This is a cool solution for anyone with a bunch of synths and MIDI gear that doesn't need a computer as part of their setup. Let me know if you'd like to explore the advanced features in another video. Please LIKE, COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE if you like videos like this one.
Great video. I own a msb rev2+ but I simply use it as a 1x8 thru. I recently picked up a used Synapse for cheap and I’m thrilled because I’ve been looking for one forever! About merging…manual says only 2 inputs can be merged per processor…so does that mean at most you can only merge 4 inputs to 1 output?
Hi Charles.... the merging function is the sum of 1, 2 or 3 internal MIDI Processors in the Synapse. Assign each Processor with a "P" under the MERGE label on the far right side of the display. For every MIDI output on the Synapse that you want the merged Processors to exit the machine, assign that output number a "U" (for merge, or "unity"). At most you can merge 3 inputs that exit to 20 outputs. Hope that clarifies the procedure; the Synapse manual isn't easy to grasp without hours of use on the unit while reading through each chapter. Eventually it'll become second nature, so hang tight my friend: it'll be totally worth it!
@@vintageMIDI THANK YOU for such a detailed response. It’s a disappointingly small capability to only be able to merge at most 3 inputs. This will limit it’s usefulness in my admittedly ridiculously large midi setup. I currently use two modern devices that merge 6 into 1 on each device. I was hoping the synapse could do the work of both of these units I have now. As it appears it can only do 1/2 of what 1 of my mergers do….they’re actually much more than mergers but that’s how I use them…but they are new things….I can find a way to use it but it’s not what I had in mind.
Awesome video on a rare and still unmatched piece of gear. I have two of these I would like to connect via the ribbon cable connector on the back. I don’t have the ribbon cable. Do you know anything about it? Is it standard? Where might I pick up one?
Glad you enjoyed this video. I made it because I found virtually nothing about the Synapse prior to buying one on eBay. I've acquired a second unit recently on Reverb and just ordered a standard 20 pin cable form Amazon: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AG9GXV4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Folks on GearSlutz suggested it was probably just a ribbon cable with a direct pin-to-pin connection, which seems logical. The Synapse manual outlines that only additional OUTPUTS are possible; inputs are fixed at 16 no matter how many Synapses are chained. AFAIK the first Synapse will just see the linked Synapse and route outputs accordingly. Powering up the second unit and then the first unit would make sense so the first unit knows the second exists. Might also be worth checking both Synapses to see what firmware is in each. I have a v1.04 & a v1.05, so I wonder if they'll play nicely together. Maybe it makes no difference, but would be curious to know your versions. Unfortunately you have to do a visual check on the EPROM to know the firmware version. Hope my ramblings help.
Thoughtful Clips great reply and you got farther than I did! I emailed JL Cooper to no response too. Since you’re taking the plunge to try it, I’ll wait for your response here before ordering and trying myself. I haven’t cracked mine open yet. I have three actually because I love them so much I want backup(s) if they fail. So far none have. I use two and they’re fully wired up in a rack so a huge pain to tear out and check firmware but I’m going to rebuild my studio soon so that will be the time depending on your findings here. Great to see someone still enjoy these things as much as I do. I have high hopes for that Kickstarter that looks like a reasonable replacement for the Synapse... but we shall see.
Three Synapse routers would be an incredible setup. 16x60!!!! I'm on the verge of getting an EPROM reader/writer to backup Synapse firmware, among other synth gear. This dude has a downloadable collection of firmware for old gear, but the Synapse isn't in there: dbwbp.com/index.php/9-misc/37-synth-eprom-dumps I sent JLC a support question today RE: the pinout on the Synapse expansion port; the tech could not confirm with certainty, but believes the port to be pin-for-pin. The IDC ribbon cable arrived yesterday, so I'll be experimenting this weekend. Stay tuned.....
Even though I have the Digital Music Corp MX-8, this is a great refresher as I have forgotten how I originally programmed that 30 years ago.
Glad the video helped out. These ol' MIDI routers essentially accomplish the tasks in a similar method. Those MX-8 systems are pretty sweet, too.
