KENTON MERGE-8 8 into 2 MIDI Merge Box User Manual
- June 17, 2024
- KENTON
Table of Contents
MERGE-8
8 into 2 MIDI Merge Box 
Operating manual
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FCC Statement for MERGE-8
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Information on Disposal for Users of WEEE
****This symbol on the product and / or accompanying documents means that
used electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) should not be mixed with
general household waste. For proper treatment, recovery and recycling, please
take this product(s) to designated collection points where it will be accepted
free of charge. Alternatively, in some countries, you may be able to return
your products to your local retailer upon purchase of an equivalent new
product.
Disposing of this product correctly will help save valuable resources and
prevent any potential negative effects on human health and the environment,
which could otherwise arise from inappropriate waste handling.
Please contact your local authority for further details of your nearest
designated collection point.
Penalties may be applicable for incorrect disposal of this waste, in
accordance with your national legislation.
For disposal in countries outside of the European Union
This symbol is only valid in the European Union (EU). If you wish to discard
this product, please contact your local authorities or dealer and ask for the
correct method of disposal.
Description
The MERGE-8 has eight MIDI In ports and two MIDI Out ports to enable you to
connect multiple MIDI devices to one or two MIDI inputs.
The MERGE-8 has opto-coupled MIDI Inputs and separate drive circuits for each
MIDI Out socket for optimum performance. The MERGE-8 also contains active
circuitry that can restore the quality of signals received at the MIDI Input
that may have become degraded by losses in the MIDI cable.
The MERGE-8 is powered by a mains adaptor (supplied), so it doesn’t need
periodic battery changes to keep it working, enabling you to “fit and forget”.
Operation
The MERGE-8 can be configured to work in two different modes. The first is
eight into two – MIDI data received at any of the eight inputs will be merged
and transmitted on both of the outputs. This mode is signified by the LED
being lit green.
The other mode is a split mode. MIDI In 1 to 4 will be merged into MIDI Out 1,
and MIDI In 5 to 8 will be merged into MIDI Out 2. Essentially, this mode can
be thought of as two of our MERGE-4 units in one box. This mode is signified
by the LED being lit amber.
The mode is changed by pressing the recessed button next to the LED, using a
small pointed object such as a pen. The Merge-8 remembers this setting in
EEPROM, and will start up in whichever state it was last in prior to power-
off.
Connecting
Ensure that the power adaptor is plugged in, and the LED on the MERGE-8 is on.
Connect the MIDI output of your keyboard(s) and/or computer to the MIDI Inputs
of the MERGE-8 and connect one of the MIDI Out ports of the MERGE-8 to the
MIDI input of the device you want to control.
Do not connect any of the MIDI Out ports of the MERGE-8 back to the MIDI Input
of the device which is supplying data to the MIDI In port of the MERGE-8, as
this may cause a MIDI loop to occur. This may cause note hangs or other
undesirable effects.
Merging Rules
You may find it useful to have an understanding of the following rules which
the MERGE-8 uses when handling certain types of MIDI data.
Note: If the MERGE-8 is in split mode (LED lit amber), these Merging
Rules apply to both of the four into one merges separately.
The MERGE-8 defines one of the inputs as the master input for each of the
following data types. One input may be the master for one or more data types
whilst a different input may be the master for another data type.
MIDI Clock
When power is first applied, no input is defined as a master and all clock
messages from all inputs will be passed until one input is defined as a
master.
The most recent input to receive a START command (or Song Position Pointer=0
followed by CONTINUE) will become the clock master.
That input continues to be the clock master until another input satisfies the
above condition.
Active Sensing
The first input to receive an Active Sensing message will become the Active
Sensing master. Active sensing messages from that input will be passed to the
output, any active sensing messages received at other inputs will be ignored.
An input will stay as Active Sensing master until no more Active Sensing
messages are received at that input for a period of around 5 seconds. Then
another input has the opportunity to become the Active Sensing master.
SysEx Messages
While any input is handling a SysEx message it becomes the SysEx master,
and SysEx messages from all other inputs will be locked out until the message
at the master input has finished.
SysEx messages may be terminated either with an End Of SysEx command (F7) or
with any other status command.
Firmware version Request:
A firmware version request must be issued within 10 seconds of power being
applied to the unit, otherwise it will be ignored.
The firmware version request message is – F0 00 20 13 18 60 F7 (hex)
The unit replies with the version number as F0 00 20 13 18 6F xx xx xx xx F7
(hex).
Where xx is a number in ASCII and the leftmost digit is the most significant.
For example – F0 00 20 13 18 6F 31 32 33 34 F7 (hex) = version number 1234
Specification
Power Input:| 9V DC (regulated or unregulated) – never apply more than 12V
(never use an unregulated supply greater than 9V as unregulated supplies
typically give a higher output than shown)
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Power :| 100mA, 2.1mm plug (centre positive)
MIDI ports:| 8 x In, 2 x Out
Weight:| 220g (excluding power supply)
Dimensions:| 155 x 80 x 32 mm
Power supply:| Supplied with unit. Specify UK, EU or US type when ordering.
Warranty
The MERGE-8 comes with a 12 month (from purchase date) back to base warranty, (i.e. customer must arrange and pay for carriage to and from Kenton Electronics Ltd).
Unit 3, Epsom Downs Metro Centre, Waterfield, Tadworth, KT20 5LR, UK
+44 (0)20 8544 9200www.kenton.co.uk
[email protected]
firmware rev# 1008 e. & o. e. © 3 rd
January 2024
Documents / Resources
|
KENTON MERGE-8 8 into 2 MIDI Merge
Box
[pdf] User Manual
K1300038, MERGE-8 8 into 2 MIDI Merge Box, MERGE-8, 8 into 2 MIDI Merge Box,
MIDI Merge Box, Merge Box, Box
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