Re: AW: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Beware cheap chinese USB MIDI cables onebay...
2008-06-21 by Claus
If an EMU interface doesn't work, Creative really screwed it up, I would say! But considering that the VFX also works fine with the MIDI I/O's on the Creative soundcards, I see the EMU as a good choice :)
-----Original Message-----
From: mark4@...
Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2008 4:26 PM -07:00
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: AW: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Beware cheap chinese USB MIDI cables onebay...
I'm curious, has anyone tried the Emu 1x1 USB-MIDI? It has the least
expensive list price of any of that I've seen ($29.95)...
notwithstanding those EBay Chinese knock-offs.
- Mark
Hans Artmann wrote:
> Just to add to the device list:
> I'm using an Emagic AMT-8 and a Tascam U428 without any problems, both
> connected via USB.
> It's a pity that Emagic has been aquired by Apple - same sad story like
> with Ensoniq and Emu. Good products
> are been taken out of the competition while there's nothing better to offer.
>
> Hans
>
>
>
> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com] Im Auftrag von Steve Wahl
> Gesendet: Samstag, 21. Juni 2008 07:28
> An: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
> Betreff: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Beware cheap chinese USB MIDI cables
> onebay...
>
> On Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 03:11:23AM +0000, Claus wrote:
> > Hi Steve :)
> >
> > I´ve 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@...
>
> "'No Child Left Behind' -- Think about those words for a second. How
> else do you not leave a child behind unless you hold everyone else
> back with him?"
> -- Someone named ";Geoffrey" on Slashdot