digitalDrummer explores a new compact MIDI hub.
CME, which revolutionised wireless MIDI with its compact, easy-to-use WIDI products, has stepped up the game with a couple of new router-type devices.
digitalDrummer got to test the “host” version – the H4MIDI WC.
What’s in the box
Like its WIDI siblings, the H4MIDI WC is a compact, fuss-free box. It is significantly larger than the WIDI transmitters and receivers – mostly to accommodate a bunch of input and output jacks ranging from USB to traditional five-pin MIDI.
Essentially, the device is a two-in, two-out MIDI router which allows you to connect a number of MIDI devices together.
To further enhance connectivity, users are able to easily add a wireless Bluetooth board – sold separately. Our test unit came with the WIDI Core chip which was very easy to install.
The box is intended to overcome the need for computers in the signal chain, and at the most basic level, you can connect separate MIDI devices using either USB or five-pin connectors.
In action
I watched a few demo videos by keyboardists as I learned to navigate my way around the H4MIDI WC and frankly, most of the applications had my head spinning. I saw musicians connect a bunch of keyboards, pedals and Ableton controllers using a mix of USB and five-pin connections.
These applications are clearly far above the pay grade of humble e-drummers, so I tried to test the device in more realistic situations.
The basic device-to-device connection was straightforward and effortless – simply connecting the MIDI Out from one device to the box and the MIDI In from another device to the five-pin out on the H4MIDI WC. Okay, no rocket science there, since I was effectively adding a redundant element to the signal chain. But what if you need to add two eDRUMin boxes to your TD-27? You can’t physically do that without a host box – and that’s where the H4MIDI WC comes into play.
Again, I just had to plug in the cables and the box did its job in default mode.
I was also able to connect the TD-27 and eDRUMin via USB only, using the module to power the eDRUMin, and that device to power the H4MIDI WC.
These days, pretty much every e-drum product outputs MIDI, but not always over a traditional five-pin jack. A growing number of drum modules have forgone the five-pin MIDI jack in favour of MIDI over USB or MIDI over Bluetooth – and the H4MIDI WC handles both without fuss.
But the real power of the H4MIDI WC is only really unlocked when you add the dedicated HxMIDI Tools app.
Admittedly, locating and installing the app was the hardest part of the testing process – it turned out that the Mac version is hosted on the App Store, where it should not be confused with the UxMIDI Tools app!
The app provides additional levels of control – from MIDI filtering to advanced mapping and routing.
It’s hard to imagine any e-drum application for MIDI filtering – a signal gatekeeper that only lets through desired MIDI data. I guess some drummers might use this function to ignore CC messages if one device doesn’t need that data.
There are, however, many potential uses for the advanced MIDI routing which directs MIDI data from one source to another within any musical setup.
The H4MIDI WC can be configured as a thru, merge, split and even more advanced routing solution.
The most basic function – and the one most likely to be used by e-drummers – is MIDI Thru, which duplicates incoming MIDI data from one input and forwards it to one or more outputs.
MIDI Merge, meanwhile, consolidates MIDI data from different devices into a single stream. For example, if you’re connecting a Zendrum or drumKAT to your module, MIDI Merge allows you to trigger sounds using both the external device and the pads and cymbals connected to your drum brain.
Or, if you’re using more than one trigger device with a VST, you can use MIDI merge to consolidate all the data from multiple sources and deliver it to the VST or DAW.
Best of all, once you have applied these advanced tools, you can unplug the H4MIDI WC from the computer. The settings are all saved onboard the box which will operate as a stand-alone connection.
Bottom line
While most of us have our hands full with a single device, increasingly e-drummers have more than one trigger source or controller – or they have more triggers than they can connect to a single module.
The current solutions involve complicated cable connections, hubs and computers to synch it all together. And connections are becoming more complicated as the hardware gets smarter, ditching traditional five-pin connections for MIDI over USB or Bluetooth.
So, the H4MIDI WC’s ability to seamlessly connect MIDI from virtually any source, via almost any connection – USB A, USB C, DIN or Bluetooth, makes it an invaluable clutter-cutter. Not only can you ditch the cord spaghetti, but you can also refine the signal chain and add filters and routing not previously possible without a computer.
If you’re one intent on pushing the boundaries and connecting various bits of MIDI gear, the H4MIDI WC is a no-brainer at $69.99 – but don’t skimp on the $30 Core WIDI add-on. The flexibility of Bluetooth takes the box to a new level, especially if you already have any WIDI devices.
Specifications
Connectivity: USB-A with up to 8-in-8-out Host ports (expandable via USB hub), 2-in-2-out five-pin MIDI, WIDI Bluetooth MIDI via optional WIDI Core with 1-in-1-out BLE MIDI and 1-to-4/4-to-1 group connectivity, USB-C with up to 4-in-4-out Client ports (virtual MIDI)
Functions: standalone USB host with MIDI routing, MIDI thru, MIDI merge,
Compatible devices: Class compliant USB MIDI hardware devices, MIDI controllers, PC, Mac, phones and tablets
Customisable presets: 4 (selectable on device)
Supported software: Most music software, major DAWs and music apps. Includes HxMIDI Tools (Win/Mac/iOS/Android) to set up advanced routing, filtering and mapping
Power: 5V USB or 9V DC
Street price: $69.99 (plus $30 for Core WIDI add-on)