Kenton THRU-5

The Kenton THRU-5 is a MIDI thru box, a small utility unit that solves a common setup problem: one MIDI source, several destinations. It receives MIDI data from a single MIDI OUT, such as a sequencer or master keyboard, and produces identical copies of that data at its five MIDI THRU sockets. Those outputs can then be connected to the MIDI INs of sound modules or other devices that need MIDI signals sent to them¹.

For a player with a rack of sound modules or a pedalboard that includes MIDI-capable gear, the THRU-5 means a single controller or sequencer can drive all of them at once, rather than chaining devices one into the next. It receives MIDI data from a single MIDI OUT, such as a sequencer or master keyboard, and produces identical copies at its 5 MIDI THRU sockets, which can then be connected to the MIDI INs of sound modules or other devices which require MIDI signals sent to them. It sits in the wider family of MIDI pedals and utility gear¹.

Key facts

What it does

The THRU-5 has no controls to set and no sound of its own. Its job is signal distribution: whatever MIDI data arrives at its input is copied, unchanged, to all five outputs at the same time. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes it as receiving "MIDI data from a single MIDI OUT (e.g. sequencer or master keyboard) and produc[ing] identical copies at the 5 MIDI THRU sockets"¹.

In practice, that means:

• Connect the MIDI OUT of your sequencer, master keyboard or other MIDI source to the THRU-5's input.
• Connect each of the five MIDI THRU sockets to the MIDI IN of a sound module or other device that needs MIDI signals sent to it¹.

Because the copies are identical, every connected device receives the same MIDI information, so note data, program changes and timing all reach each unit from the one source¹.

Power

The THRU-5 runs from a 9V DC supply with center negative polarity and draws 50mA of current¹. It is a digital circuit¹.

Videos

Click to load