Midi mayhem

[rubber_jonnie]

I have an interesting problem I'm trying to troubleshoot.

I have an Evoulution MK149 keyboard which I know to be faulty.

When I connect it and turn it on it causes Cubase 2 to freeze up, and similar problems with MT Pro. If I turn it off, the programs recover, turn it back on and the problems come back. My other keyboard, also an Evolution, this time a MK225c, works fine and I can record notes etc.

So the computer is ok, AFAIK, but the keyboard seems to be swamping the Midi in on the ST and causing it to hang.

So the question is, are there any Midi testers out there that allow you to see what a device is sending?

Also, with regards to the ST midi ports, I can test Midi using my diag cart (Just for peace of mind, I don't think it has a problem), so is there a loopback cable required, or is it a simple as plugging a Midi cable from out to in?

Any help gratefully received.

[rubber_jonnie]

Ok, so although I'm asking what other folks might do, I have been doing my own digging. A little self help goes a long way.

I discovered a program called Midi-OX http://www.midiox.com/, which allows you to view midi data as it comes from a device.

Although it requires a Midi2USB device (Not a program for the ST sadly), I have one, so plugged it all in and set up with my known working keyboard.

It looks great, you can see all the data, such as note on/off, instrument changes, panning, mod wheel and pitch bend etc.

The MK149 however shows a blank screen. Occasionally it will see a genuine Midi command, say a note on, but mostly it causes Midi-OX to freeze up and sometimes crash, much like when connected to the ST and Cubase freezes.

So it seems that it's sending out unintelligible Midi streams most of the time, so next step is complete disassembly so I can break it down into functional units and work out just why the Midi info is crappy.

It has the ptential to be a nice KB sokeeping my fingers crossed.

[Cosmic Puppet]

Hi. My Roland Juno-Di was recently causing problems like this. Every music program on my ST would freeze on load up. I did a full FACTORY RESET of the keyboard and everything has been great since.