Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

On Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 03:11:23AM +0000, Claus wrote:
> Hi Steve :)
> 
> I\ufffdve been using a Winman 1x1 (ISA back then!) with no
> problems. Midiman BiPort 2x4s (COM port) on Win98se with NO
> problems. For the last year or so, a MidiSport 8x8 (USB on 98se(!!)
> is running. No problem either. I've also tried the MIDI I/O on the
> Evolution UC33e controller and the MIDI I/O on a Terratec Phase
> 22. All working.

I've used a few working interfaces over the years, too.  You mention
all brand name stuff, many that shipped with their own drivers.

I should be clear: I'm not talking about brand name midi interfaces
that just happen to be made in China.  They're likely as good as the
name on them and the company standing behind them.

I'm talking about a no-name, generic USB-MIDI cable from ebay, that in
fact I realize I'm only assuming was made in China.  

Speaking as a driver writer (but, so far, not a MIDI driver writer),
sometimes hardware has bugs in it that must be worked around.  My
theory is that this cheap, no-name cable "stole" the circuitry /
silicon from a slightly buggy version of the UNO, and changed the USB
ID for the device which means the driver that works OK with a real UNO
can't recognize that it has to compensate for a hardware bug.

(If you don't think they can easily steal things like circuit board
artwork and silicon, read up on counterfiet Cisco hardware someday!)

> So I'm really wondering what Your problem might be. Maybe I'm wrong,
> but to my knowledge, VFXs don't use running status. Roland does, as
> one of the only ones getting to my mind from back then.

If it's true that the VFX doesn't use running status, that throws a
big wrench into my theory.  I looked at a different interface with my
VFX and Midi-Ox, and I don't see running status.  BUT I have a feeling
that the windows midi driver API has the driver hide received running
status from the applications, so midi-ox wouldn't know if running
status came in or not.

If I get time, I'll hook up the oscilloscope and find out for certain!
:-)

(You're not by any chance confusing running status with active
sensing, are you?  I know nearly nobody used active sensing.)

> To me it really sounds like a 'bad' USB port or something along that
> line. Which might include bad drivers. The BiPort 2x4s as an example
> runs way better with v1.02 than the newest avaiable drivers (1.05 I
> think, allthough discontinued). Have You tried that? It MIGHT
> help.

This is one of those devices that doesn't come with drivers, instead
uses the "class" drivers that ship with your OS.  So far I've used Mac
OS X Leopard, and Windows XP (SP2 I think, but I haven't paid too much
attention to detail there); both machines using USB ports that have no
problem with other things like thumb drives.  I also used a MidiMan
Oxygen 8 on the mac a little while back.  I can't say for sure it was
the same port, because I have two USB ports.

> Else I really would suggest the 8x8s (or similar), since it:
> Brings LOTS of I/O, works as a MIDI-patchbay. AND can be used
> without the computer :)) (OK, pricey, but really nice!)

I have quite a few examples of midi interfaces around here; I think I
even still have one to connect to my amiga around somewhere!  While
I've had one in particular be a bit flakey (MOTU PC midi flyer,
parallel port connection, I think it was interrupt conflicts or
something that caused flakeyness), all the others I've tried have
basically worked.  Never had a problem like this before.

The object of this purchase was a simple, inexpensive midi interface I
can toss in the laptop bag.  $20 seemed like a "what have I got to
lose" price -- the answer was I've got $20 to lose, of course.  $40 +
tax / shipping / etc. for a brand name interface seemed a little high
at the time.  Not now, though!

> One last (SIMPLE!) suggestion, as I had this problem once: Have You
> tried spraying the MIDI I/Os on the VFX with elctronic-cleaner? That
> MIGHT help too. 

I use the VFX-SD midi out all the time to control a Roland JV-1080.
And I hooked it up to the midi in on my Emu-1212 just to check for
certain (same win XP system I tested the USB interface on).  NO
dropped notes with that.  So, I think the electrical connection is
fine.

> You're on XP?

As well as OS X Leopard and various Linux systems; haven't done MIDI
on any of them for a while.  I mostly use MIDI only for live playing
and VFX-SD sequencing; I just record audio when I use a computer.

But, anyway, thanks for your input on this, Claus!  

--> Steve

-- 
Steve Wahl    steve@...

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