Good call 5pinDIN.
Thank you very much.
I haven’t purchased yet and I may very well go with that unit.
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I sent iConnectMIDI an email asking for suggestions with the setup we have been discussing along with any compatibility issues they may be aware of.
Below is a response from them.

“If the devices have 5-pin DIN connection, they will work with the iConnectMIDI4+ and pass MIDI to any device connected to the iCM4.
If the device has USB MIDI, they need to be class-compliant.
*A class compliant device is one that doesn’t require extra drivers to connect your Windows or Macintosh computer, or to your iPad. Class compliant devices use drivers which are built into the host (i.e. the computer or the iPad) operating system.

If your USB MIDI devices are class-compliant, the iCM4 will connect all your suggested devices. That being said, we do support some Yamaha MIDI device that do not appear to be class-compliant.
Unfortunately I do not have an extensive list of these devices to call upon.

I do not believe you would need to use your Yamaha i-MX1 interface as the iCM4 will connect to the iPad and pass MIDI to any device connected to the iCM4 and charge the iPad.

With best regards,
-RJ”
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BTW:  I have noticed on one of my iPad’s; the 30 pin charging port is getting looser as time goes on from ‘heavier plastic’ adapters being plugged in accommodating interface aps associated with iPad aps other than the Motif-Rack XS routing we are discussing.
I wonder if I’m going to have issues with that connection????????

Garrison - 29 February 2016 07:32 PM

I do not believe you would need to use your Yamaha i-MX1 interface as the iCM4 will connect to the iPad and pass MIDI to any device connected to the iCM4 and charge the iPad.

With best regards,
-RJ”

mmmmmmmm ???????

It would be nice to just be able to use our charging 30pin to USB cord.
Much lighter on the iPad port, and may lessen the likelihood of ruining the port with heavy adapters and the extra weight of MIDI cables.

Not to forget the fact that many adapters will not allow us to have a case on the iPad.
(blocks the 30 pin port)

nbadesign

Could you try the iConnectMIDI you have without the Yamaha i-MX1 interface?
Use your 30 pin to USB Apple charge cord directly from the iPad to the iConnectMIDI USB hub (I think you may have to select the correct hub port for class compliant?).

Then add your keyboards via 5pin DIN MIDI cables, then to the Motif-Rack XS
Let us know if it is class compliant to the Motif-Rack XS.
Thank you!

I hope that I will clarify your thoughts.
Legacy iCM device that I have (iConnectMIDI first generation) comes with power supply and cable for connection with iOS devices (30pin connector on one side and mini USB B type on the other). The reason for 30pin connector is due to the fact that newer devices with lightning connector hav not been at the market at that time.
At first, I have used iCM with iPad 2 connecting it directly via supplied cable. Other devices I have used in such manner:
1. Motif ES via 5pin MIDI (USB connection didn’t work)
2. M-Audio Axiom 25 via 5pin MIDI (USB connection didn’t work)
3. Rack XS via 5pin MIDI and USB, but transmitting data from Rack XS to Yamaha apps on iPad had errors.
4. M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 over USB only, since it doesn’t have 5pin MIDI. The best thing was when I connect both Keystation and Rack XS over USB using powered USB hub to iCM! I couldn’t use Yamaha apps due to the mentioned problem, but I could play Rack XS sounds and use other apps on iPad. The only thing that should be kept in mind is order of devices when connecting to the USB hub: first Rack XS, than USB controller. Otherwise, this setup couldn’t work.
5. MIDI Solutions Breath Controller via 5pin MIDI since it doesn’t have USB. Order of connecting devices is also important here, since at first Yamaha BC3a should be connected to MIDI Solutions device, than it should be connected to iCM and finally iCM should be powered up. I even could use iCM connected to PC as a MIDI interface for programming Breath Controller. I have reported that to MIDI Solutions, since iCM was not on their list of supported devices.

Now I have iPad Air 2 (the latest version and the latest iOS 9.2.1). Since it has lightning connector I have both 30pin to lightning adapter in order to use my older devices like iCM and Yamaha i-MX1. Everything still works and I have even successfully used application on iPad for configuring iCM. It is connected to mini USB port devoted to iOS devices and via 30pin to lightning adapter to iPad Air 2. As a keyboard controller I have used MOXF connected to one 5pin MIDI port, while on the other I have connected Rack XS. After configuring iCM in such a manner that only 5pin MIDI port 2 exchanges data with iOS devices on first USB port, than I could use Yamaha Voice editor application to select voices on Rack XS by touching iPad screen.
Problem that exist when Yamaha devices (Rack XS, MOXF) are connected to iCM using USB is due to the specifics in Yamaha drivers, esp. for MOXF since it uses USB both for MIDI and audio. That’s why I have to use standard 5pin MIDI ports for Yamaha devices.

I hope now it’s much clearer. If you have any other idea of connection setup, let me know. I would be glad to try it.

Alex

You’ve covered a lot of ground here nbadesign.
When I get a system up and running correctly I’ll let you know.
In the meantime, I’ve got to sort through this.
Maybe buying some interfaces from Guitar Center and return them if it not compatible.
Don’t like doing that though.
Thank you!!