Emu XL-7 & MP-7 User's Group

Hey Everybody,

I'm not really a regular here, but I do check in every once in 
awhile.  I've been having this really weird problem, which I'm 
*pretty* sure is related to my MP-7, but I'm not exactly sure.  Let 
me describe it to you folks, maybe you can figure out what's going 
wrong!

I'm using an ASUS A7N8X Deluxe motherboard with an Ahtlon XP 2600+ 
chip with 300mhz FSB.  512 megs of RAM, WD Caviar 8mb Cache 120gb HD, 
and an M-Audio Delta 10/10lt soundcard.
Recently, I've been trying to learn how to use Cubase SX with Reason 
(utilizing Rewire, of course).  I have the delta's midi in/out hooked 
up to my MP-7, and my MOBO's onboard MIDI connector (joystick port) 
to connect to my keyboard.  I've been trying to play things on the 
keyboard and have them be recorded on the MP7.  This worked fine for 
the first track I recorded, Track 16 (I already have some drums 
recorded on 1-8).  I did this by using Cubase's midi thru function, 
essentially creating a midi track with my keyboard as the input and 
mp7 as output.  But then I have tried a couple of times to record 
another track (Track 15), and something goes wrong.  For some reason, 
the mp7 records the notes I play, but doesn't register key-offs!  
That is, it's as though I have a sustain pedal pushed down for my 
entire track 15.  To verify this, in Cubase, I created a midi track 
with the mp7 track 15 as input, and a reason synth as output.  When I 
hit the keys on my mp7, they triggered the note, but again, when I 
let OFF the key, the note didn't turn off!  And if that wasn't weird 
enough, I started trying all the different keys in different octaves, 
and SOME keys behaved correctly, although MOST keys did NOT!  Out of 
curiousity, I started testing the other tracks on my mp7, and they 
were all similar!  Some keys worked properly, some did not.  No 
correlation that I could tell between tracks or octaves.

Other than that, my MP7 has always worked perfectly.  I swear it's 
the best investment I've ever made!  But this problem is weird and I 
have no idea what to do...  it's prolly some stupid midi thing that 
I'd never think of!  ArggghHhH!

All help is greatly appreciated!  Thanks VERY much!

-Steve

Hi Steve -

Not quite sure if I understand exactly what you are saying - but in
general I recommend getting all your MIDI trax together in the DAW
sequencer including all controller data - and then when they are as
you want them - record them individually straight into the  MP-7.

hope that helps

and good luck

Ed


--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "mercurysbane" <leadguitar@h...> wrote:

> Hey Everybody,
> 
> I'm not really a regular here, but I do check in every once in 
> awhile.  I've been having this really weird problem, which I'm 
> *pretty* sure is related to my MP-7, but I'm not exactly sure.  Let 
> me describe it to you folks, maybe you can figure out what's going 
> wrong!
> 
> I'm using an ASUS A7N8X Deluxe motherboard with an Ahtlon XP 2600+ 
> chip with 300mhz FSB.  512 megs of RAM, WD Caviar 8mb Cache 120gb HD, 
> and an M-Audio Delta 10/10lt soundcard.
> Recently, I've been trying to learn how to use Cubase SX with Reason 
> (utilizing Rewire, of course).  I have the delta's midi in/out hooked 
> up to my MP-7, and my MOBO's onboard MIDI connector (joystick port) 
> to connect to my keyboard.  I've been trying to play things on the 
> keyboard and have them be recorded on the MP7.  This worked fine for 
> the first track I recorded, Track 16 (I already have some drums 
> recorded on 1-8).  I did this by using Cubase's midi thru function, 
> essentially creating a midi track with my keyboard as the input and 
> mp7 as output.  But then I have tried a couple of times to record 
> another track (Track 15), and something goes wrong.  For some reason, 
> the mp7 records the notes I play, but doesn't register key-offs!  
> That is, it's as though I have a sustain pedal pushed down for my 
> entire track 15.  To verify this, in Cubase, I created a midi track 
> with the mp7 track 15 as input, and a reason synth as output.  When I 
> hit the keys on my mp7, they triggered the note, but again, when I 
> let OFF the key, the note didn't turn off!  And if that wasn't weird 
> enough, I started trying all the different keys in different octaves, 
> and SOME keys behaved correctly, although MOST keys did NOT!  Out of 
> curiousity, I started testing the other tracks on my mp7, and they 
> were all similar!  Some keys worked properly, some did not.  No 
> correlation that I could tell between tracks or octaves.
> 
> Other than that, my MP7 has always worked perfectly.  I swear it's 
> the best investment I've ever made!  But this problem is weird and I 
> have no idea what to do...  it's prolly some stupid midi thing that 
> I'd never think of!  ArggghHhH!
> 
> All help is greatly appreciated!  Thanks VERY much!
> 
> -Steve

