USB Latency

[ers]

what are the issues with using USB instead of MIDI? I've heard of lots of timing problems. True? Does USB2 fix some of this?

I'm thinking of taking my laptop on the road with a very portable keyboard. USB would eliminate my MIDI/USB interface which has always been problematic.

What would you loose with USB over MIDI?

[bombastique]

Your question isn't phrased properly - USB and MIDI aren't the same thing. USB is just a way to get MIDI data in and out of your computer (vs. serial port, etc.). When using a keyboard that plugs directly into your USB port, it really isn't eliminating a MIDI interface - the interface is just built into the keyboard instead of being external, so most likely you're going to have the same problems you had before.

You didn't mention if you're on a Mac or on Win - not that it would make a whole lotta difference in this case, as all USB MIDI interfaces, including USB keyboards, have to use OMS, which sucks, to not put too fine a point on it. We use Midiman Keystations with our Mac laptops and they work fine for what we're doing. It's only when you're getting into multiple midi tracks being played back thru a MIDI interface and then to your synths that the timing problems seem to crop up.