Midi Setup Puzzle, Play live and play from sequencer Options

[Seth]

I use my synthesizer set-up in two different ways. First, I like to use my keyboard (Yamaha S90) to directly play the other synths (Wavestation SR, Triton Rack, Proteus 2000, Boss drums), manually changing patches/settings/etc. This makes it easy to audition patches, try out different layers and mixes. The other way I use the synthesizers is for writing music - I fire up the Mac and DP and control the assignment of instruments, and patches, through DP.

For the first set-up, I connect the keyboard MIDI out to the MIDI interface PortA-In and the first module MIDI in to PartA-Out. The other rack units connect for the first one using MIDI through. I hit the bypass switch on the MIDI interface (MOTU Fastlane). I use multi-zone setups on the S90 and fiddle with the "multi" setups on the modules to control which ones hear which MIDI channels. Or not, just let them all blast away. It's a lot of fun and really gets the creative juices flowing.

For the second set-up, the keyboard MIDI in/out are on the same port, ditto the first module (I use the Triton). The other units still connect using MIDI through, starting from the Triton. So, I have to switch the MIDI cables and hit the switch on the Fastlane. Not the end of the world, I guess, but there must be a better way. Any thoughts? By the say, I'm thinking of getting another MIDI interface which will provide in/out for all the devices so I can more easily use software patch editing/library functions. I'm thinking of getting MOTU's 5x5, can't remember what it's called. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

SEth