MIDEX 8 is the latest innovation in MIDI interface technology from Steinberg, featuring 8 independent MIDI in- and outputs in a slick, 1-unit case. With fantastic timing and improved grooves, Steinberg's new LTB protocol gets your music where it should be - right on time.

Extended information

8 In - 8 Out USB MIDI Interface
Everyone knows about the timing precision of hardware sequencers - and Steinberg now brings that level of timing accuracy to modern operating systems with the MIDEX8. The key to this is Steinberg's unique Linear Time Base (LTB) communication protocol. LTB defines to sub-millisecond accuracy exactly when a MIDI event should leave the MIDEX 8. The responsibility of the MIDEX8 unit is to send the events at the right moment, free from any further intervention by the computer's operating system.

To LTB or not to LTB
This is an experiment to show Steinberg's new high-speed MIDI timing protocol LTB (Linear Time Base). It has already been integrated into the MIDEX series of Steinberg's MIDI interfaces MIDEX 3 und MIDEX 8, Nuendo, Cubase VST and Cubase SX/SL range of programs. LTB is a MIDI Time Stamping technique which differs from other formats in that it bypasses the computer's operating system. This is similar in concept to Steinberg's ASIO specification for audio card communication which significantly reduces latency.

High-speed MIDI timing is becoming more important in the age of virtual instruments. These offer sample-accurate timing and when combined with hardware MIDI devices, the timing differences can quickly become apparent. LTB solves this problem by tightening up MIDI communication to other external devices.

The following is a practical example of LTB's benefits
To ensure a stable reference point, a quarter-note click track on a rimshot with the sample accurate LM 4 VST drum machine was used. MIDI information was played through a typical, non-LTB interface and the audio output of the sound module was recorded as a stereo digital audio file. This was repeated using the MIDEX 8 MIDI interface which employs LTB.

Two audio files were exported out of Cubase. One combined the click track with the typical MIDI interface and the second file combined the click track with the LTB interface.

A third file was created that included the audio of the typical MIDI interface combined with the LTB interface.

The results were clear. The audio example with the typical MIDI interface resulted in a flam between the click track and drums. This was clearly audible and varied in time whereas there was no flam at all in the LTB example. When the LTB and typical MIDI interface are combined, there is a definite chorusing effect present showing the timing differences. The audio files were loaded into WaveLab to see if there were any visual differences in the waveform.

The timing differences can be visually seen as well. Figure 1 is the typical MIDI interface example. The arrow points to the click track. The gap between the click and the rest of the MIDI information is visible as well as audible. Figure 2 is the LTB example and no gap is visible or audible.

Please listen to the attached MP3 file (4.77 MB) to actually hear to LTB in action. Note the flams with the typical MIDI interface, the tightness of the LTB example and the distinct chorusing effect of both files combined.

Technical specifications

PC Version

* Operating System Windows 98SE, Windows 2000, Windows ME or Windows XP
* Host Application Please also note the minimum system requirements of your sequencer software
* Other LTB can only be used with Steinberg Cubase VST products and products which support the LTB protocol!

Mac Version

* Operating system MacOS 9.0 - 9.x (OMS 2.38 supplied)
* Host application MacOS 9.0 - 9.x (OMS 2.38 supplied)
* Other LTB can only be used with Steinberg Cubase VST products and products which support the LTB protocol!