Synaesthesia Deep Dive: ESI M8U eX

Rodney Orpheus unboxes the amazing new ESU M8U eX multi-port MIDI interface. Is this the best MIDI interface ever built? Let's see what Rodney thinks...

[rthreebookingberlin]

I purchased it today in Berlin and the box included the rackmount! i think they might be able to send it to you as it looks great mounted

[EchoKraft]

Awesome video.
Are you still using the interface and do you still recommend it ?
I was thinking of buying one.

[Rsdillon]

Thanks for the video. My m4u will be here in a couple days.

[NiElsir]

Wow - this is exactly what I have been looking for. Have you used this with a DAW setup to send clock to the unit / do you know if this would work? Had a look at the manual with mentions this as "Applications" so hopeful this would work.

[Randallkoller]

ESI is an underrated company, They were making some audio interfaces for a while that sounded better than anything on the market at the time, The MaxIO XD was nothing short of stunning! Then they suddenly stopped manufacturing them! Likely for lack of marketing awareness, they could have taken over a huge sector of the market!

[alainszyller]

I am unable to use one MIDI in connected to everything else as MIDI out.
I use the device in connection with my DAW since I want to record what I play.
I understand there are things to learn but so far, the MIDI daisy chaining worked much better than the M8U eX,
Maybe I will have to sell it and try something that works better.

Actually,
I understand it's my fault.
I should have read the entire user's guide before buying it.

In standalone mode ... these modes are fixed of the MIDI I/O’s and cannot be changed or configured free.
In standalone mode there is not auto detection of the MIDI input or output because only the 3 modes are available, these are fixed!

Here is the confusion,
My understanding was that I would get something pretty much similar to MRCC MIDI Router Control Center

​But What ESI M8UeX does is basically
Midiplus MIDI8x8 MIDI Interface $113.89
+ an independant 3 inlets USB HUB
Onvian 3 Port USB Hub High Speed Splitter Plug and Play Bus Powered, Black $8.99

+ a way to connect it to your computer but this decreases the functionality of it

[musictecedu]

Does the 16 ports give 16 discrete channels PER port? Meaning 256 MIDI channels in all. There’s nothing mentioned about this in all the reviews, so does it means that all the ports only send 16 midi channels in all? I’m looking for an interface that gives more than 16 channels like the MOTU interfaces which unfortunately is no longer in stock. 😢

[Molluszk]

Hi Rodney, I have a lot of gear. (synths, drum boxes etc..) I need all to connected to a THRU box because of the midi clock, latency... So I need a THRU box mainly. The M8U is work as a thru box right?
But I also need to connect one of my synth (Elektron Syntakt) to an AKAI Midimix. For that I would need a USB midi host box as well. Since I can not connect them together. I want the Midimix to control the Syntakt.
So my other question is that can I also do this with the M8U?
Waiting for your answer .
Thx a lot!
David

[adriancscott]

07:40: I like things that function, Yamaha DX7, my Alpha Juno’s, not pretty, but… Boom!!! Amongst many others…

[alainszyller]

thank you for this great video
I just got 2 days ago the ESI M8U eX 16-Port.
I have a few questions / issues:
1/ It seems that the USB hub doesn't connect with the regular 5 PIN MIDI
I have one device: Roli Seaboard 49 Gen.1 that only connects via USB-MIDI, no 5PIN connection on it
Not sure but I expected the USB hub to be a MIDI connection but I wonder now if it's not only a power connection, which would be disappointing
2/ On my computer, the 3 USB/MIDI connections available and the #1 5PIN port are not visible
3/ if I want to use it with my computer DAW, do i necessarily need to unplug the AC/DC connection ?

[colinsnape]

You know, the first thought I had when you held up the user guide was 'what a waste of resources'. I then laughed when you said how great it was to get a paper copy, then found the plastic packaging so annoying. Save the planet folks! Anyway, thanks for the informative vid.

[antoniocalimero]

I have a midi keybord and 8 modules.. is it possible to choose the modules?

[Spronge]

I am looking for a decent midi interface, and scrolling through them, the color was what got my attention, saw the specs, the price ... no brainer.

[tpinel]

Hi. Does it work wiith Sysex? Is it compatible with MacOs 14 Sonoma? Thank you?

[bobclark]

So did I get the clunker? The thing turns on but all my devices will not work in Abelton Live..wow! Stand alone seems ok..but is very limiting with paired ports and not the sweet idea of plug n play I was hoping for.

[AnalogFlava]

Im. sure you must have considered the motu midi express 128? But is the ESI still worth it one year later?

[JacobSkriver]

It looks great with some nice features. But when I look around at my own synth collection most of them also have MIDI via USB so basicly my setup is a 13 port USB-interface where most of synths are plugged directly into. Do you still run MIDI DIN from all your equipment?

[Progress]

The plastics protects them from humidity and water damage.... you never know what's gonna happen to the box after it leaves the factory.

[THEREALDATALORD]

USB 2 has more stability in my experience.

[a-fox]

The ESU M8U ex is junk unless all you want is a way to control your midi devices with your computer. As far as MIDI to MIDI connections forget it. For a while it powered up when using without USB but now it does not. This is a good example of how new tech is lacking when it comes to understanding older tech. Update.... it now won't power on with usb.... bigger piece of junk than I previously thought.