This is a cool solution for anyone with a bunch of synths and MIDI gear that doesn't need a computer as part of their setup. Let me know if you'd like to explore the advanced features in another video. Please LIKE, COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE if you like videos like this one.
We are planing do a ultimate synth rack
I'm loving the new quick cuts
Thanks. Gear demos sometimes need more interesting visuals.
Great video. I own a msb rev2+ but I simply use it as a 1x8 thru. I recently picked up a used Synapse for cheap and I’m thrilled because I’ve been looking for one forever! About merging…manual says only 2 inputs can be merged per processor…so does that mean at most you can only merge 4 inputs to 1 output?
Hi Charles.... the merging function is the sum of 1, 2 or 3 internal MIDI Processors in the Synapse. Assign each Processor with a "P" under the MERGE label on the far right side of the display. For every MIDI output on the Synapse that you want the merged Processors to exit the machine, assign that output number a "U" (for merge, or "unity").
At most you can merge 3 inputs that exit to 20 outputs.
Hope that clarifies the procedure; the Synapse manual isn't easy to grasp without hours of use on the unit while reading through each chapter. Eventually it'll become second nature, so hang tight my friend: it'll be totally worth it!
@@vintageMIDI THANK YOU for such a detailed response. It’s a disappointingly small capability to only be able to merge at most 3 inputs. This will limit it’s usefulness in my admittedly ridiculously large midi setup. I currently use two modern devices that merge 6 into 1 on each device. I was hoping the synapse could do the work of both of these units I have now. As it appears it can only do 1/2 of what 1 of my mergers do….they’re actually much more than mergers but that’s how I use them…but they are new things….I can find a way to use it but it’s not what I had in mind.
Awesome video on a rare and still unmatched piece of gear. I have two of these I would like to connect via the ribbon cable connector on the back. I don’t have the ribbon cable. Do you know anything about it? Is it standard? Where might I pick up one?
Glad you enjoyed this video. I made it because I found virtually nothing about the Synapse prior to buying one on eBay. I've acquired a second unit recently on Reverb and just ordered a standard 20 pin cable form Amazon: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AG9GXV4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Folks on GearSlutz suggested it was probably just a ribbon cable with a direct pin-to-pin connection, which seems logical. The Synapse manual outlines that only additional OUTPUTS are possible; inputs are fixed at 16 no matter how many Synapses are chained. AFAIK the first Synapse will just see the linked Synapse and route outputs accordingly. Powering up the second unit and then the first unit would make sense so the first unit knows the second exists.
Might also be worth checking both Synapses to see what firmware is in each. I have a v1.04 & a v1.05, so I wonder if they'll play nicely together. Maybe it makes no difference, but would be curious to know your versions. Unfortunately you have to do a visual check on the EPROM to know the firmware version.
Hope my ramblings help.
Thoughtful Clips great reply and you got farther than I did! I emailed JL Cooper to no response too. Since you’re taking the plunge to try it, I’ll wait for your response here before ordering and trying myself. I haven’t cracked mine open yet. I have three actually because I love them so much I want backup(s) if they fail. So far none have. I use two and they’re fully wired up in a rack so a huge pain to tear out and check firmware but I’m going to rebuild my studio soon so that will be the time depending on your findings here. Great to see someone still enjoy these things as much as I do. I have high hopes for that Kickstarter that looks like a reasonable replacement for the Synapse... but we shall see.
Three Synapse routers would be an incredible setup. 16x60!!!! I'm on the verge of getting an EPROM reader/writer to backup Synapse firmware, among other synth gear. This dude has a downloadable collection of firmware for old gear, but the Synapse isn't in there:
dbwbp.com/index.php/9-misc/37-synth-eprom-dumps
I sent JLC a support question today RE: the pinout on the Synapse expansion port; the tech could not confirm with certainty, but believes the port to be pin-for-pin. The IDC ribbon cable arrived yesterday, so I'll be experimenting this weekend. Stay tuned.....
Thoughtful Clips I bought the cable from Amazon but haven’t given it a shot yet. Have you?
Spent the evening testing the Synapse coupling. Works perfectly. Video will post on Tuesday. Makes me want a third and/or fourth Synapse!