Hi @AlanP . Sorry I have missed this thread so far. I can comment on some MIDI2.0 specific aspects.
- At first you need to be aware, that MIDI2.0 consists of many specifications. Supporting MIDI2.0 doesn’t mean, that you need to support everything that has been specified.
- MIDI-CI is based on System Exclusive Messages, therefore it can be implemented in Devices that do not support UMP-MIDI2.0 messages (like the Keystage). MIDI-CI can therefore be used in current versions of Windows.
- KORG Keystage implements MIDI-CI property exchange using manufacturer specific resources. These resources are neither specified by MIDI Association nor by AMEI. Currently there is a group of companies collaborating to discuss and define specifications allowing to remote control a DAW. Steinberg is participating in this working group. This will take some more time.
- KORG Keystage acts as an “Initiator” and expects the DAW to act as a “Responder”. This means that Keystage asks for properties and it expects the DAW to provide these properties. For the time being, this is not supported by Cubase / Nuendo.
- The MIDI-CI Property Exchange that is currently present in Cubase / Nuendo assumes, that the DAW is the “Initiator” asking connected MIDI Devices for their properties (means acting like “Responder”). This way the DAW is able to detect program names and channel names and is able to store the current state of the connected MIDI Device, given that it supports those resources. These resources have been officially specified by MIDI Association and AMEI. For the time being, I’m not aware of any available Hardware supporting these resources / properties.
- Not related to KORG Keystage (as it doesn’t support it) is our support of UMP-MIDI2.0 messages. Since Cubase 13 and Nuendo 13 we have support for many of those new message types for increased value resolution: up to 16 / 32 bit of resolution instead of 7 / 14 bit. This functionality requires support in the operating system, therefore it is only available on macOS. But we’re already collaborating with Microsoft to support UMP-MIDI2.0 on Windows as well. There are working prototypes, but currently it’s not possible to say, when it will be available for customers. See: https://youtu.be/1AZmAvaeBjM?si=GkiL34L44_86V60I&t=236
Hope that helps understanding the current situation regarding MIDI2.0, KORG Keystage, MIDI-CI, Cubase and Nuendo.