Controlling Electro 2 rack with current controller

[jakepeake]

Just saw another rack thread, we're making a comeback!

So, being an old model it has midi and you can't control it with a usb. I am looking to control it with a current controller which have the printer type usb. Anybody come up with a cheap easy solution?
thanks in advance.

[fieldflower]

There are MIDI hubs with both DIN and USB ports.
Should be the easiest solution.

[jakepeake]

There are MIDI hubs with both DIN and USB ports.
Should be the easiest solution.

The USB port is for connecting to a computer to upload samples to the rack, correct? I don't think it can be used as a controller input, at least I hadn't been able to get it to work that way

[maxpiano]

You cannot connect 2 USB MIDI devices (type B connector) without a host (computer/tablet or a MIDI USB Host like Kenton’s) but I would rather get a controller with traditional MIDI DIN to pilot the NR2.

[fieldflower]

There are MIDI hubs with both DIN and USB ports.
Should be the easiest solution.

The USB port is for connecting to a computer to upload samples to the rack, correct? I don't think it can be used as a controller input, at least I hadn't been able to get it to work that way

I would assume the Electro USB is strictly for samples upload, given it's age.

But what I meant was to have a MIDI hub (or MIDI host) inbetween so that You go Controller USB out -> USB in MIDI controller DIN out -> Electro DIN in.
Then You can use Your "USB out" controller with the "DIN in" Electro.

Many sound interfaces also have both DIN and USB MIDI ports, so if You intend to use it stationary and have such a sound interface You could possibly make it work without purchasing a hub.
But if this is for gigging a MIDI hub is probably easiest.

Here a YT on the topic (long and slow explanation, but I found it to be very good if enduring the low tempo):

[anotherscott]

Just saw another rack thread, we're making a comeback!

So, being an old model it has midi and you can't control it with a usb. I am looking to control it with a current controller which have the printer type usb. Anybody come up with a cheap easy solution?
thanks in advance.

You need something to act as a USB host between the two devices. It can be your computer, an IOS device (e.g. iPhone, iPad), or a standalone host device. Which will be the cheapest depends on what you already own (and are willing to use) for this purpose. What will be easiest (as maxpiano kinda said) is to buy a controller that has the right connector in the first place (i.e. something with a standard 5-pin MIDI Out jack).

If you want a standalone host, in the U.S. at least, the least expensive I'm aware of at the moment is this one at about $60: https://amzn.to/3964oXy - but if you already own, for example, a lightning-equipped iPhone/iPad and a common computer (USB-A) to 5-pin DIN MIDI interface, all you'd need is an inexpensive app and Apple's lightning to USB adapter, which would be cheaper (and provide greater functionality).

There are MIDI hubs with both DIN and USB ports.
Should be the easiest solution.
...
what I meant was to have a MIDI hub (or MIDI host) inbetween

Based on the video you posted, we're talking about the same thing, but that's not what it's called. MIDI is a peer-to-peer system, not a host-slave system like USB, which is why there exist USB hosts and hubs (that can be used for MIDI), but no MIDI hosts or hubs. So you could arguably call it a MIDI USB host or a USB MIDI host, with the term "host" referring to "USB" in either case, but if you leave out "USB" from what you call it, referriung to it as a host no longer makes sense. Nor can you call it a hub except in the most generic sense of being a box you can plug multiple things into. Non-generically, a "USB hub" is a devuce you can plug multiple USB devuices into, a "MIDI hub" is something that does not exist.

[fieldflower]

There are MIDI hubs with both DIN and USB ports.
Should be the easiest solution.
...
what I meant was to have a MIDI hub (or MIDI host) inbetween

Based on the video you posted, we're talking about the same thing, but that's not what it's called. MIDI is a peer-to-peer system, not a host-slave system like USB, which is why there exist USB hosts and hubs (that can be used for MIDI), but no MIDI hosts or hubs. So you could arguably call it a MIDI USB host or a USB MIDI host, with the term "host" referring to "USB" in either case, but if you leave out "USB" from what you call it, referriung to it as a host no longer makes sense. Nor can you call it a hub except in the most generic sense of being a box you can plug multiple things into. Non-generically, a "USB hub" is a devuce you can plug multiple USB devuices into, a "MIDI hub" is something that does not exist.

If it works for the OP's purpose I think we can simply call it "Solution"...