The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

I just bought a game port which connects to onboard MIDI (MPU-401) 
on my PC motherboard.  When this is connected, my synth goes crazy.  
I'll play some notes and it will spontaneously transpose down a note 
and then i hit some more notes and it switches to a different voice 
altogether and pretty much goes crazy.  i'm guessing it's because of 
the MIDI connection.  

I'm wondering if this is fixable and how to fix it?  do i need to 
get a different MIDI connection altogether?  if so, what should i 
get?  how is the midisport (via USB) by m-audio?

--- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "justinkk2001" <mirlin567@a...> wrote:
> I just bought a game port which connects to onboard MIDI (MPU-401) 
> on my PC motherboard.  When this is connected, my synth goes crazy.  
> I'll play some notes and it will spontaneously transpose down a note 
> and then i hit some more notes and it switches to a different voice 
> altogether and pretty much goes crazy.  i'm guessing it's because of 
> the MIDI connection.  
> 

If you were to provide some detailed information regarding your MIDI configuration, 
i.e., what application(s) your running and how your AN1x is setup, it would be easier 
to help troubleshoot. That said, it might be one or two things causing these issues:

1) On your AN1x, check wether the parameter MIDI Ptn Tx Ch under VOICE 
ARPEGGIO/SEQ is set to the same MIDI channel as is parameter Rx Ch under UTILITY 
SETUP. It's possible you are retransmitting the output of the AN1x Arp/Seq back to 
your AN1x unintentionally.

2) If your AN1x is switching to a Voice (program) other than the what you've selected 
from the front panel than it is receiving a program change command from 
somewhere. Your MID Interface is incapable of initiating a program change itself - it 
has to be some application running on your PC or from another device perhaps on a 
seperate port issuing program changes on the same MIDI Channel that your AN1x is 
configured to receive on under Rx Ch.


> I'm wondering if this is fixable and how to fix it?  do i need to 
> get a different MIDI connection altogether?  if so, what should i 
> get?  how is the midisport (via USB) by m-audio?

I wouldn't bother spending more money on another MIDI Interface until you have a 
better understanding of the issues presenting themselves with your current MIDI 
Interface.

Jon

--- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "Jon" <jondl_2000@y...> wrote:
> If you were to provide some detailed information regarding your 
MIDI configuration, 
> i.e., what application(s) your running and how your AN1x is setup, 
it would be easier 


It happens while running Cubase 5.0.  I have a MIDI cable going from 
my AN1X (in & out) to the game port which goes to my motherboard.  

I realized that it happens only when running Cubase (and potentially 
other programs i haven't tried yet).  but the problem has subsided 
somewhat, it doesn't seem to want to switch voices as much, but it 
still spontaneously transposes itself down a step or an octave.  
once their was nothing coming out of the right side after a while.

i've heard onboard Game/MIDI can be screwy...

i've just tried it with propellorheads reason too and it is crazy.  
i have it set up to transmit thru ch 1, and as i hit keys, it only 
sometimes triggers sounds, sometimes triggering ch 9 at times, and 
also triggering modules i haven't specified in the midi interface.



> to help troubleshoot. That said, it might be one or two things 
causing these issues:
> 
> 1) On your AN1x, check wether the parameter MIDI Ptn Tx Ch under 
VOICE 
> ARPEGGIO/SEQ is set to the same MIDI channel as is parameter Rx Ch 
under UTILITY 
> SETUP. It's possible you are retransmitting the output of the AN1x 
Arp/Seq back to 
> your AN1x unintentionally.
MIDI Ptn TX Ch is set to "off".

> 
> 2) If your AN1x is switching to a Voice (program) other than the 
what you've selected 
> from the front panel than it is receiving a program change command 
from 
> somewhere. Your MID Interface is incapable of initiating a program 
change itself - it 
> has to be some application running on your PC or from another 
device perhaps on a 
> seperate port issuing program changes on the same MIDI Channel 
that your AN1x is 
> configured to receive on under Rx Ch.

this might very well be the problem. 

