"In this variation of the Original Litmus timing test we take a precision MIDI Sequencer and program a single track of continuous and sample-accurate 16th Midi Note Events. No other MIDI messages are generated - no Continuous Control, no Aftertouch, no MIDI Clock and no MIDI Time Code. Just MIDI Note On and MIDI Note Off. The continuous 16th MIDI Note events are on Channel 1 exclusively.
In real-world use with extended polyphony, multiple MIDI Channels and Continuous Controller activity the timing performance results as reported here will almost certainly get worse. MIDI is a serial protocol - it can only ever perform one trick at any one time. You can transmit an enormous amount of MIDI data down a single cable but the receiving device deals with each byte only when it can get to it. The harder you make it work, the worse the timing train wreck is on the other side. How much that bothers you is for you to decide.
At a tempo of 120 BPM there should be exactly 6000 samples @ 48kHz between any two consecutive 16th Midi Note events."
You'll find the full list of synths and results on Innerclock Systems here.
