Professor_Spartacus
Level 1 (8 points)
Audio

Q: Mainstage Fix (not Mainstage after all)

This may be helpful to some. I have a 2015 15" Macbook Pro Retina Display with 1000GB SSD and 16GB RAM running the latest version of El Capitan. I also have a Nektar LX88 keyboard controller, a Resident Audio T2 Thunderbolt audio/MIDI interface, and Mainstage 3.2.4.

 

I was running the Nektar with both power and MIDI through USB and wasn't using the MIDI in on the T2 Thunderbolt interface (5-pin jack). Everything would be fine for a few minutes and then Mainstage would crash, requiring me to reboot the computer. I tried many optimizations and experiments to try and figure out the issue. Out of frustration, I even bought Sample Tank 3 as a possible replacement for Mainstage. While playing with Sample Tank, the computer also crashed. The controller wouldn't work, but I could play the virtual keyboard on the Sample Tank standalone app with my computer, and hear audio.

 

I did a little research and the actual problem had to do with a combination of the length of the USB cable (causing problems with power/MIDI transmission), and a loose fitting connection of the USB cable to the Nektar. Since the Nektar also has a regular 5-pin MIDI out, I instead connected that to the MIDI in on my T2 Thundebolt interface, used a wall wart power supply for the Nektar, and everything has run perfectly since. Fortunately, I can use Sampletank as an extra sound palette inside Mainstage.

 

Such a simple fix for all of the hours of misery I spent getting it to work

Posted on Apr 28, 2016 12:41 PM

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Professor_Spartacus

Q: Mainstage Fix (not Mainstage after all)

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  • by Procman,

    Procman Procman May 2, 2016 12:41 AM in response to Professor_Spartacus
    Level 1 (29 points)
    May 2, 2016 12:41 AM in response to Professor_Spartacus

    Thank you Professor

    Yes, I saw too that the quality of the USB cables are very sensible with Mainstage. I spent a lot of hours to experiment USB or MIDI for 4 devices (Nord, Korg, Novation, Motif) with a lot of configuration of filter on my MOTU Express XT and finally I found a solution.  For exemple (for me) Nord by USB, Korg by Midi (MOTU with full filter exept the Notes) Novation USB, Motif USB.  all on a Hootoo Hub  (very good compare to 4 others hub).

    USB cables: very good Quality needed.

    A second way to fix some "blocqued notes" is to change the curve of velocity in Mainstage: not 0 to 127 but 5 to 120  (or 10 to 120). A lot of bugs desapears.

    Mainstage seems very sensible with Midi and connections.   If it could help someone...