cheapest interface which had the features I wanted (2  
MIDI interfaces plus SMPTE for $170) and used my EE experience to make a cable  
that worked.  If you have a local friend who knows MIDI and electronics, it  
shouldn't be too difficult.

If you stick to interfaces which are known to work (like above), then you can  
have the appropriate cable made locally, or try Redmond Cable in WA at  
206/882-2009

There are also NeXT-specific interfaces, but the cost is more than a similarly  
featured Mac MIDI interface.  You won't even have to scratch your head to get  
them working, though (I suppose.  YMMV).
-- 
Brian Willoughby	Software Design Engineer, BSEE NCSU
BrianW@SoundS.WA.com	Sound Signal Processing Software and Consulting
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