Logic Pro X Hanging Notes with Motu Express 128

Hi,

I have Logic Pro X 10.0.7. with Mac OS X10.9.4 @ GHz Intel Core 7 8GB Ram, Mac Book Pro, MOTU Midi Express 128 and various hardware synths.

The Motu arrived yesterday and all the installationseemed to go ok - and MOTO confirm this from looking at the system file. But having set it up in Logic Pro I find that after a few notes playing notes seem to hang and stay on - as though no MIDI off note was sent. This is worse if I send MIDI clock out to my synths. I have no idea why this is so. I'm wondering if there is something that i am missing in setting up MIDI in Logic. I am setting my Outputs and channels appropriately - so instruments are only communicating direct with Logic - no daisy chaining. If I turn everything off except one instrument I get the same problem.

Please HELP!!!!

I'll try anything - and if you need more information to help please ask!!

David

MacBook, MacBookPro, Airport Express, Time Capsule, Mac OS X (10.6.2), Couple of PCs - on their way out

Posted on Aug 8, 2014 9:12 AM

101 replies

Aug 12, 2014 12:59 AM in response to David Kellett

No diff with the iPhone off I'm afraid :-(

David

Yabut

Level 1

8 points

Aug 19, 2014 4:03 AM in response to David Kellett

I'm having the same problems too. Last night I took my rig to a rehearsal and had hanging notes and skipped beats etc... using a new MacBook Air that replaced the same config from a unit I bought a year earlier. I was using a USB 2 hub as well to hook up to my older MOTU MIDI TimePiece with USB. Previous MacBook Air had no issues ever.

This new one though seems to be having issues....

Aug 19, 2014 4:57 AM in response to Yabut

Yep it seems to be an issue with latest MacBook Pros and Airs. MOTU now believe me as the MOTU importer to the UK (only a few miles away) reproduced the same fault on a new Mac Book Air. MOTU have now produced it on an Mac Pro - but not when using a USB2 hub. I've tried couple of hubs and had the fault with both. Seems to be drivers and newer Macs.

Yabut - please get in touch with MOTU support. They are investigating and the more info they have the better they can fix it.

I just got a Doepfer Modular system delivered - and it is synched up with a Roland SH101 and a Korg Monotribe perfectly. Good old CV and Gate!!! The days pre MIDI were simpler and it all still works 33 years after I got the SH101 :-)

David

Yabut

Level 1

8 points

Aug 19, 2014 5:07 AM in response to David Kellett

Fortunately my wife has a previous generation MacBook Air so I might swap data between the computers and take hers and she can use the new one. This is surely an issue with Apple as I doubt MOTU would issue a fix for a timepiece that's over 10 years old.

USB 3 on the MacBook has been a problem with MOTU units and using a USB 2 hub between it and devices was an easy and cheap fix. But now even that isn't working.

Aug 19, 2014 5:30 AM in response to Yabut

They are still making the 128 and shipping new ones as working with all latest Mac hardware / software - so it is a MOTU issue to make sure that the drivers truly do work with all the latest. They are def working on it. And if you send them a system file of what your MacAir is they can further narrow down what the issue is and make a fix. WE need the MOTU 128 to work and keep on working as its the only 8 in 8 out Midi left in production!!! My MIDISport 8x8 (two of them) no longer have drivers and so are useless to me - though in perfect working order!!!! I was hoping that the 128 could be the communications heart of my set up - and that I would buy a second one shortly so I could have everything wired up at once - lots of "old" synths here!! And I'm still hoping that I can get everything up and running.

David

Aug 19, 2014 6:30 AM in response to David Kellett

Now I do feel better - Motu still not working (but I'm hopeful) - but just improvised live with the Doepfer and a couple of other Waldorfs and it was great just to do something and not be stuck in the same negative loop of "Oh no!! My Motu 128 is not working"

:-)

Lets hope the Motu does get working though soon,

David

Sep 3, 2014 8:33 AM in response to David Kellett

MOTU is asking if I tried running the Express 128 through a powered USB 2.0 hub... I am away from my home studio, but really curious if that will help at all? Maybe they're suggesting that too long a USB cable, or improper cable, could be the issue? Just thought I would share.

Jesse

Sep 3, 2014 8:37 AM in response to ManicBoy248

Yes, absolutely that might help as USB 3 ports have different power requirements and so plugging a USB 2 device straight into a USB 3 port can cause issues with USB 2 devices that require more power. So plugging into a powered USB 2 hub and into a USB 3 port allows your motu to get extra current

Sep 3, 2014 8:40 AM in response to ManicBoy248

I Think that for some people the USB hub thing works - but didn't for me. The latest I have had from MOTU is that it is an Apple change to some internal USB thing that had been raised with Apple and solved previously but that has reappeared in recent MacBook Airs and Pros. Mine is a new MacBook Pro and the USB Hub thing didn't make any difference.

But good to try on your machine - and feed back here and to MOTU as I think the more information there is the faster there will be a fix,

David

Sep 3, 2014 4:05 PM in response to David Kellett

well that didn't work either :/

Sep 3, 2014 11:41 PM in response to ManicBoy248

Well it's good that you tried :-)

hopefully the solution will come from Apple and MOTU soon,

David

Sep 4, 2014 6:15 AM in response to David Kellett

I did find a temporary work around though.

I use all my usb devices that have MIDI ports as well (i.e. Focusrite 18/8i, Akai MPK25, Arturia Mini Brute), as an interfaces for all my "retro-like" MIDI gear. I then saved a template file in logic, once I had everything setup (physically and virtually) in my studio. I actually don't get any hanging midi notes with this frankenstien's monster of a configuration. Here's how I have everything plugged in physically... if it helps?

Nord Lead –– (MIDI) –– Focusrite 18|8i –– (USB) –– iMac

Spectrum Synth –– (MIDI) –– Mini brute –– (USB) –– USB 2.0 hub –– iMac

Monotribe –– (Sync) –– Volca Bass –– (MIDI) –– Akai MPK25 –– (USB) –– iMac

MIDI Device –– MIDI –– Bass Station II –– (USB) –– USB 2.0 hub –– iMac

MIDI Device –– MIDI –– Sub Fatty –– (USB) –– USB 2.0 hub –– iMac

Arturia SparkLE –– (USB) –– iMac

Software Dongle –– (USB) –– USB 2.0 hub –– iMac

Coffee –– Jesse –– iMac

Yabut

Level 1

8 points

Sep 4, 2014 6:30 AM in response to David Kellett

It's definitely the new MacBook Air's (Haswell) that have issues. I swapped my new Haswell MBA for my wife's 2012 MBA model and the hanging problems have completely disappeared. I still have to use a USB 2.0 hub to connect to my MOTU MIDI Timepiece but at least my rig is back to normal.

WDI

Level 1

83 points

Sep 4, 2014 11:40 PM in response to David Kellett

I had this issue of hanging notes on rMBP late 2013 with Motu MTPAV and solved this issue by placing a cheap usb 2 powered hub that was collecting dust between the computer and the MTPAV. I think the hub needs to be powered and USB 2. I hope Motu/Apple get the problem solved as I don't think it's the best solution.

Sep 5, 2014 7:11 AM in response to David Kellett

Here's the answer I received from MOTU:

"Hi Jesse,

After looking at your .spx, I can confirm that your computer is one of the affected models. We've filed this bug with Apple, so they should be able to address it in an upcoming Mac OS update."

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Logic Pro X Hanging Notes with Motu Express 128