It's a Midiman Portman PC/P (PC Parallel MIDI Interface) with a DB-25 connector on one side, and two classical DIN connectors for the MINI IN and OUT, plus an optional 9vDC (center positive) connector for parallel ports that can't deliver the proper voltage.
I was wondering if this thing could be made to work on the Oric, not necessarily to have both IN and OUT working at the same time, but being able to use either IN or OUT would allow for some cool things, like replay midi files or play YM music using a MIDI keyboard, or even send and receive data.
There are plenty of these interfaces available for cheap on eBay.
The difficulties are:
- I've no idea about the protocol
- I'm not sure which pins it expects to have connected
The only thing I found where the Windows 98 drivers from the M-Audio website, and a portman_pcp.pdf document containing the following section regarding the parallel port:
Parallel Port Mode
The Parallel Port Mode that your port is set to will also affect the speed
in which your computer communicates with the PORTMAN, and may
need to be considered if there are problems with your computer’s per-
formance. As mentioned in the “About Your Printer Port” section, the
Parallel Port Mode is part of your System Setup, or BIOS. These are
more advanced user settings, so check your computer manual for
guidance.
Generally, the slower speeds won’t affect your printing adversely. The
PORTMAN usually works best in Standard or Uni-Directional (also
called Output only) mode, but use Bi-Directional if your printer
requires it. EPP can be a valid choice, as the PORTMAN occasionally
works better in this mode. ECP is the fastest port mode, and will in
some instances not be compatible with the PORTMAN. However, use
of this mode may be considered when a copy protection “dongle” is
also attached to the Parallel Port.
A little experimentation may be necessary in the matter of your
Parallel Port mode selection, though the issue may not arise at all. For
further tips, consult the Symptoms/Solutions guide if you are experi-
encing any difficulties.