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Additional second MIDI port and CPU upgrade questions

Posted: 07 Apr 2026 19:16
by BeigeFM
Hey all. Long time no speak!


I want to get an additional 16 channels of MIDI out.
What's the best (cheapest) way?

Is there a circuit diagram to create a printer port to MIDI cable?

Also, would Cubase / Midi benefit from the 16MHZ CPU upgrade?

Atari STE with 4MB Ram , really want to keep learning to use this as a Music computer :)

Thank you!

Re: Additional second MIDI port and CPU upgrade questions

Posted: 08 Apr 2026 21:02
by Atari74user
Hi there!

If you want to build one, these sites are useful:

1. http://atari4ever.free.fr/hardware/serial.html - See MIDIXTRA download, which will add 16 channels via one MIDI out despite what the description says. There is also MIDI48 which is indeed 3 MIDI outs.
2. https://www.concordstudio.altervista.or ... atari.html - Another 48 channel here.
3. https://info-coach.fr/atari/hardware/interfaces.php - This is useful.

The one port MIDI devices are generally via the serial / modem port, and you can simply use the MROS driver typically used for the C-Lab / Emagic ExPort.

Personally it is my opinion accelerators are useful for MIDI sequencers, if only for screen re-draws.

Re: Additional second MIDI port and CPU upgrade questions

Posted: 09 Apr 2026 17:21
by BeigeFM
Thanks for the reply :)

That first link is a bit of a goldmine! I will have some fun browsing everything posted there.

I've just picked up a Fostex D108 for 70 notes. I can't play a note or sing a note of music but I'm getting my kicks connecting this stuff together and it's cheap. Needs a hard drive caddy so I'll have to look into alternatives.

I'll not worry about the CPU upgrade for now. It's been on my list for a few years... At the rate I'm learning the screen Refresh isn't the problem ;)

G

Re: Additional second MIDI port and CPU upgrade questions

Posted: 09 Apr 2026 17:52
by BeigeFM
Atari74user wrote: 08 Apr 2026 21:02 Hi there!

If you want to build one, these sites are useful:

1. http://atari4ever.free.fr/hardware/serial.html - See MIDIXTRA download, which will add 16 channels via one MIDI out despite what the description says. There is also MIDI48 which is indeed 3 MIDI outs.
2. https://www.concordstudio.altervista.or ... atari.html - Another 48 channel here.
3. https://info-coach.fr/atari/hardware/interfaces.php - This is useful.

The one port MIDI devices are generally via the serial / modem port, and you can simply use the MROS driver typically used for the C-Lab / Emagic ExPort.

Personally it is my opinion accelerators are useful for MIDI sequencers, if only for screen re-draws.
Yep, Midi Extra, exactly what I was looking for !

Re: Additional second MIDI port and CPU upgrade questions

Posted: 09 Apr 2026 22:44
by Atari74user
BeigeFM wrote: 09 Apr 2026 17:21 Thanks for the reply :)

That first link is a bit of a goldmine! I will have some fun browsing everything posted there.

I've just picked up a Fostex D108 for 70 notes. I can't play a note or sing a note of music but I'm getting my kicks connecting this stuff together and it's cheap. Needs a hard drive caddy so I'll have to look into alternatives.

I'll not worry about the CPU upgrade for now. It's been on my list for a few years... At the rate I'm learning the screen Refresh isn't the problem ;)

G
Most welcome, as antiquate as this era of technology may be, it still has its place and use, certainly for MIDI, and connecting and getting devices working and sending data to each other is part of the fun for sure.