MOTU Micro Lite USB MIDI Interface

by Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU)

Product Features

• MIDI Connectivity
• Expansion and Compatibility
• USB-powered

Product Details

• Item Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 pounds
• ASIN: B0002NRFH6
• Item model number: MICRO LITE
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,262 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #33 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Computer Recording > MIDI Interfaces

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Built from the same technology found in MOTU's flagship MIDI Timepiece, the micro lite is a professional MIDI interface that provides portable, plug-and-play connectivity to any USB-equipped Macintosh or Windows computer.

The micro lite provides 5 MIDI IN, 5 MIDI OUT, 80 MIDI channels and compatibility with all Macintosh and Windows software. Large front-panel LEDs illuminate to indicate MIDI activity.

The micro lite takes full advantage of USB, giving you high-speed MIDI throughput, sub-millisecond timing accuracy, support for "hot-swapping" and plug-and-play expansion. Need to connect another sound module or synth? No problem. Just add another MOTU USB MIDI interface via any available USB port. And the micro lite is powered by the USB port -- no wall wart or AC plug.

With its attractive yet rugged metal casing, the micro lite slides easily into a shoulder bag or briefcase for ultra-compact portability and convenient desktop operation. Removable rack attachments, as well as a custom center-joint fastener, are included and allow you to easily mount two micro lites side by side in a standard 19-inch equipment rack.

No other MIDI interface offers this much value, performance and portability at such an affordable price.

Features

• MIDI connectivity - Five MIDI inputs and outputs provide 80 MIDI channels.
• Expansion - MOTU MIDI interfaces grow with you. Expansion is simple. Add additional MIDI ports by plugging in another MOTU MIDI interface.
• Compatibility - Works with your favorite software. Includes drivers for Mac OS9, Mac OS X and Windows Me/2000/XP. High-speed USB connection.
• USB-powered - Bus-powered from USB connection. No additional power necessary.

Product Description

Built from the same technology found in MOTU's flagship MIDI Timepiece, the micro lite is a professional MIDI interface that provides portable, plug-and-play connectivity to any USB-equipped Macintosh or Windows computer. The micro lite provides 5 MIDI IN, 5 MIDI OUT, 80 MIDI channels and compatibility with all Macintosh and Windows software. Large front-panel LEDs illuminate to indicate MIDI activity. The micro lite takes full advantage of USB, giving you high-speed MIDI throughput, sub-millisecond timing accuracy, support for "hot-swapping" and plug-and-play expansion. Need to connect another sound module or synth? No problem. Just add another MOTU USB MIDI interface via any available USB port. And the micro lite is powered by the USB port -- no wall wart or AC plug. With its attractive yet rugged metal casing, the micro lite slides easily into a shoulder bag or briefcase for ultra-compact portability and convenient desktop operation. Removable rack attachments, as well as a custom center-joint fastener, are included and allow you to easily mount two micro lites side by side in a standard 19-inch equipment rack.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid unit from a good company, killer bang-for-the-buck..., May 20, 2011

By 

D. Harris "Mad scientist" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MOTU Micro Lite USB MIDI Interface

I've been using a MOTU Micro-Lite for 3+ years now, and it works flawlessly. The software for the unit is pretty much lacking, but there are plenty of free utilities like MidiOX to make it do what you need it to. For a 5x5 interface as solid as this unit is, the little-over-$100 is a pretty dang good deal....And I defy anyone to find something with this many ports to approach it in bang-to-buck ratio.

I began using it under Windows XP, and MOTU had driver support already in place well in advance when I switched over to Windows 7 x64. The lack of proper bundled software is regrettable and i'll deduct a star accordingly...But since it was pretty much no trouble at all for me to find a solution for free, that's probably too harsh.

I'll be picking up another soon...Mine's full already.

PROS:
Rugged
inexpensive
excellent driver support
works flawlessly, every time

CONS:
No discernable bundle of software/tools

5.0 out of 5 stars Works great with my mac pro and Korg Triton, March 23, 2010

By 

Ryan S. (NY,NY USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: MOTU Micro Lite USB MIDI Interface

I use this with my Korg Triton Studio 88 key keyboard using both logic studio and cubase. The Microlite works great, was easy to setup and is extremely reliable. There is not much else to say it works perfectly and and is well built.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Motu Micro Lite Midi Interface Mac, August 27, 2010

By 

Mforehand - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: MOTU Micro Lite USB MIDI Interface

The Motu Micro Lite Midi Interface is a good product, it is has a simple clean design and is very well built. I purchased it to use in my private studio for my imac based recording setup.My disappointment is with the software, I went to Motu's site, downloaded the correct drivers, and the unit is working, however, it was designed to rely HEAVILY upon your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), in my case I am using Proppellerheads Reason with Record (which I am very happy with). So far, the only way I can get the unit to recognise my devices (connected to the Motu) is to unplug everything else connected to it then force the connection by making it the only option available. Then it will work.
It is the software interface that is lacking, I was expecting and needing the software to give me an on screen routing system that would allow me to (visually) assign any output to any input, along with the ability to split and or merge as needed. (like what I had for my JLCooper MSB+ for my old Atari setup).
I am keeping the unit because it is CORE Midi compliant which is what I need to work with Mac OSX. This unit is the only one that had the right amount of inputs for my needs, and was CORE midi compliant, that also fit my budget. I hope Motu will take make software development a higher priority. I feel as if I got just half of what I should of gotten. Hence three stars.