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MIDI Express XT Weirdness

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2017 11:58 am
by davenpom
For some reason, each time I startup my iMac, I have to perform a Rescan in order for any of my MIDI data to pass through my MIDI Express XT (late 90s model) onto the computer. I used a desktop app called MIDI Monitor by Snoiz and saw that the only data comes through on the Sync port when I press keys on my controller (which is actually connected to port #8). After doing a Rescan, data shows up on port #8 as it should and everything is fine. But this has to be done every time I start my computer Here's what I tried so far:

-connect directly to computer bypassing USB hubs
-connect to a different computer
-update driver
-perform factory reset (disastrous results - read on)

None of these helped

Also, there's a problem with Clockworks where the configuration I saved didn't load correctly into the interface. Before performing a factory reset, I saved my configuration in Clockworks. I had to make new connections in AMS, but after testing, the results were still the same. I still had to rescan in order for data to pass through other than the sync port. I then tried to reload my configuration and the interface went berserk. I had to recreate all my configurations all over again from scratch. :banghead:

Has anyone seen this behavior? If so, how did you resolve it?

Re: MIDI Express XT Weirdness

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2017 2:21 pm
by mikehalloran
How old is that CR2032 battery? If over 5 years, that could easily be the culprit.

Re: MIDI Express XT Weirdness

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2017 6:03 pm
by davenpom
I bought this back in the late 90s and never replaced a battery. I assumed any batteries would be limited to keeping custom settings in the unit's internal memory, but I never had issues with turning the unit on and having my user presets missing. They only disappeared after the factory reset (expected), but the unit wouldn't load the config I saved beforehand.

Could the battery effect the unit's ability to restore its own config file as well as interfere with broadcasting its ports properly when the system boots up?

Thanks for the reply BTW.

Re: MIDI Express XT Weirdness

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2017 6:15 pm
by mikehalloran
A bad battery is worse than no battery.

Re: MIDI Express XT Weirdness

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 1:00 pm
by davenpom
mikehalloran wrote:A bad battery is worse than no battery.
I finally opened up my unit and replaced the battery. That helped with loading the configurations, but the issue with having to perform a Rescan is still in the air. At least I can get my configuration properly stored and loaded. Maybe I'll just have to live with the rescanning issue or replace it with another interface.

Re: MIDI Express XT Weirdness

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 2:30 pm
by mikehalloran
I would ask MOTU through a TechLink on their web site. I questions about my '90s MicroExpress last year and they got back in a few days.

Re: MIDI Express XT Weirdness

Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 8:47 pm
by davenpom
Actually, I did already and they weren't sure what was causing the issue with needing to rescan. That's why I came here :lol: They didn't recommend the battery either, but that turned out to solve at least one problem.