Hey Ed - 
Thanks for the suggestion!  It seemed like a very sensible idea to 
me.  So I gave it a shot - just for this one track.  When the track 
was playing from my DAW, it sounded perfect - exactly how I wanted it 
to sound.  So I recorded track 15 in my DAW, then recorded it onto my 
MP-7 simply by hitting record on the MP-7 while it was playing.  
Everything was synced correctly and sounded OK, but again, it's not 
registering when I have let off of a key.  All notes are sustained on 
track 15 indefinitely!  It's terribly bothersome.

Then I had a new idea.  I got the pattern that I'm using onto my 
computer using E-Loader, then I put track 15 in that midi file using 
my DAW.  Then I downloaded that new midi file onto my mp7 using 
Eloader again.  Same problem.  Interesting thing I've noticed about 
it though: if I hit Edit-Pattern then change Track 15's channel 
assign to 16A, the problem goes away!  Fricken odd...

But I also have another problem.  I have things set up (using Cubase 
SX) so that when I hit play in Cubase, it makes the current pattern 
on my mp7 play with Cubase.  I have the Cubase and mp7 tempo's set to 
the same thing.  Eventually, though, the sync between the two drift 
apart!  I've tried to sync the two sequencers using a couple of 
different methods, but nothing seems to work.  I've set the mp7's 
tempo to 0, and I've tried to set up midi sync in Cubase.  In the 
Midi Sync Setup Dialogue box, I've selected: Timecode Source-"Midi 
Timecode" Machine Control-"None", and I've selected appropriate midi 
in/outs.  If I try to select "Midi Machine Control" for the Machine 
Control option, then it won't start when I hit play.

This is really more bothersome than my other problem.  Maybe I should 
post it in a different message.

Any ideas for my problems?  Any and all help would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Steve

