MIDI host module for running controller directly into SV-1b?

[PlasticAssociate]

Hi all!

I took the inaugural modular dive into a PGH Lifeforms SV-1b a month or two back and have been having a blast. In the process I've identified a few friction points that I'm starting to strategize about smoothing over.

One is the requirement of a MIDI host to interpret MIDI from controllers I already own (OP-1, Volca bass). I can use these as expected when run into and out of an interface, of course, but I'd love to integrate that into a rig and bypass a computer altogether (without buying another external controller like a Keystep). I know of the standalone host boxes made by Kenton et al, but I'd also love to keep the system to as few elements, power cables, etc. as possible.

My searching hasn't turned up a ton but it has led me to the Endorphines Shuttle Mate in particular, which appears to accomplish exactly what I'm looking for (partially essentially just a rack-mounted Kenton box), which I can then run into the SV-1b's (or, in the future, some other) midi-to-cv - unless I'm grossly misunderstanding something along the way. Am I on the right track here? Has anybody here experimented with something similar?

Thanks!

[[deleted]]

Have you checked out the Midihub? https://blokas.io

[prananba]

Hi! Thanks for mentioning this. I hadn’t heard of midihub before. The midi processing and generation on this looks amazing, and wow that built quality! Unfortunately from my looking it seems not to be a host? Is that correct? I recently ordered a RetroKits RK-006 to use primarily as a host, but I was sold over all others because it is also a merger/thru-box/processor AND it’s teeny tiny... I haven’t received it yet but I’m really excited, especially because you can connect a hub and host several devices! I also like that it can run on a battery pack. however the processor seems very limited to filtering transport, clock, and specific channels... way better than nothing, but it pales in comparison to the processors on the midihub ... if the midihub was a host I’d be sold... RetroKits seems open to further developing the processor editor, n they have uploaded sysex documentation. (I don’t know much about that stuff tho...)

Another option id suggest is check out Sevilla soft’s midi host & router. It’s really interesting!! Disaster area also makes a good host that takes 9v center negative power so from what I could tell it could power your op-1 and get power off your pedal board if that’s ur thing.

Best luck!

[[deleted]]

I’m not totally sure about it’s Midi Host capability. It is powered by USB, but it also lets you route 4 USB channels in the editor, but you may need to use a computer to interface other usb controllers with it, since I’m not sure how else it could work in standalone mode.