Using Modules with Befaco Midi Thing v2 (powered)?

Hi all,

any chance somebody has a Befaco Midi Thing v2?
I just came across it and thought it would be interesting to write custom sequencers / controllers on the intech modules for Eurorack?

However, the Befaco manual (p.5: https://befaco.org/docs/Midi_thing_V2/Midi%20Thing%20V2_User_Manual.pdf) says that you should not draw more than 100mA from the USB Host port which would be more than the ca 250mA of the controllers. I wondered if the 100mA is only a recommendation or if you could power 2-3 modules from the Befaco ig you have a Eurorack power supply with enough Amps on the 5V rail?

Did somebody test this or have a similar idea? I haven't reached out to Befaco yet, but would do so if nobody knows it in here.

My use case would be 2-3 intech modules connected via a single USB cable to the Midi thing with a Syntakt providing clock via TRS Midi. I guess I could solve this with powering problem with a knot but a direct USB connection would be the cheaper and more elegant solution.

Thanks for the help

Replies (6)

Greg-Orca · September 25, 2024

Hi,

If you have two modules, you can connect one to a power source and the other to the host module. The Grid should draw power from the power source. Alternatively, we recommend using the Expert Sleepers FH-2, which can host USB MIDI devices and provide up to 500mA of power through its USB host port.

With KNOT, it should work seamlessly.

Jonas Kerber · September 25, 2024

Thanks, I didn’t know that you could do power and data independently with 2 modules. That sounds very convenient, thanks

fuzboxz · January 16, 2025

@user So if we want to use a single Grid module we should connect it through Knot and MIDI right?

Greg-Orca · January 17, 2025

@user Yes, if the module can’t host the Grid, then a knot is a good solution. However, it’s worth trying without it, if you connect just one module.

Greg-Orca · January 17, 2025

to the Befaco

fuzboxz · January 17, 2025

@user It can host a USB device, my bigger concern is the power usage. There is a 100mAh limit on the Midi Thing v2 and based on the specs Grid modules consume 250mAh.