--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "vibesart" <vibesart@y...> wrote:
> Hi Steve -
> 
> Not quite sure if I understand exactly what you are saying - but in
> general I recommend getting all your MIDI trax together in the DAW
> sequencer including all controller data - and then when they are as
> you want them - record them individually straight into the  MP-7.
> 
> hope that helps
> 
> and good luck
> 
> Ed
> 
> 
> --- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "mercurysbane" <leadguitar@h...> wrote:
> > Hey Everybody,
> > 
> > I'm not really a regular here, but I do check in every once in 
> > awhile.  I've been having this really weird problem, which I'm 
> > *pretty* sure is related to my MP-7, but I'm not exactly sure.  
Let 
> > me describe it to you folks, maybe you can figure out what's 
going 
> > wrong!
> > 
> > I'm using an ASUS A7N8X Deluxe motherboard with an Ahtlon XP 
2600+ 
> > chip with 300mhz FSB.  512 megs of RAM, WD Caviar 8mb Cache 120gb 
HD, 
> > and an M-Audio Delta 10/10lt soundcard.
> > Recently, I've been trying to learn how to use Cubase SX with 
Reason 
> > (utilizing Rewire, of course).  I have the delta's midi in/out 
hooked 
> > up to my MP-7, and my MOBO's onboard MIDI connector (joystick 
port) 
> > to connect to my keyboard.  I've been trying to play things on 
the 
> > keyboard and have them be recorded on the MP7.  This worked fine 
for 
> > the first track I recorded, Track 16 (I already have some drums 
> > recorded on 1-8).  I did this by using Cubase's midi thru 
function, 
> > essentially creating a midi track with my keyboard as the input 
and 
> > mp7 as output.  But then I have tried a couple of times to record 
> > another track (Track 15), and something goes wrong.  For some 
reason, 
> > the mp7 records the notes I play, but doesn't register key-offs!  
> > That is, it's as though I have a sustain pedal pushed down for my 
> > entire track 15.  To verify this, in Cubase, I created a midi 
track 
> > with the mp7 track 15 as input, and a reason synth as output.  
When I 
> > hit the keys on my mp7, they triggered the note, but again, when 
I 
> > let OFF the key, the note didn't turn off!  And if that wasn't 
weird 
> > enough, I started trying all the different keys in different 
octaves, 
> > and SOME keys behaved correctly, although MOST keys did NOT!  Out 
of 
> > curiousity, I started testing the other tracks on my mp7, and 
they 
> > were all similar!  Some keys worked properly, some did not.  No 
> > correlation that I could tell between tracks or octaves.
> > 
> > Other than that, my MP7 has always worked perfectly.  I swear 
it's 
> > the best investment I've ever made!  But this problem is weird 
and I 
> > have no idea what to do...  it's prolly some stupid midi thing 
that 

> > I'd never think of!  ArggghHhH!
> > 
> > All help is greatly appreciated!  Thanks VERY much!
> > 
> > -Steve

Hey all,

A quick addendum to my situation:

I did a quick search here for suggestions about sync to DAW's.  
Nearly everyone suggested setting the xx-7's tempo to ext.  So I gave 
it another shot, and this time I turned on the metronome on my DAW 
(cubase sx), so I could track how well it did.  It was just over a 
minute before the drift was more than I could bear to listen to.  
Help would be much appreciated from u oldschool pros!  ;)

