MIDI data recording erratically

[npatton]

I just inherited a Mac Pro Trashcan (running High Sierra). I am currently migrating my studio to it. Updated to DP 10 in the process (from 9.1). MIDI interface is MOTU MIDI Express XT.

Tried recording MIDI piano tracks and found the results were way off in rhythm. I disabled "snap-to-grid", but the data is coming into the piano roll incorrectly and rather randomly. Happens with VI pianos and hardware pianos. I have downloaded all the latest drivers for audio and MIDI. I've never had this problem before. I was just recently working in DP 9.1, High Sierra on a 2010 Mac Pro tower with no problems. I can't work until I figure this out.

Wondering if there is some other quantize feature I'm missing? Does NOT feel quantized, though. It simply seems to choke with a large number of rapid notes. Slower playing seems to yield better results, but I can't always play slow... And yes, I have powered everything off and on again with same results.

Thanks in advance for any ideas...

Neil

[Tidwells@aol.com]

Hey, Neil! Try changing the setting on "Sync Recorded MIDI to Patch Thru" in Preferences. That fixed timing problems for me recently. I think I had to turn it OFF, which is the opposite of what I expected....

Doug

[npatton]

Thanks, Doug! Unfortunately, that didn't do the trick.

However, I did some more messing around. I tried various keyboards going through my MIDI Express, and that all had the problem. But then I tried a MIDI controller (Axiom 49) going direct to the computer via USB, and the problem disappeared. So it seems to be an interface issue.

Not sure where to go from here. This interface has been a steady warrior for many years, and worked fine on the older Mac Pro last week. So something seems amiss in the change over. Any ideas welcome!

Neil

[Tidwells@aol.com]

If you haven't already done so, check the MOTU website to see if you have the latest driver for your MIDI Express. That is a MOTU device, isn't it?

Doug

[npatton]

Thanks again. Yes, I downloaded the latest drivers from MOTU and installed when I set up the new machine. I'm reading up on things and I'll see if something else might work. Stay tuned...

n

[npatton]

OK, so operator error. I had downloaded the driver that included my OS in the title. I just now installed the driver for 10.15. It worked and all seems to be well. I assumed it wouldn't work as I am still on 10.13.

Happy and relieved, and I can get to work tomorrow on some new music to inaugurate my new system!

Thanks again!
Yours,
n

[Tidwells@aol.com]

Awesome, Neil! It's a good feeling when you've fixed something! The "fixing process" can feel terrible, but success feels WONDERFUL! I suppose it's similar to the old writer's saying: "I hate songwriting, but I love HAVING WRITTEN songs"....The turning point for me came a couple of years ago when I found a way to start REALLY enjoying the songwriting process. The trick for me was to STOP writing whenever I came to a dead end, then come back later with a fresh frame of mind. I found it's AMAZING how a song can morph and became something different by working on it 10 or 20 minutes per day for a month or two! It's kind of like collaborating with many different "versions" of yourself, because you are in a slightly different mood and frame of mind each time you approach the song. Anyway, I am WAY off-topic....Too much spare time to reflect and "philosophize" (as Bill and Ted would say) with all this self-quarantining

Doug

[npatton]

Great thoughts! I love your statement: "It's kind of like collaborating with many different "versions" of yourself". I agree! I've been in a dry spell for a couple years, but I'm now finally working on a new album of piano music, and I'm also excited to work with some new VIs and try something new, as well.

Thanks again for the help!
Neil