I fancied having a go at making my own MIDI breakout for my Disting EX.
I am only interested in MIDI in to be honest, but I thought I'd check out something with regards to using a TRS jack.
I only have to hand 3.5mm mono sockets. I use the plastic version so, because of that, I think I am going to be okay as the sleeve portion of the TRS plug doesn't actually make any connection.
I have a Beatstep Pro and that comes with two 5 pin DIN to TRS converters so that is what I intend to use to plug into my mono socket.
Anyway, my question is, according to the MIDI Associated website, which you link in the manuals, the MIDI out connection has pins 2, 4 and 5 wired. When using the TRS converter MIDI pin 2 connects to the sleeve.
From your manual, pin 2 does not connect to anything on the Disting (Mk4 or EX).
This is why I am assuming that the plastic mono socket is going to be okay. But I would like you to confirm that, if you don't mind. Like I said, I am only using MIDI in, which doesn't use pin 2 anyway, but I may use MIDI out from the Disting in the future.
Okay, the following is just for info really.
This is the socket I use:-

Not the best, but not too bad, I don't think.
I had a look in my computer junk box and managed to find a cable that has a suitable plastic connector that matches the Disting header:-

The Doepfer A-180-1 multiple is what I am going to use to house the jack which will be connected to the Disting.
I will end up losing one of the multiple sockets but that doesn't bother me as I have plenty of spare multiples.
That means that I won't be wasting 2 or 4 HP on just one jack socket.
The downside is I could accidentally connect a CV or gate into the Disting via its MIDI header. And now that I have typed that I realise that that is probably a more important question. Can I damage the Disting by sending CV/gate into its MIDI header?
I'm sure I won't, but there's no absolute guarantee...
This is the Disting EX hooked up to the A-180-1 jack socket:-

Bottom line is, I put everything back together and it worked a treat. I tested it with MIDI from REAPER and by using the MIDI out from my Keystep.
cheers
andy