Midi not working properly on M1 MacBook Pro

Yup,

I bought a MacBook Pro M1 specifically for gigging....it’s basically a friggin brick. Midi interfaces don’t work. Gig performer has audio handling issues, can use BandHelper.

Apple made a mess out of this yet again....hardware before developer inclusion and software compatibility..

irresponsible. Where is the next Jobs because clearly the care for customers take a back seat to profit, innovation and expanding the brand in a responsible manner.

apple.....do better...you owe it to us. NO EXCUSES.

I have a BCR2000. I have been trying to troubleshoot it with Pocket MIDI and BC Manager.

It seems that it works under Big Sur on intel based macbook, but not on the M1.

-BCR is recognized properly in Audio Midi Setup

-input and output ports are created, and can be selected in apps

-input (from BCR to M1) works okay in CC and Sysex commands

-output (from M1 to BCR) does not work in any way, same hardware and software in intel works.

if anybody can give me any pointer where to dig, I am happy to help.

Same problem here. Also with A&H K2, as well as with AKAI MPK249.

I was hoping that the 11.2 OS update would fix this, but unfortunately it didn't.

It's actually quite a big issue that M1-based Macs have this problem with midi. I hope Apple takes it seriously and reacts as soon as possible!

All of a sudden I got a new update from Allen & Heath:

"Thanks for your feedback, hopefully we'll have more info on compatibility with Apple Silicone hardware soon"

So, let's keep raising awareness on this issue!

Hi everyone!

I have the same identical problem with Moog Slim Phatty.

My Macbook air M1 (Big Sur 11.3.1) recognize all my external usb/midi devices (Korg SV1 keyboard; Waldorf Blofeld synth; Behringer umc1820 audio interface; Akai APC40 controler; Midistart music 25 midi keyboard) except Moog Slim Phatty! No one of these devices needed an update (or a driver) to be recognized by the computer.

Slim Phatty is recognized in the Midi Configuration window but the icon is transparent. It appears like not turned on. In all the other devices is selected "on" automatically. There's no way to select "on" manually in the icons. I tried with another macbook m1 Big Sur and it was the same. With my old macbook pro (intel i7, OS 10.13.6) everything works fine.

Slim Phatty is updated to the latest firmware.

I contacted Apple and they said that it is a manufacturing problem.

I contacted a Waldorf technician, just to ask if Blofeld works with M1, and he gave me this answer: "USB is a fixed protocol and therefore independent of the system (Windows/Mac) or operating system OS". BTW, I asked Moog as well before buying my macbook but they didn't answer me and they still don't answer me even now that I wrote them about this problem.

Conclusion. I'm seeing here that a lot of people have the same problem with several devices therefore, maybe I'm wrong but it seems to me that it is an Apple problem.

Thanx in advance to all those who will help us to solve, in some way, this issues!

After over a month of chasing down empty leads and possible fixes I finally came to the conclusion that this is an M1 chip issue and I returned my new MacBook Pro. Apple was very understanding and didn’t even quibble about the fact that I was well over the 30 day return period. That tells me that they know they have a problem. Back to my 2012 MacBook Pro! It’s slow but still works like a champ!

Hello DJ Nasty Fingers,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities!

We understand that your Midi is not working with your M1 MacBook Pro. We're happy to help!

Below is an article that will provide some help for you with the Midi.

Set up MIDI devices using Audio MIDI Setup on Mac

Let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

Take care!

Infuriating! MOTU interfaces don't work with the M1 and so far I have not found an interface that will. I should have listened to the folks that said, don't go for it!

Same problem with A&H Xone:K1.

Hey Chuck. I have the same problem, but with my Mac mini M1 and my Emagic AMT8 midi interface.

It's detected in System Report under USB ports. But not detected in AUDIO MIDI setup / MIDI Studio.

Do you have any more solutions?

Thanks

Just for the record. Console shows this error from MIDIServer (AppleMIDIUSBDriver) on device connect:

USBMIDIDevice.cpp:190   [-] USBMIDIDevice(0x152108818)::Initialize() encountered an error and is exiting prematurely.

Wow, I’ve been a Mac user for 20 years and I never noticed this native app 😲

but cool. I’m gonna try it to see if I gave any error in midi. You might be right, but I have to try it anyway. Thanks buddy

I have a Traktor F1 and can tell you that it works perfectly, both in native and in MIDI mode.

Just got a reply from Allen & Heath, here's what they say:

This is something that we are currently aware of and our software team is investigating.The K2 is Core-compliant on Mac, so there is nothing to fix. As it currently stands, the new M1 system is not working with the K2. Hopefully, we will have some more information and a workaround on this soon.

The K2 is, therefore, currently unsupported on this platform until further notice.

At least they're aware of it. Hopefully a solution is coming, before clubs open again! 😉

DJ Nasty Fingers wrote:

Thanks for the input everyone.

I too was hoping the 11.2 update would fix it. I have reported the to apple via the feedback form and to tech support.

I've console too, I can see the connection but I get the same error as sinm pointed out.

I spent 2 months scouring support forums for anything that might help and come up with nothing other than more devices that aren't working. I asked A&H for an update but they've yet to get back to me, its been a week so I'm not holding my breath.

So off the back of that I've just bought a Native instruments X1, which according to NI is compatible with both Big Sur and M1 Macs.

I'll report back when it's arrived.