I connected my laptop to MIDISolutions Quadra Thru V2 via Emu XMIDI 1x1. It doesn’t power the thru box. I discovered the EMU USB adapter doesn’t provide any current. I have got two of them and none can power the thru box. I tried M-Audio adapter and it works well providing 5v on pins.
Do you know how I can tweak Emu adapters to add power to their MIDI OUTs from their USB plugs?

 

you are going to need to open the box or device and see how its usb port is wired. if there are traces available for power, you need to see where they terminate and see if you can extend them without blowing out your power.

It would be easier and cheaper to get a power supply for whatever voltages your device needs, rather than try to supply it via usb.

look at the usb diagram.

https://elecsprout.com/usb-2-pinout-diagram.html

depending on which kind of usb port you have, the wiring will differ..





if you are using the same cable for troubleshooting this, and it gives power with some devices and not others, its the device.

if you are using different cables, you need to check your cables, they may not have wires on all pins. some usb cables are sold as data cables and have no power leads in the cable. Some Usb cables are sold as charging cables and have not data lines in the cable.

Troubleshooting 101, always check the cable 1st...

 

Let's see if an AI response is "wrong":


Emu XMIDI 1x1 does not provide power over usb
ChatGPT said:


You're right—the E-MU XMIDI 1x1 is a bus-powered USB MIDI interface, but it does not provide power over USB to other devices. It draws power from the USB port for itself, but it can't supply power to external gear like MIDI keyboards, synths, or controllers that need USB power.

Here’s a breakdown:

• ✅ Draws power from USB (no separate power supply needed for the interface itself)
  
  
• ❌ Does not pass USB power to other devices
  
  
• ❌ Does not have USB-Thru or USB-Hub capability
  
  
• ✅ Only handles MIDI DIN In/Out (5-pin connections)

If you're trying to connect something like a USB-powered MIDI controller or synth, you'll need either:

1. A powered USB hub (to power the device),
   
   
2. A dedicated MIDI interface with USB host capabilities (like Kenton MIDI USB Host),
   
   
3. Or, if your gear has standard 5-pin MIDI, just use those with the XMIDI 1x1.

 

since your device is sealed.

https://files.creative.com/manualdn/Manuals/TSD/11677/0xFF198B4A/XMIDI1x1manual-EN.pdf


chances of modifying are virtually nil, unless you are an electrical engineer and comfortable with slicing things open. it probably fairly trivial, but you never know how its wired until you slice into it, and there is a very good chance slicing into it will damage wiring or components.

it was a good question though, interesting device...

 

You can connect your MIDI synthesizer to the Kenton Box and then route it via the MIDI out jack. It has its own adapter for the power supply. The box is very sturdy, and the MIDI thing is very sturdy; it's the best on the market. It's not exactly cheap, but it lasts forever.

Kenton MIDI Thru 5 - 68 €
- Power supply included

https://kentonuk.com/product/thru-5/
www.thomann.de/de/kenton_midi_thru_5.htm

 

Last edited: Apr 30, 2025

what level are your usb ports? you can probably find an older usb midi host for cheap on ebay or facebook marketplace (if thats your thing) .

Midi is an old protocol, you usually don't need the latest greatest thing to work with it.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=usb+midi+host&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_sop=15

 

When you connect something and it does not do what you expect, maybe it is defective. When a second one does the exact same thing, you need to see if it is even actually broken. If it isn't broken; short of modification to other than OEM specs, you can't "fix it".



from above manual, Specifications: 1 MIDI in / 1 MIDI out USB 1.1 USB bus-powered Ultra-fast MIDI response Active-Sensing messages filtered MME, DirectMusic, and CoreMIDI support Multiple device support



Are you trying to connect a USB-only MIDI device to the XMIDI 1x1?

You said:
yes
ChatGPT said:
Thanks for confirming. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to connect a USB-only MIDI device directly to the E-MU XMIDI 1x1—it doesn’t support USB host functionality. The XMIDI 1x1 is only meant to connect 5-pin DIN MIDI hardware to a computer via USB.

Here's why it won't work:

• Your USB-only MIDI controller expects to connect to a USB host (like a computer or a dedicated USB host box).
  
  
• The E-MU XMIDI 1x1 is not a USB host—it’s a USB device, just like your controller. Two USB devices can’t talk to each other directly.
  

