Question 1

What is a MIDI router?

Accepted Answer

A MIDI router is a hardware device that directs MIDI data from one or more input devices to one or more output devices. Unlike a simple MIDI thru box or hub that sends all data everywhere, a true MIDI router like MidiXLate inspects each MIDI packet and routes it only to the intended destination — giving you precise control over which devices receive which MIDI messages.

Question 2

How is MidiXLate different from a MIDI hub or MIDI thru box?

Accepted Answer

A MIDI hub or thru box simply duplicates all incoming MIDI data and sends it to every connected device. MidiXLate is a true router — it inspects every MIDI packet and routes it exactly where you define, with filtering, translation, and channel locking. You control which input ports send to which output ports, and which types of MIDI messages are allowed through.

Question 3

Can MidiXLate filter specific MIDI messages?

Accepted Answer

Yes. MidiXLate can filter by MIDI message type (Note, Program Change, Control Change, SysEx) on a per-port basis. For example, you can allow notes to pass from a keyboard to a synth while blocking program change messages, or limit a pedal board to only sending CC messages to specific devices.

Question 4

How do I configure MidiXLate?

Accepted Answer

MidiXLate includes a free Windows PC configuration app. Connect via USB-C Port 2 and use the visual rule builder to define your routing, filtering, translation, and channel locking rules. Once configured, download the rules to the router — it then operates standalone without a PC connection.

Question 5

Can I try MidiXLate before buying?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sierra Digital Audio offers a rental program at $150/month (customer pays shipping both ways). The full rental cost applies toward the $850 purchase price if you decide to buy.

Question 6

What is the latency of MidiXLate?

Accepted Answer

MidiXLate uses an 84 MHz ARM Cortex-M3 processor that handles each MIDI message in microseconds, resulting in less than 1ms of latency — far below any perceptible threshold for live performance.

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