The MOTU Micro Express looks a good box if it does what you need. I normally split the functions of clock/sync and MIDI I/O, as I don't generally have the requirement to have them running integrated. To this end, I use the JL Cooper clock/sync boxes and the MOTU Digital Timepiece (not MIDI) and then I'm free to shuffle any MIDI I/O separately. However, for building into a studio, I can see that a box that handles all of these in one can have an advantage.

would it be possible to use a serial to usb cable?

Do you mean USB on the computer to serial on the device? Yes. I do that for programming phone systems etc since my laptops don't have serial ports anymore.

Yes,

my MTC AV has an RS 422 out and I was thinking I may be able to get a cable that goes RS 422 to usb, and it would work. It is for ITB mapping. Do you think this would do it for me?

clarify as I'm looking at other connection option on it. It also has a PC Parallel Port A terminal, that I've never used as an option. Would this be better? I bought this unit for my Mac and Protools system and as you now know, I have switched to Windows . The MTC AV supports both OS.

Cable like this:
6 ft USB to Parallel Printer Adapter - M/M

Either of those options should work just fine. The USB/Serial or USB/Parallel adapters are readily available and fairly inexpensive. I say, go for it.

Do either Win 7 or XP work any different with RS 422 to usb?

I'm just experimenting with either OS right now and trying to figure which is more stable with the different DAW's I'm testing.

This is a bit off topic but since I have you with me John, I only have one version of Win 7. Can I install it on either Box and then in the end decide which I prefer? How does this work? Its the first time I've installed an OS on a PC.

You can install Win7 on both boxes ONLY and I mean ONLY if you do not the operating system with MS. Once activated it is legal only on that box.

I loaded Win7 on one of my laptops with the copy I have for my main laptop last April intended to purchase a license over the summer but haven't got to it yet. (there is a way to change the license code for activation). I will do it this October when I get home. I'm just too busy to deal with it and I've only turned that laptop on 13 times this summer. It's been busy here. Apparently most of Victoria and the whole province of Alberta decided to come to Yellowstone this week ;-)

I did go online with the 1st box. I thought you had to do this to get it to work. I guess I messed up. But you say I can switch this? But how does one compare without activating either. I don't even want the box to go online but don't mind paying for an installation on the second if I like it that much. . I also had to do a remote login for the custom CP companies to perform their tweaks.

I should learn to do these optimization tweaks myself. I'm assuming you are familiar with the tweak eh John? I wouldn't have to even touch the internet with them.

Going online isn't the issue. Activation with MS is the issue. Once activated you will not be able to unactivate that box. The returning authorization code is based upon 12 pieces of hardware configuration in the computer itself-eg. size of harddrive, amount of ram, brand and model of processor etc. If more than three of those things change, you will have to re-activate windows. Usually this isn't too much of a problem unless ALL of those points have changed. So I guess the question is whether you activated Windows or just went online?

I use the built in Remote Desktop feature of Windows XP/Vista/Win7 to access the computers I need from afar. The only pain about that is that the router at each location has to be configured to allow that. Remote sessions are pretty standard things these days and are getting more secure all the time. I want to experiment with some sort of VNC server/client in order to run my gear from my Droid at a gig when I'm also playing in one of the ensembles. That's another of the things I've never got around to experimenting with.