-Steve

--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "mercurysbane" <leadguitar@h...> wrote:
> Hey Ed - 
> Thanks for the suggestion!  It seemed like a very sensible idea to 
> me.  So I gave it a shot - just for this one track.  When the track 
> was playing from my DAW, it sounded perfect - exactly how I wanted 
it 
> to sound.  So I recorded track 15 in my DAW, then recorded it onto 
my 
> MP-7 simply by hitting record on the MP-7 while it was playing.  
> Everything was synced correctly and sounded OK, but again, it's not 
> registering when I have let off of a key.  All notes are sustained 
on 
> track 15 indefinitely!  It's terribly bothersome.
> 
> Then I had a new idea.  I got the pattern that I'm using onto my 
> computer using E-Loader, then I put track 15 in that midi file 
using 
> my DAW.  Then I downloaded that new midi file onto my mp7 using 
> Eloader again.  Same problem.  Interesting thing I've noticed about 
> it though: if I hit Edit-Pattern then change Track 15's channel 
> assign to 16A, the problem goes away!  Fricken odd...
> 
> But I also have another problem.  I have things set up (using 
Cubase 
> SX) so that when I hit play in Cubase, it makes the current pattern 
> on my mp7 play with Cubase.  I have the Cubase and mp7 tempo's set 
to 
> the same thing.  Eventually, though, the sync between the two drift 
> apart!  I've tried to sync the two sequencers using a couple of 
> different methods, but nothing seems to work.  I've set the mp7's 
> tempo to 0, and I've tried to set up midi sync in Cubase.  In the 
> Midi Sync Setup Dialogue box, I've selected: Timecode Source-"Midi 
> Timecode" Machine Control-"None", and I've selected appropriate 
midi 
> in/outs.  If I try to select "Midi Machine Control" for the Machine 
> Control option, then it won't start when I hit play.
> 
> This is really more bothersome than my other problem.  Maybe I 
should 
> post it in a different message.
> 
> Any ideas for my problems?  Any and all help would be appreciated!
> 
> Thanks,
> Steve
> 
> --- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "vibesart" <vibesart@y...> wrote:
> > Hi Steve -
> > 
> > Not quite sure if I understand exactly what you are saying - but 
in
> > general I recommend getting all your MIDI trax together in the DAW
> > sequencer including all controller data - and then when they are 
as
> > you want them - record them individually straight into the  MP-7.
> > 
> > hope that helps
> > 
> > and good luck
> > 
> > Ed
> > 
> > 
> > --- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "mercurysbane" <leadguitar@h...> 
wrote:
> > > Hey Everybody,
> > > 
> > > I'm not really a regular here, but I do check in every once in 
> > > awhile.  I've been having this really weird problem, which I'm 
> > > *pretty* sure is related to my MP-7, but I'm not exactly sure.  
> Let 
> > > me describe it to you folks, maybe you can figure out what's 
> going 
> > > wrong!
> > > 
> > > I'm using an ASUS A7N8X Deluxe motherboard with an Ahtlon XP 
> 2600+ 
> > > chip with 300mhz FSB.  512 megs of RAM, WD Caviar 8mb Cache 
120gb 
> HD, 
> > > and an M-Audio Delta 10/10lt soundcard.
> > > Recently, I've been trying to learn how to use Cubase SX with 
> Reason 
> > > (utilizing Rewire, of course).  I have the delta's midi in/out 
> hooked 
> > > up to my MP-7, and my MOBO's onboard MIDI connector (joystick 
> port) 
> > > to connect to my keyboard.  I've been trying to play things on 
> the 
> > > keyboard and have them be recorded on the MP7.  This worked 
fine 
> for 
> > > the first track I recorded, Track 16 (I already have some drums 
> > > recorded on 1-8).  I did this by using Cubase's midi thru 
> function, 
> > > essentially creating a midi track with my keyboard as the input 
> and 
> > > mp7 as output.  But then I have tried a couple of times to 
record 
> > > another track (Track 15), and something goes wrong.  For some 
> reason, 
> > > the mp7 records the notes I play, but doesn't register key-
offs!  
> > > That is, it's as though I have a sustain pedal pushed down for 
my 
> > > entire track 15.  To verify this, in Cubase, I created a midi 
> track 
> > > with the mp7 track 15 as input, and a reason synth as output.  
> When I 
> > > hit the keys on my mp7, they triggered the note, but again, 
when 
> I 
> > > let OFF the key, the note didn't turn off!  And if that wasn't 
> weird 
> > > enough, I started trying all the different keys in different 
> octaves, 
> > > and SOME keys behaved correctly, although MOST keys did NOT!  
Out 

> of 
> > > curiousity, I started testing the other tracks on my mp7, and 
> they 
> > > were all similar!  Some keys worked properly, some did not.  No 
> > > correlation that I could tell between tracks or octaves.
> > > 
> > > Other than that, my MP7 has always worked perfectly.  I swear 
> it's 
> > > the best investment I've ever made!  But this problem is weird 
> and I 
> > > have no idea what to do...  it's prolly some stupid midi thing 
> that 
> > > I'd never think of!  ArggghHhH!
> > > 
> > > All help is greatly appreciated!  Thanks VERY much!
> > > 
> > > -Steve

Then I had a new idea.  I got the pattern that I'm using onto my 
computer using E-Loader, then I put track 15 in that midi file using 
my DAW.  Then I downloaded that new midi file onto my mp7 using 
Eloader again.  Same problem.  Interesting thing I've noticed about 
it though: if I hit Edit-Pattern then change Track 15's channel 
assign to 16A, the problem goes away!  Fricken odd...