> 
> 
> > I'm wondering if this is fixable and how to fix it?  do i need 
to 
> > get a different MIDI connection altogether?  if so, what should 
i 
> > get?  how is the midisport (via USB) by m-audio?
> 
> I wouldn't bother spending more money on another MIDI Interface 
until you have a 
> better understanding of the issues presenting themselves with your 
current MIDI 

> Interface.
> 
> Jon

--- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "justinkk2001" <mirlin567@a...> wrote:
> --- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "Jon" <jondl_2000@y...> wrote:
> > If you were to provide some detailed information regarding your 
> MIDI configuration, 
> > i.e., what application(s) your running and how your AN1x is setup, 
> it would be easier 
> 
> 
> It happens while running Cubase 5.0.  I have a MIDI cable going from 
> my AN1X (in & out) to the game port which goes to my motherboard.  
> 
> I realized that it happens only when running Cubase (and potentially 
> other programs i haven't tried yet).  but the problem has subsided 
> somewhat, it doesn't seem to want to switch voices as much, but it 
> still spontaneously transposes itself down a step or an octave.  
> once their was nothing coming out of the right side after a while.
> 
> i've heard onboard Game/MIDI can be screwy...
> 

Another thing - make certain Local under UTILITIY SETUP on your AN1x is set to OFF 
when working with a software audio/MIDI sequencer such as Cubase. This will 
disengage the keyboard from the internal tone generator eliminating the 
possibility of double triggering note events and permit your sequencer to rechannel 
the MIDI output correctly.


> i've just tried it with propellorheads reason too and it is crazy.  
> i have it set up to transmit thru ch 1, and as i hit keys, it only 
> sometimes triggers sounds, sometimes triggering ch 9 at times, and 
> also triggering modules i haven't specified in the midi interface.
> 

Basic setup woul be:

AN1x MIDI Out -> MIDI Interface In
AN1x MIDI In -> MIDI Interface Out

Set your AN1x to MID Tx Ch '1', Rx Ch '1', Device No. 'all', and Local 'OFF' and MIDI 
Ptn Tx Ch 'OFF'.

 Jon

--- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "Jon" <jondl_2000@y...> wrote:
> 
> Basic setup woul be:
> 
> AN1x MIDI Out -> MIDI Interface In
> AN1x MIDI In -> MIDI Interface Out
> 
> Set your AN1x to MID Tx Ch '1', Rx Ch '1', Device No. 'all', and 
Local 'OFF' and MIDI 
> Ptn Tx Ch 'OFF'.
> 
>  Jon

yeah that's how i have it now.  it still messes up.  well i actually 
had local set to "on" but i fixed it.  i did notice that with local 
off, i hit the keys and no sound comes out of the an1x.  the midi in 
and out trigger indicators in cubase are lighting up, but the synth 
doesn't play...

--- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "justinkk2001" <mirlin567@a...> wrote:
> --- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "Jon" <jondl_2000@y...> wrote:
> > 
> > Basic setup woul be:
> > 
> > AN1x MIDI Out -> MIDI Interface In
> > AN1x MIDI In -> MIDI Interface Out
> > 
> > Set your AN1x to MID Tx Ch '1', Rx Ch '1', Device No. 'all', and 
> Local 'OFF' and MIDI 
> > Ptn Tx Ch 'OFF'.
> > 
> >  Jon
> 
> yeah that's how i have it now.  it still messes up.  well i actually 
> had local set to "on" but i fixed it.  i did notice that with local 
> off, i hit the keys and no sound comes out of the an1x.  the midi in 
> and out trigger indicators in cubase are lighting up, but the synth 
> doesn't play...

Then Cubase is not transmitting MIDI note events to the MIDI Out port of your MIDI 
Interface. If your setup were working correctly you would hear the AN1x would 
playback the data rechanneled in Cubase on MIDI Ch 1.

I'm not familiar enough with Cubase (particularly on a PC) to tell you specifically HOW 
to configure the Comm Ports in Cubase but if I were you I'd check the Reference 
Manaul for basic setup information - there's probably an option under Preferences 
that's unresolved.

Jon

--- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "Jon" <jondl_2000@y...> wrote:
> 
> Then Cubase is not transmitting MIDI note events to the MIDI Out 
port of your MIDI 
> Interface. If your setup were working correctly you would hear the 
AN1x would 
> playback the data rechanneled in Cubase on MIDI Ch 1.
> 
> I'm not familiar enough with Cubase (particularly on a PC) to tell 
you specifically HOW 
> to configure the Comm Ports in Cubase but if I were you I'd check 
the Reference 
> Manaul for basic setup information - there's probably an option 
under Preferences 
> that's unresolved.
> 
> Jon

well, it will still play from midi sequences already recorded in 
cubase.  it just won't play when i hit the keys live.  but doesn't 
the fact that i hit keys and the midi out indicator in cubase lights 
up mean that it is transmitting midi signals out?  

one thing i did notice was that in the cubase midi setup, it has 
midi output set to "microsoft GS wavetable".  i change it to "mpu-
401" and then go to exit.  but hitting keys still produces no sound, 
and i go back to setup and it's back to "microsoft GS wavetable" 
again.

<:(

Jon wrote:
> 
> Then Cubase is not transmitting MIDI note events to the MIDI Out port of your MIDI 
> Interface. If your setup were working correctly you would hear the AN1x would 
> playback the data rechanneled in Cubase on MIDI Ch 1.

