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The world's smallest smallest USB MIDI host

“Knot is probably the best MIDI utility for a decade”

-Robin Vincent

Sound On Sound magazine

Meet Knot

Your compact and versatile USB MIDI host Knot is the perfect solution for musicians looking to bridge the gap between old-school MIDI gear like synthesizers, guitar pedals and USB-MIDI devices. With Knot, you can directly control your MIDI devices using Grid or other USB controllers.

Compact and durable

Measuring just 60mm x 60mm x 10mm and weighing approximately 120 grams, Knot is a palm-sized device that is designed with portability in mind.

Drawing of Knot controller showing dimensions

Expanding features, open source hardware

Knot receives regular firmware updates with new features and other improvements. Updating is snappy and straightforward using the Grid Editor software. Knot is an open hardware project, and all source files are available on GitHub.

Light image of an instrument, Knot and a Grid controller with three wires

SYNC

With a USB controller connected and an instrument on TRS IN/OUT, Knot can facilitate sync. It can pass MIDI clock from an instrument (via TRS IN) back to the connected USB device, allowing your USB controller to synchronize with external MIDI hardware. Status LEDs indicate TX/RX activity on all ports, supporting this bi-directional MIDI flow necessary for comprehensive sync.

Light image of an instrument, Knot and a Grid controller with two wires

HOST

Connect a USB MIDI controller to Knot's USB-A port. Knot acts as a host, seamlessly transmitting MIDI data from your USB controller directly to equipment connected to its TRS MIDI OUT. This core function bridges modern USB-only controllers with traditional MIDI hardware, and is active in its Green mode where only USB Host data is sent out.

Light image of an instrument, a synth, a Knot and a Grid controller with four wires

MERGE

In its Blue mode, Knot can merge MIDI messages from two sources. MIDI data from outboard gear connected to the TRS MIDI IN port and MIDI data from a USB MIDI controller connected to the USB HOST port are combined. Both of these MIDI streams are then sent out together through the TRS MIDI OUT port, ideal for controlling a single device with multiple controllers.

List of features

Standalone USB MIDI Host, works with Grid and any MIDI class compliant USB controller
USB-A HOST port for hosting a USB MIDI device
TRS MIDI IN port
TRS MIDI OUT port
USB-C port for power and firmware updates
DC IN port for 6-12V DC power with automatic polarity detection (designed for 5.5 x 2.1mm plugs)
A/B switch for changing the TRS MIDI wiring on the MIDI OUT port
MODE button for switching modes and entering bootloader mode
3 status LEDs, indicating MIDI TX/RX on all 3 ports and current mode
2 modes of operation, switchable with MODE button
Green: MIDI IN and HOST messages are not merged, only HOST is sent on OUT
Blue: MIDI IN and HOST messages are merged and sent on OUT

Launch covered by cool press people...

Since the release of Knot, it received many updates based on customer feedback.