Just snagged one of these, the new CME H12MIDIpro, on the pre-order deal from CME Pro. I heard about this device just a few weeks ago via CME Pro’s customer mailing list and was intrigued.
Right now I have three active dedicated MIDI controllers in the studio (and a few others in the closet):
- Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII
- Arturia KeyStep Pro
- Novation Launch Control XL3
I also have several other pieces of hardware that offer external MIDI control. My Elektron Digi boxes are a good example. I often want to attach different synths to these for composition. But when I’m not running a DAW, I find I have to constantly reroute things, or I run out of input or thru port connectivity along the way.
I also no longer have the means to route as flexibly as I’d like with so much hardware. Some box always ends up at the wrong end of the pipe, unless I want to turn the computer on and deal with routing in the DAW. My hope is that the CME H12MIDIpro will help me overcome these limitations.
It’s small enough that I can also pack it for a gig if I have special connectivity needs. It might also come in handy at a synth group jam! Since it uses TRS MIDI ports instead of the large 5-pin DIN kind, it can stay very small. Since several of my hardware units also use TRS MIDI ports that means I can wire them using a simple 3.5mm TRS cable! (Which also means I can free up their TRS MIDI adapters for use on my full size gear.)
These are shipping at the end of April and I’m excited to try it when it gets here! I’ll definitely make a YouTube video about it once I can put it through its paces.