>>>Hmm,  make sure rechannelize input is set to OFF in the MP7, see if 
that fixes it. I use the method you describe above with SX all the time, 
never seen this.  IS your MP7 OS up to version 2.0? <<<

I've set the mp7's tempo to 0, and I've tried to set up midi sync in 
Cubase.  In the Midi Sync Setup Dialogue box, I've selected: Timecode 
Source-"Midi Timecode" Machine Control-"None", and I've selected 
appropriate midi in/outs.  If I try to select "Midi Machine Control" for 
the Machine Control option, then it won't start when I hit play.

>>>You need to check the correct port in the "MIDI Clock" box (lower right 
side) in the sync set up.  The XX-7's don't respond to MTC, only MIDI 
clock.  You were close! :) <<<

rEalm


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hey rEalm,

Thanks!  I don't know what the heck is different between last night 
and today, but for some reason, now that checked both the boxes for 
my soundcard (regular and emulated), sync seems to work fine!  Just 
tested it for a few minutes, and (even though it fluctuates from 154-
156 or so), it seems to be sync'd right up.  So that kicks ass!

Unfortunately my wierd track 15 sustain problem is still alive and 
with me.  I did a few things since last night:  (1) Made sure that 
rechannelize input was off.  It was.  (2) Checked to make sure the 
MP7 OS was version 2.0.  It was.  (3)  Created a new track (#14a), 
using a new synthesizer with Reason, hoping that things would work 
for THAT track.  They did not.  I used a trumpet flair type of patch, 
so I could tell for sure whether or not it was sustaining longer than 
I had played it.  It was.  Then I made sure that this wasn't just 
some anomoly because I was playing things on my keyboard, using 
Cubase's midi THRU feature to record them to my MP7.  So I simply 
played the pads on my mp7, and sure enough, same problem.

OK thinking about this somemore, I've thought...  I created track 16 
first, and that's the only one that works.  The problem could lie in:
(1) MP7 playback of the notes.  It sends the 'note on' but not 
the 'note off' signal.  This seems unlikely to me.
(2) Cubase/Rewire/Reason.  This seems far more possible, but I have 
no idea where exactly the problem would lie, or even where to start 
looking.

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than I will be able to offer 
some sort of insight into this problem.  rEalm?  Any ideas?

Thanks for you help everyone!

-Steve
--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, erik_magrini@B... wrote:
> Then I had a new idea.  I got the pattern that I'm using onto my 
> computer using E-Loader, then I put track 15 in that midi file 
using 
> my DAW.  Then I downloaded that new midi file onto my mp7 using 
> Eloader again.  Same problem.  Interesting thing I've noticed about 
> it though: if I hit Edit-Pattern then change Track 15's channel 
> assign to 16A, the problem goes away!  Fricken odd...
> 
> >>>Hmm,  make sure rechannelize input is set to OFF in the MP7, see 
if 
> that fixes it. I use the method you describe above with SX all the 
time, 
> never seen this.  IS your MP7 OS up to version 2.0? <<<
> 
> I've set the mp7's tempo to 0, and I've tried to set up midi sync 
in 
> Cubase.  In the Midi Sync Setup Dialogue box, I've selected: 
Timecode 
> Source-"Midi Timecode" Machine Control-"None", and I've selected 
> appropriate midi in/outs.  If I try to select "Midi Machine 
Control" for 
> the Machine Control option, then it won't start when I hit play.
> 
> >>>You need to check the correct port in the "MIDI Clock" box 
(lower right 
> side) in the sync set up.  The XX-7's don't respond to MTC, only 
MIDI 

> clock.  You were close! :) <<<
> 
> rEalm
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hey Everyone!