You could already try the following (I think) : use a single
MIDI cable and plug it in both the MIDI IN and OUT of your
AN1x. Make sure Local is set to Off. And then play some notes
to see if everything works as should.
If that works with all the cables you are using, then it is
definitely not a problem with your cables nor your AN1x.

The next step would then be the MPU-401 driver. For that, you
could try either Hubi's Loopback or Midi-Yoke (don't remember
which of both) that allows you to route the input from one
interface to the output of another. As such, you can route
the input of the MPU directly to the output of the MPU without
intermediate software.
If that also works, then your MPU and its drivers are also
working correctly, and thus it must be Cubase's fault.

	Henk

-- 
Henk Van Wulpen               henk.vanwulpen@...
Teaching Assistant
Computer Science Department   http://www.cs.kuleuven.ac.be
KULeuven - Belgium            http://www.kuleuven.ac.be

--- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "justinkk2001" <mirlin567@a...> wrote:
> well, it will still play from midi sequences already recorded in 
> cubase. 

That's good.

> it just won't play when i hit the keys live.  but doesn't 
> the fact that i hit keys and the midi out indicator in cubase lights 
> up mean that it is transmitting midi signals out?  

Yes, but where is it sending those MIDI note events. Obviously not your AN1x?!

> 
> one thing i did notice was that in the cubase midi setup, it has 
> midi output set to "microsoft GS wavetable". 


Okay, isn't that the General MIDI sound set built into Windows? Yes, I think...so, 
changing it to MPU-401 would be correct.

 i change it to "mpu-
> 401" and then go to exit.  but hitting keys still produces no sound, 
> and i go back to setup and it's back to "microsoft GS wavetable" 
> again.

Is this a global option or set at the track level? BTW - have you checked the FAQ at 
Cubase.net?

Jon

Hi,

I use to have exactly the same problem with cheap Terratec audio card. It
behaved like there was midi echo on all the time - even it was set off from
software. I was able to work with it some time by just physically switching
the midi cables, so when I needed to record I attached only midi out cable
to AN1x and when I was listening the sequcene I had only midi in attached
:-) ... it wasn't too fun to work like that :( ...

Cheers,
TimoS

--- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "Timo Sandholm" 
<timo.sandholm@u...> wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I use to have exactly the same problem with cheap Terratec audio 
card. It
> behaved like there was midi echo on all the time - even it was set 
off from
> software. I was able to work with it some time by just physically 
switching
> the midi cables, so when I needed to record I attached only midi 
out cable
> to AN1x and when I was listening the sequcene I had only midi in 
attached
> :-) ... it wasn't too fun to work like that :( ...
> 
> Cheers,
> TimoS

so what did you end up doing?  did you buy a different MIDI interface?

if i remember correctly, i think i also had it where it would work if 
only one MIDI cable (in or out) was in the AN1X.  i'll look into the 
MPU-401 drivers also..

thanks for all your help everyone!

i got hubi's loopback.  

if i open an1xedit first, i can't select MPU-401 as either midi in 
or out (same with cubase).  but i can click on the virtual keys and 
sound will come out.  

if i open loopback first, then i can choose them, but still no sound 
comes out while hitting keys.  then, i open an1xedit, i get a couple 
error messages and then i click on the virtual piano keys and no 
sound comes out.  if i had opened an1xedit b4 loopback (or without 
loopback on at all), then i would have been able to do at least 
that.  

i'm coming to the conclusion that i need a midisport uno maybe... 
they're sold out everywhere!

--- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "justinkk2001" <mirlin567@a...> 
wrote:
> i got hubi's loopback.  
> 
> if i open an1xedit first, i can't select MPU-401 as either midi in 
> or out (same with cubase).  but i can click on the virtual keys and 
> sound will come out.  
> 
> if i open loopback first, then i can choose them, but still no 
sound 
> comes out while hitting keys.  then, i open an1xedit, i get a 
couple 
> error messages and then i click on the virtual piano keys and no 
> sound comes out.  if i had opened an1xedit b4 loopback (or without 
> loopback on at all), then i would have been able to do at least 
> that.  
> 
> i'm coming to the conclusion that i need a midisport uno maybe... 
> they're sold out everywhere!

There are a few with tips detailing how to config Hubi's + AN1xEdit + 
Cubase in the Files section of AN1x-list here at Yahoo! Groups"

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/AN1x-list/files/Tips%20and%
20Tricks/

Hi,

> so what did you end up doing?  did you buy a different MIDI interface?

I had another sound card which I installed and it worked ok, so the problem
was definitely caused by the Terratec sound card.

Cheers,
TimoS