Is Bome for me?

Hello! I've been using these strange times while sick with the Covid and having since recovered to reconfigure my home studio. I'm trying to rid my system of some inconsistent latency and jitter issues, and looking for the right MIDI interface to connect the following things:

2018 MacBook Pro

Buchla Easel

Linnstrument

Prophet 6

OB6

Expert Sleepers USAMO

Komplete Kontrol S88

I was about to go with a MOTU XT interface so I could do tricks like merge the MIDI clock from the USAMO to the midi output of the computer and send it to the synths, and use the Linnstrument MIDI both directly to the synths while also duplicating that midi to record in Logic, and was keen to go all 5-pin with a MIDI interface or a MIDI patchbay and interface, but was getting hung up on wanting a more modern solution, but also not trusting iConnectivity or USB MIDI as not being a source of more potential headaches.

Now I'm seeing that 1 (or 2 or 3) BomeBoxes are maybe the solution.

So, I have the following questions:

How does the MIDI routing and merging happen in a BomeBox? Is there a computer inside processing things, or is it more like an old-school MIDI patchbay just moving signals around?

Is USB MIDI in AND out as stable in regards to jitter through a BomeBox and ethernet as 5-pin MIDI through a USB 3 MIDI interface? Is the latency comparable or better or worse?

In general, how does the micro-timing of MIDI in AND out from a BomeBox compare to USB counterparts, both USB 1 solutions (MOTU, with drivers) and USB 3 (class compliant) options?

Does BomeBox support Logic's time stamping of MIDI information?

Is there any potential for bottlenecking when using several of the BomeBox to computer connection's MIDI channels vs. using multiple BomeBoxes?

I'm envisioning two different setups - one with USB MIDI and a single BomeBox: Prophet 6, OB6, Linnstrument and Komplete Kontrol connect to BomeBox via USB. USAMO goes to 5-pin MIDI IN, Buchla receives from BomeBox 5-pin out, ethernet to computer.

OR 3 Bomeboxes, one each for 5-pin in and out from Prophet 6 and OB6 while the 3rd would be shared between the Buchla and the USAMO, controllers attached via USB, computer and 3 BomeBoxes ethernet connected to one another.

Is there a benefit to one of the above options vs. another?

Thanks for reading my many questions!

How does the MIDI routing and merging happen in a BomeBox? Is there a computer inside processing things, or is it more like an old-school MIDI patchbay just moving signals around?

SJC> There is a processor inside the box . Not just a MIDI patchbay.

Is USB MIDI in AND out as stable in regards to jitter through a BomeBox and ethernet as 5-pin MIDI through a USB 3 MIDI interface? Is the latency comparable or better or worse?

SJC> Negligable jitter for USB and MIDI DIN. Network will depend on other network traffic.  More control of that using ethernet than WiFi

In general, how does the micro-timing of MIDI in AND out from a BomeBox compare to USB counterparts, both USB 1 solutions (MOTU, with drivers) and USB 3 (class compliant) options?

SJC> Very Low latency. I'm pretty sure USB is USB 2 or USB 3 but never really looked into it. You can find the specs  on the BomeBox  page.   BomeBox requires USB class compliant devices attached.

Does BomeBox support Logic’s time stamping of MIDI information?

SJC> I'm not familiar with Logic's time stamping. If it is   MIDI, BomeBox will pass through any MIDI signal sent to it .  

Is there any potential for bottlenecking when using several of the BomeBox to computer connection’s MIDI channels vs. using multiple BomeBoxes?

SJC> I haven't seen any bottlenecks in my configuration with either 1 or 2 BomeBoxes.  It is always good to look at anticipated traffic paths and  look for potential bottlenecks. I am running multiple keyboards  and MIDI controllers and  send information back and for th to my  Windows PC running Ableton Live.

I’m envisioning two different setups – one with USB MIDI and a single BomeBox: Prophet 6, OB6, Linnstrument and Komplete Kontrol connect to BomeBox via USB. USAMO goes to 5-pin MIDI IN, Buchla receives from BomeBox 5-pin out, ethernet to computer.

OR 3 Bomeboxes, one each for 5-pin in and out from Prophet 6 and OB6 while the 3rd would be shared between the Buchla and the USAMO, controllers attached via USB, computer and 3 BomeBoxes ethernet connected to one another.

Is there a benefit to one of the above options vs. another?

SJC> I would start with the simplest configuration (keeping in mind  the investment of the hardware) and  expand from there if you run into issues.   My preference is generally USB instead of MIDI DIN as  I know the  rate of transmission is much slower on older MIDI DIN technology. The main  advantage of MIDI DIN is ground loop isolation, however I've not  run into this even with USB.

 

Steve Caldwell
Bome Q and A Moderator and
Independent Bome Consultant/Specialist
bome@sniz.biz

And so sorry you have Covid. I hope you get well soon!