Product review: MIDIJet Pro

--Accessories--

WHAT HAVE PIPE organs got to do with e-drums? Surprisingly, the answer is wirelessMIDI. In 2004, MIDIWorks launched a deviceto allow pipe organ technicians to use aportable MIDI keyboard to tune their giantinstallations. And that’s probably where theMIDIJet Pro would have remained had it notbeen for Michael Brecker looking for a way toplay his MIDI wind controller wirelessly.

When U2’s Terry Lawless used the device forkeyboards and drum triggers on the Vertigotour, MIDIJet entered the mainstream.

So why would e-drummers be interested?Exhibit A is the Zendrum, the portable MIDItrigger array which can be worn like a guitarand played on the move. Of course, it needs tobe tethered to a power supply and a module,meaning a cumbersome MIDI cable.

Zendrum has been fitting MIDIJet Pros into itsinstruments as a custom install (and retro-fit)item for some time, but digitalDrummer’s testwas done on a stock-standard Z4. (Zendrumand MIDIJet collaborated to provide a battery-powered solution for the Zendrum itself.)

What’s in the boxThe kit consists of twoMIDIJet Pro USB boxes – ablack transmitter and awhite receiver (and yes,they do need to be plugged

into the appropriate device, or they won’t haveanything to transmit and receive – trust me!).

You’ll also get a 7.5 v external power supply,some batteries and a belt clip.

There’s also an easy-to-follow user manual,and set-up is a breeze, especially since thetwo units have already been synced at thefactory. It really is plug and play – provided youconnect the transmitter to MIDI Out and thereceiver to MIDI In.

In actionThe two ‘boxes’ are identical on the outside,but clearly one needs ‘internal’ power for thetransmitter, and you’ll need to pop a couple ofAA batteries into that one.

When it’s powered up, you’ll see the powerlight illuminated. The receiver can be poweredeither by battery, mains (using the adaptor) orUSB, if you’re connecting to a computer. Again,the power light goes on and the blinkingconnect light lets you know that there’s someMIDI communication.

I tested the MIDIJet Pro with a Zendrum andwith a Korg padKONTROL, connecting both tovarious drummodules and to aMacBook Prorunning Reaperand various VSTs. Iused both MIDI In

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and USB connections and also experimentedwith an AudioBox USB.

In all the applications, the connection wasflawless. Whether using external power or USBbus power, the receiver found the transmitterthe moment it was switched on.

The new generation has a built-in MIDI-USBinterface, eliminating the need for a separateinterface and, I suspect, reducing latency atouch.

On the latency front, MIDIJet quotes ameasure of - 2.7ms. In reality, there was a veryslight sluggishness; for example, when theZendrum was connected to a module and Iwas playing 16th notes through the MIDIJet,compared to a 20 foot MIDI cable. But thedelay was almost imperceptible compared to aMIDI cable through the AudioBox USB. In otherwords, the internal MIDI-USB translation is noslower than the MIDI transmission into aninterface and then translated into USB.

MIDIJet quotes a range of 500 feet – waybeyond the recommended maximum cablelength for MIDI. I tested it close to that limit –and continued to get reliable triggering eventhrough walls, although that’s notrecommended.

The final wordThe Canadian-made MIDIJet Pro kit sells foraround $450 and virtually stands alone in itsmarket segment. There are a couple ofcompeting products, but one appears to bediscontinued and the other looks like it’s almostimpossible to find.

The MIDIJet Pro is compact enough to wear onyour Zen strap, looks and feels tough andresilient and, most importantly, is totally plugand play. There’s no stuffing around and verylittle scope to plug the things in anywhere butthe right place.

Sure, there’s a touch of latency, but almost notenough to notice and certainly not enough todetract from the freedom provided by cuttingthe umbilical cord to the module or computer.Zendrummers, in particular, will revel in theability to walk around and show off theirinstrument. If you’re considering ordering abrand new Zendrum, don’t skip past theMIDIJet Pro option without giving it somethought. The built-in option is by far the mostelegant – and it‘ll cost less than trying to get itretrofitted – or doing it yourself.

In short, the MIDIJet Pro simply works – andworks simply enough for the average e-drummer to plug, play and enjoy. Whether youneed mobility or simply want to transmit MIDIacross distance - for example, from your e-kitto a DAW on the mixing desk at the back of thevenue - this is an elegant solution that won’tbreak the bank. And, of course, if you everdecided to start tuning pipe organs for a hobby,you’ll be set for that, too.

SPECIFICATIONSRange: 500 feetTransmission: Bi-directional on 2.4 GHzlicence-free bandLatency: - 2.7msTransmitter battery life: 20-30 hoursWarranty: One yearStreet price: $450

A no-fuss design makes the MIDIJet Pro easy to use

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