Opcode Studio 4 MIDI & SMPTE Interface (1992)

Opcode Studio 4 (December 1992)

128-channel 8-In/8-Out MIDI & SMPTE Interface for the Macintosh 

SN 53677 Made in the U.S.A. 

Price: $145 plus $45 shipping

Studio 4 - 8-In/8-Out MIDI Interface/SMPTE Synchronizer

The (1992) Studio 4 is Opcode's 128 channel, 8-IN/8-OUT MIDI interface/SMPTE synchronizer. As an interface, the Studio 4 allows the Macintosh to independently communicate with each of the 8 MIDI INs and OUTs. As a synchronizer, it reads and writes SMPTE in all formats including 29.97 non-drop. With the Studio 4 and a Mac present, the Open Music System (OMS) can add filtering, channelization, note range splitting, controller mapping, velocity and control value modification, and other processing.

This unit (SN 53677) was used in a home project studio from 1993 until 2000, when it was returned to its original packaging and subsequently stored in conditioned residential space.  with this unit, I drove multiple synthesizers and effects units while mixing to master tapes.  After all this time, I really don't remember much about how to use the unit, and I'm not able to test it because I no longer have the Apple computer I used in the studio. I have no reason to believe there are any problems with the unit (it powers up without problem); I have not tested it.

While I believe this unit does have limited capabilities for use without an Apple computer present (when I used it, I had a Macintosh IICi … now long gone) with some type of SMPTE input/output capabilities. Perhaps there are converter cables available if you have a newer computer … I simply don’t know.

The manual states “to use the Studio 4, you’ll need … a Macintosh Plus or better … one (1) or more MIDI devices … one (1) or more cables to connect your MIDI devices to the Studio 4 … hard disk recommended”.

Opcode Studio 4 Specifications:

• 128 MIDI Channels
• 8 MIDI INs/OUTs
• Read & writes all formats of SMPTE (circa 1992)
• Converts to MIDI Time Code or direct time lock
• Up to four Studio 4s can be used together for 512 MIDI channels
• OMS+Patches Software included for powerful performance and studio integration (NOTE: I believe the included floppy disk includes this … I have no way to know for sure)
• Battery backed-up memory
• MIDI activity LEDs for each MIDI IN/OUT
• 2 Peripheral Thru Switches
• 2 pairs of MIDI INs/OUTs on front panel
• Full MIDI Time Piece emulation
• Single rack-space

What’s included in the box:

• Studio 4 Unit
  
• 110 volt AC power adapter
  
• Studio 4 Manual
  
• “Getting Started with the Opcode Midi Systems” (OMS) Manual
  
• OMS Disk (floppy)
  
• 1 (not 2 per the original) 12’ serial cable
  

The shipping price quote is based upon an actual quote from UPS Ground. The weight of the package is 50% less than the UPS billable weight, but I have contacted them and there is nothing UPS will do to reduce the shipping cost. I believe (but don’t know for sure) that the dimensions of the box adversely affect the shipping cost in this instance.