What you need instead:
To connect a USB-only MIDI controller to gear that uses standard 5-pin MIDI (or to use it without a computer), you’ll need a USB MIDI Host box, such as:

• Kenton MIDI USB Host MkII
  
  
• CME Uhost
  
  
• Retrokits RK-005 (multifunctional with MIDI routing and USB hosting)
  

These devices act as a middleman: they provide USB host support and output traditional 5-pin MIDI, letting your USB controller talk to other MIDI gear.

 

Kenton MIDI Thru 5 - 68 €

- Power supply included

Description

• Receives MIDI data from a single MIDI OUT (e.g. sequencer or master keyboard) and produces identical copies at the 5 MIDI THRU sockets. These can then be connected to the MIDI INs of sound modules or other devices which require MIDI signals sent to them.
• High quality Kenton MIDI Thru box with opto-isolated MIDI In and separate drive for each MIDI Out. Powered from a mains adaptor (wall wart) so you can fit and forget.
• 1 MIDI In & 5 MIDI Thrus
• Works for ALL MIDI messages including Clock, SysEx, MTC etc.
• Includes schmitt trigger logic for signal quality restoration
• Less than one microsecond latency
• DC power input jack 2.1mm (centre +ve)
• Power/Data indicator light
• Housed in a metal box so it can withstand the knocks
• Attractively finished in brushed aluminium with black screen print
• 9V multi-region, switch mode power supply is included. It has 4 interchangeable heads suitable for most parts of the world, including UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Japan, Australia & New Zealand

https://kentonuk.com/product/thru-5/

 

Thanks guys for your replies. MIDISolutions have a very interesting FAQ page. They explain a lot. I recommend to read this just for broadening knowledge:
https://www.midisolutions.com/faqs.htm#Modify
It is better to buy something like Roland/Edirol UM or an active thru box like Kenton or CME. There is another danger about those adapters. Some of them can filter MIDI data like SysEx or MTC. I have read that iConnect filters data.

 

Last edited: May 1, 2025

All USB standard ports provide 5v up to 2 amp.

So you will have to tap the 5 V line prior to the Emu pcb board ( most likely inside the round cylinder section) and wire those taps into the output of the midi lines.

The Midi Spec pinout is 5v but some USB-Midi devices are outputting only 3.3V not 5 so they won't power those merge boxes. The M-Audio is 5V and the reason is because it is a more known audio work connection and M-Audio adds 5v to power external midi merge boxes. Some cheaper devices only power 3.3v once connected not without connection, this is to prevent shorts when connecting the plug slight off into another pin, so what you can do is open up that barrel, hook a keyboard up and then tap the lines with a multimeter to see what voltage is coming out it will most likley be 3.3v so not enough to power the merge box.

In this case you might have issues as if you bypass and put 5 v into the out lines you will now have 8.6v so this is a NO-NO.

Bottom line in my opinion you are going down a road which may not be good with this idea.

Please check the Midi port pinout for power specs before venturing into this.

 

usb 1 & 2 ports are specified as maximum of 500ma per port. (1/2 an amp @ 5v)

 

I had a similar,ish problem myself and my steinberg CL+ usb/midi interface wouldnt power up no matter what
However, when i installed the driver "From Yamaha" It then would spring to life.
Weird i know, I dont claim this to be a solve of any sorts but thought it may be worth mentioning, as ive never had an issue where a device wont even power up unless the drivers installed beforehand

 

Should be 2 watts not amps... :o)

 

Quadra Thru is a multi-voltage device and is compatible with both the original 5V and new 3.3V MIDI specifications as well hence in limited way while 3.3v is used. At least the LED lamp indicates when the powered MIDI cable is inserted into the device’s MIDI IN. My device doesn’t indicates such a powered connection with MIDI OUT from Emu’s. But it indicates when M-Audio is connected whose pins provide 5v. Emu’s pins provide tiny 0.004v.

 

Last edited: May 1, 2025

Try to connect a divice that has the +5v power at his MIDI connector.
Normaly MidiSolution uses Port 1 for Power.
Good luck.

 

M-Audio is powered with 5v as stated above. All checked with a multimeter.

 

I got in touch with MIDI Solutions. The only solution for my setup is connecting my laptop and one of the synths via Emu, then connecting the synth's MIDI THRU to Quadra Thru, and the other synths to Quadra Synths. Or I should use M-Audio, which is powered.

 

Last edited: May 5, 2025 at 8:34 PM

thanks for the update. Write down your chain in a notebook (the paper kind) its easier to figure out later when you need to rewire things or add more gear. keep good notes, it makes it easier to figure out why you did what you did, when you need to undo/redo etc..