OK!  I realized that i'm *DUMB* and I hadn't updated Cubase SX to 
1.06.  So I went and downloaded the updater and updated my cubase to 
1.06, and now everything works great!  So don't lose anymore sleep on 
my account.  ;)

-Steve

--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "mercurysbane" <leadguitar@h...> wrote:
> Hey rEalm,
> 
> Thanks!  I don't know what the heck is different between last night 
> and today, but for some reason, now that checked both the boxes for 
> my soundcard (regular and emulated), sync seems to work fine!  Just 
> tested it for a few minutes, and (even though it fluctuates from 
154-
> 156 or so), it seems to be sync'd right up.  So that kicks ass!
> 
> Unfortunately my wierd track 15 sustain problem is still alive and 
> with me.  I did a few things since last night:  (1) Made sure that 
> rechannelize input was off.  It was.  (2) Checked to make sure the 
> MP7 OS was version 2.0.  It was.  (3)  Created a new track (#14a), 
> using a new synthesizer with Reason, hoping that things would work 
> for THAT track.  They did not.  I used a trumpet flair type of 
patch, 
> so I could tell for sure whether or not it was sustaining longer 
than 
> I had played it.  It was.  Then I made sure that this wasn't just 
> some anomoly because I was playing things on my keyboard, using 
> Cubase's midi THRU feature to record them to my MP7.  So I simply 
> played the pads on my mp7, and sure enough, same problem.
> 
> OK thinking about this somemore, I've thought...  I created track 
16 
> first, and that's the only one that works.  The problem could lie 
in:
> (1) MP7 playback of the notes.  It sends the 'note on' but not 
> the 'note off' signal.  This seems unlikely to me.
> (2) Cubase/Rewire/Reason.  This seems far more possible, but I have 
> no idea where exactly the problem would lie, or even where to start 
> looking.
> 
> Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than I will be able to offer 
> some sort of insight into this problem.  rEalm?  Any ideas?
> 
> Thanks for you help everyone!
> 
> -Steve
> --- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, erik_magrini@B... wrote:
> > Then I had a new idea.  I got the pattern that I'm using onto my 
> > computer using E-Loader, then I put track 15 in that midi file 
> using 
> > my DAW.  Then I downloaded that new midi file onto my mp7 using 
> > Eloader again.  Same problem.  Interesting thing I've noticed 
about 
> > it though: if I hit Edit-Pattern then change Track 15's channel 
> > assign to 16A, the problem goes away!  Fricken odd...
> > 
> > >>>Hmm,  make sure rechannelize input is set to OFF in the MP7, 
see 
> if 
> > that fixes it. I use the method you describe above with SX all 
the 

> time, 
> > never seen this.  IS your MP7 OS up to version 2.0? <<<
> > 
> > I've set the mp7's tempo to 0, and I've tried to set up midi sync 
> in 
> > Cubase.  In the Midi Sync Setup Dialogue box, I've selected: 
> Timecode 
> > Source-"Midi Timecode" Machine Control-"None", and I've selected 
> > appropriate midi in/outs.  If I try to select "Midi Machine 
> Control" for 
> > the Machine Control option, then it won't start when I hit play.
> > 
> > >>>You need to check the correct port in the "MIDI Clock" box 
> (lower right 
> > side) in the sync set up.  The XX-7's don't respond to MTC, only 
> MIDI 
> > clock.  You were close! :) <<<
> > 
> > rEalm
> > 
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks!  I don't know what the heck is different between last night 
and today, but for some reason, now that checked both the boxes for 
my soundcard (regular and emulated), sync seems to work fine!

>>>Be sure to read the articles on the Steinberg KNowledge base about 
emulated ports.  In most (but not all) cases, emulated ports are soemthing 
you DON'T want.  Lots more info about this on the Steinberg.net site. <<< 

Then I made sure that this wasn't just some anomoly because I was playing 
things on my keyboard, using Cubase's midi THRU feature to record them to 
my MP7.  So I simply played the pads on my mp7, and sure enough, same 
problem.

>>>Do you have the Thru feature disabled in the MP7 too?  If you're using 
the Thru in cubase (which is fine), make sure you don't also have the 
MP7's Thru activated (MIDI Menu, FYI).  That's what it sounds like to me. 
<<<

Thanks for you help everyone!

>>>No problem, that's what this list is for! <<<

rEalm
 








[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]