MOTU FastLane USB

Update - two years later: The device is still working without issue. I've used it for numerous recording and live performance gigs, and at present it is the interface for live performance between two midi controller keyboards and my PC which runs Native Instruments B4 Virtual Hammond Organ. To reiterate, I use this for live performance and have not had a problem. The PC I use was dedicated for this purpose and is a clean install of Win XP, SP 1a, MOTU fastlane USB, Creative SB Live with KX Project low latency driver and utilities, and Native Instruments B4. Since both MIDI keyboard controllers I am using tx on channel 1, I also use MIDI OX for realtime MIDI data remapping, and MIDI YOKE to connect the output of MIDI OX to the input of B4.

The guy who was having all the problems with "blue screens", crashing and such probably has a crappy PC or one that doesn't have a clean installation of Windows (or even an older version such as 98, or Me).

I just don't have the problems with it that he seems to have so many difficulties with.

This is a MIDI interface not a synth. It passes all data from all 16 channels for both the A and B inputs and outputs (both directions)

Unit is rock solid! Never had a problem with it. It's been dropped a few times and yanked off the top of the keyboard during performance...it's still ticking. I use it on two live gigs a week without a backup. Definitely dependable. I will be getting a second one in the near future to add additional equipment with. The second one could also serve as a backup, but never had a need for a backup or replacement.

Never had a need to deal with Customer Support. I have successfully upgraded the drivers by visiting their web site and that's the extent of the customer service that I ever needed.

I have about 3 years working experience with this unit and would buy another one in a heartbeat. It just works. No complaints, no problems, just plug it in, boot the pc, start my VSTi software and start playing. Definitely no geek factor needed with this device (although people who see my setup say there is definitely a geek factor in the entire rig ;-D)

Plug-in-Play :)

2x2 usb midi interface. Midi thru button is great! plus it works even when the computers off. i wish it was more heavey so it would slide around so easily.
i would love more ports, but i got what i paid for...

whats a backup?

non needed, you have to be a retard to mess this one up

great reliably 2x2 usb midi inter face... if all you need is 2x2 then this is a geat choice.

When it works, there's nothing to it. It's very simple to use. Manual is non-existent.

Strictly a no-frills MIDI interface--I preferred my MusicQuest MQX-32m MUCH MUCH better---but of course it wasn't supported under Win2k.

Can't depend on it at all. The Feb 2002 drivers cause Blue Screen of Death everytime you exit Cakewalk or switch to another midi driver. Frequently loses connection with operating system and has to be "Stopped" via system tray, unplugged, then re-attached in order to get communication back.

What customer support? As far as MOTU is concerned there's only Mac in the world....

As soon as I can find a reasonably priced replacement, the Fastlane is going to become my studio doorstop.

The MOTU FastLaneUSB is a 2x2 MIDI interface. Since there are no categories for interfaces, the "Synths" category seemed the best because that is why I looked at a multi-in/out interface in the first place. I had been using a 1x1 joystick port MIDI interface with Cakewalk Express Gold 6.0 for almost a year now, and with the recent addition of another MIDI keyboard needed to be able to address both sound engines and record input from both keyboards simultaneously. I had called a local music store, the Music Box in Utica, MI who seems to carry a lot of MIDI gear when the other stores do not. I was looking for a Thru 1x4 when I really needed a 2x2 device (or NxN) device to account for future expansion. The owner informed me that he thought they had an 8x8 with documentation and he could sell it to me for a reasonable price since it had been kicking around for a year. When I arrived at the store, and he tried to locate the unit, he discovered it was sold a week earlier. On goodwill, he said that he would sell me a 2x2 interface at cost since I made a special trip only to find the unit sold, and so I bought the MOTU FastLaneUSB. The manual is simple, mostly going into how to install the drivers. It is Mac or Windows compatible but needs Win98 or greater. Installation involves installing the drivers, followed by plugging in the USB cable so Windows can reconfigure its driver information database. At that point you are ready to rock.

This unit has 2 MIDI ins and 2 MIDI outs, each of which appears to the system to be a separate midi channel (I/O) which can address 16 MIDI sound module channels independent of the other. Each of the I/O ports has an LED to indicate MIDI activity. There is also a "thru" switch so that inputs can pass to outputs if the computer is turned off or the USB cable is disconnected. Expansion to more ports is by purchasing additional 2x2 devices, and plugging them into the USB bus, which can either be accomplished by using the USB ports on your computer, or through a USB hub. Since I needed to record from each keyboard independently and drive the sound module independently, this unit provides exactly what I needed with expansion capabilities if necessary.

As I understand it, all MIDI data passes through it in both directions. Because this unit uses USB it features better timing accuracy and increased bandwidth. The THRU button apparently allows one controller to play both sound modules, but I haven't tested this yet. Adjusting Cakewalk Express Gold settings to read both inputs and drive both outputs simultaneously was a simple process although Cakewalk Express was a little vague in how to get this to work - when presented with both ports and all 32 channels, I had to map one port and its 16 channels to one instrument and click OK, then reopen the Instruments dialog and map the second port and its 16 channels to the second instrument and click ok again. Finally in the song dialog I had to reselect the appropriate instrument and its patches for each track recorded so they could play the appropriate voice on the appropriate keyboard. From a simplicity standpoint, installing the MOTU FastLaneUSB and getting it up and running with my setup couldn't have been simpler. Getting it to work with my sequencer software was a little more challenging, but Cakewalk accommodated it with no problem. Just make sure that your sequencer can accept multiple source input and can drive multiple sources on the output.

MOTU seems to be well established in the industry. From a construction standpoint, this little unit is rock solid and built with quality. It comes with the USB cable and powers off of the USB interface. I feel that I could use it on a gig without a backup.

I haven't had the chance to use customer support yet, and don't know if I will have to. Their web site at http://www.motu.com seems to have a lot of information on their products and software downloads as well for driver upgrades, etc. This unit worked out of the box and set up with little effort with my software. Since I don't have experience in this area, I'll give it a 6 based on the completeness of their web site and the apparent support it provides.

I would buy this device again. With the plethora of MIDI I/O devices on the market at far higher prices this is a good alternative to expansion and can be done incrementally without having to lay out big cash for ports you don't need. Thanks to the Music Box in Utica, MI for introducing me to this product.