Can the Pa5x be upgraded to use the new MIDI 2.0 protocol ?

[♔Chello]

Can the Pa5x be upgraded to use the new MIDI 2.0 protocol ?

   


I asked AI this question, and got the following answer:
The Pa5X, a Korg keyboard, is not designed to be upgraded to use the new MIDI 2.0 protocol through a software update. Instead, MIDI 2.0 functionality would likely require a complete hardware upgrade or a new device.

This could mean that a device might be created that, when connected to the Pa5X, allows the use of the MIDI 2.0 protocol..?

[✪BogdanH]

hi Chello,
Well, at least in this case, AI is right.

This could mean that a device might be created that, when connected to the Pa5X, allows the use of the MIDI 2.0 protocol..?

No, that's not possible. That would be similar as if we would connect two loudspeakers to mono amplifier: the result is still mono.
In short, keyboard (hardware & software) must meet MIDI 2.0 specs.
I'm not that familiar with MIDI 2.0 into detail, but among other things, it supports almost unlimited number of midi tracks. For that to handle, very low latency hardware is required. But there's probably more than that... i.e. to make use of (say) 64 tracks, probably higher polyphony number is required, etc. And finally, OS must handle all that.

Greetings,
Bogdan

[♔Chello]

hi Chello,
Well, at least in this case, AI is right.

This could mean that a device might be created that, when connected to the Pa5X, allows the use of the MIDI 2.0 protocol..?

No, that's not possible. That would be similar as if we would connect two loudspeakers to mono amplifier: the result is still mono.
In short, keyboard (hardware & software) must meet MIDI 2.0 specs.
I'm not that familiar with MIDI 2.0 into detail, but among other things, it supports almost unlimited number of midi tracks. For that to handle, very low latency hardware is required. But there's probably more than that... i.e. to make use of (say) 64 tracks, probably higher polyphony number is required, etc. And finally, OS must handle all that.

Greetings,
Bogdan

✪BogdanH

Thanks for your comment.

You are wrong, by the way:
What you are claiming is almost like saying that it is not possible to convert XG to GM, because XG contains more parameters which are also extended.
Some information will be omitted, but it will work.


It is possible to upgrade an arranger to handle the MIDI 2.0 protocol using a specially developed separate device. This can be achieved through a few different methods:

1: Dedicated MIDI 2.0 Translator/Converter:
A device can be designed specifically to bridge the gap between MIDI 1.0 (what most arrangers currently use) and MIDI 2.0.
This device would act as a translator, converting MIDI 1.0 messages from the arranger to MIDI 2.0 format, and vice-versa.
This allows the arranger to communicate with MIDI 2.0-enabled devices or systems.

2: Bluetooth MIDI may also be used to bridge the gap between MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0, according to CME.

[✪BogdanH]

Your question was:

...when connected to the Pa5X, allows the use of the MIDI 2.0 protocol..?

MIDI 2.0 is backward compatible. That means, one can connect MIDI 2.0 device to Pa5X, however communication protocol will be MIDI 1.0 (because Pa5X doesn't understand MIDI 2.0). In short, to take advantage of MIDI 2.0, both devices must support it.

Greetings,
Bogdan

[♔Chello]

Your question was:

...when connected to the Pa5X, allows the use of the MIDI 2.0 protocol..?

MIDI 2.0 is backward compatible. That means, one can connect MIDI 2.0 device to Pa5X, however communication protocol will be MIDI 1.0 (because Pa5X doesn't understand MIDI 2.0). In short, to take advantage of MIDI 2.0, both devices must support it.

Greetings,
Bogdan

✪BogdanH


You are wrong again.
The Pa5X will understand MIDI 2.0 with a Translator/Converter device for this connected, and MIDI 1.0 will get max extended parameters.

Of course the Pa5X will never be able to follow up on MIDI 2.0's extended parameters, but it will be able to perform higher than what it does without, because the Pa5X has a higher capacity than any other arranger on the market (Linux based OS).