Logic Pro X Hanging Notes with Motu Express 128

Thanks again - at first all seems to work much better - but I still get hanging notes (just a little less frequent) - also from time to time notes seem to be sent to the wrong device and or Logic is missing a note or two (the second kick in a straight forward 4 to the floor beat is skipped every now and then).....

I think I got it. It did everything as suggested - than I tried playing the same sequence *without* my Novation 25SL MKII turned on - everything worked fine. I also tried using it with automap (latest version) turned off. Now it's a 'dumb' controller - I know - but everything seems rock solid. I think the Novation may be the culprit (of all things)

Thank you guys so far!

I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was actually the Novation.... They have new drivers up and a few people have reported success with them and 10.10 but for some, not so much.... so it's a bit of a gamble if they actually work or not it seems... and it's easy to think it's one thing when it's another.. or a combination of things, that can lead to such issues.

Anyhow.. keep testing and see if the current setup with the SL in dumb mode.. is really stable... and then, if needed, start experimenting with the novation stuff...

Cheers..

Nigel

Hello, I've been following this thread & I have a quick (related) question:

I'm looking to purchase a Motu Midi Express 128. I use a MacBook Pro running OSX 10.5.8 & Logic Pro 9. Will I encounter the same 'Hanging Notes' issue you guys are experiencing? I don't want to purchase problems!! Had enough of those with the Steinberg Midex 8!!!!!! Thank you for your help.

Cheers

Lec.

Probably not. I've fixed it. After uninstalling Novation's AUTOMAP - everything worked like magic. Tight midi timing, no weird having notes whatsoever (so far). I've even reinstalled AUTOMAP and everything works as it is supposed to. Really weird.

I really like Novation and MOTU products - so I am a happy bee.

Very interested in following this thread, as I'm having similar problems.

I know this is not a MainStage / Micro Express thread, but the problems seem the same.

If any one finds the solution to these problems - please post your findings.

I have sent the following info to customerservice@motu.com

I am having a terrible time with stuck midi notes. And at times certain synths detuning from one another.

MacBook Pro

Retina, 13” Early 2013

Processor 3 GHz Intel Core i7

Software OS X 10.9.5

Running things through Mainstage 3 (3.0.4)

MOTU Micro Express (via USB3 w/ powered USB2 hub between computer and Micro)

MOTU Hybrid Mk3 (via firewire/TB adapter)

Both MOTU units are new - bought new in December 2014.

External synths: JV1010, VL70m, FS1R, Fantom XR, VL1m

Soft synths: ES2, EXS24, Sample Tank3, Kontakt, FM8, WIVI Band etc…

All synths have been susceptible to stuck notes and at times detuning problems. At times one synth will hang and other times many synths will hang at once.

I tried the system with 3 different wind controllers. (2 - WX7, 1 - EWI 5000) all had the same problem.

The Micro Express is only routing one cable to each synth, or receiving one cable from the controller(s). No midi loops possible. Only outs to the external hard synths and in from the wind controller and one in from a patch change foot controller. The Micro Express is connected to the MBP via USB3. I have installed a powered USB 2 hub. That did relieve a lot of problems, but not the frequent hanging notes. I’ve tried several hubs to no avail. I’ve tried several different midi cables and USB cables. I also, tried every combination of power up I can think of, again to no avail.

I’ve also created a MainStage concert with only a couple of patches in it, to check if it might be a low memory problem. The problem is still present and as frequent.

I did confirm today (1/24/15) that I have the updated drivers for the Micro (3.0.26) and the MK3 (1.07) if I did everything right - which I believe I have.

Any help you could provide would be appreciated. I’m pulling my hair out and running out of ideas of what to check or change…

Thanks in advance.

and at times detuning problems.

This usually indicates an issue with one of your Midi controllers... typically sending pitch bends when it's not supposed to or a pitch bend level /wheel not correctly re-centering after use...

Agreed, but the weird thing is, it only does it to one or two of the synths and the others are fine. I run a lot of layers, so it's not uncommon for 6 - 7 different synth engines to be producing sound. If it was the controller it seems all the synths would be detuned together.

It does seem to do it with the EWI 5000. I can't remember if that problem showed with the WX7s...

I will continue to check what you have said and am grateful for the reply 🙂

I've had so many problems, just trying to remove them as I can. I've had the audio drop outs in my MK3 like in this thread as well:

Mainstage 3 / MOTU Ultralite Mk3 Hybrid driving me crazy

At this point I'm considering going back to hardware only for live performance. This is the second time I've tried to make the conversion (inclusion) to the software side and am having my doubts once again.

Thanks!

A quick way to test for errant incoming midi data is to use the free Midi Monitor app found here...

http://www.snoize.com/MIDIMonitor/

Connect your various controllers and then look for incoming data that shouldn't be sent at that time...

Using this monitor... I discovered a client's keyboard controller was sending out random but small pitch bend CCs every so often.. which was tracked down to vibrations caused by the level of sound output by his nearby speakers!

Put the speakers on foam rubber 'beds' and the problem vanished 🙂

Btw.. Im running various Motu Ultralites here including the MK 3 Hybrid (via an FW to Tbolt adaptor) with the latest drivers under Mavericks...and no issues whatsoever with audio dropout... or midi

Using the midi monitor shows that I believe my wind controllers are operating properly. As far as the detuning, which is rare, I think it's probably the midi stuck notes issue sticking during a pitch bend data stream.

MOTU was kind enough to send me a link to a beta driver - it may have helped with my software synths sticking, but my hardware rack is still a mess. Hopefully the new driver will help others. If it helps others, then it may point to the fact that I have something else going on... Anyway, here's the message from MOTU and the link to the driver.

"

We have a public beta of a new driver that addresses stuck note problems under OS 10.9 and 10.10

Please download and install this driver and let me know if symptoms change:

Direct download link: serve.motu.com/testing/MIDI/150107/MOTU%20MIDI%20Installer%2064820.zip

Thank you SaintSax for the link to the beta drivers....