MIDI Express 128 stopped being recognized

[zekmoe]

Ok I probably shouldn’t have done it but I haven’t used the MIDI express 128 in a while, mostly playing with virtu synths. So I upgraded a few weeks ago( Mac mini, latest OS) and it stopped responding or being recognized. I downloaded what I think are the latest installer and drivers but no success.
Any suggestions? My primary need is to sent MIDI time code to drum machines, but have several and wanted them all connected.
Thanks

[mikehalloran]

TIhree things:

1) Your USB cable must support USB 2 (480KB/s). Many don’t including most Thunderbolt 3 cables. If in doubt, order up a USB Printer Cable — these only support USB 2, backwards compatible to USB 1.1 (older MOTU MIDI interfaces).

2) This is the correct driver.

Driver Supports
MOTU MIDI Installer
Mac v91217 | May 17, 2022
macOS 13, macOS 12, macOS 11

3) This needs to be done within 30 minutes of installing MOTU drivers on a Mac. You may have to reboot first. If you miss that window, reinstall the drivers and try again.

Unfortunately, this bulletin not accurate for Ventura but MOTU has not updated this. Probably best to call if still having problems.

https://motu.com/techsupport/technotes ... igh-sierra

[zekmoe]

Thanks, will order a new cable as I know the one I have is many years old and try again.

[mikehalloran]

Thanks, will order a new cable as I know the one I have is many years old and try again.

You don't say which Mini you have. Your MIDI Express has a USB-B port. Each of these cables comes in multiple lengths:

If you need a cable with USB-A on the other end…
https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-Ex ... ref=sr_1_3

If USB-C on the other end…
https://www.amazon.com/CableCreation-Pr ... ref=sr_1_3

[zmix]

I am experiencing the same problem here, except that I've been using a MIDI Express 128 and a Fastlane in my system for years, and suddenly they do not show up in AudioMIDI nor in Logic.

This happened recently in Monterey, but repeatedly installing the drivers fixed it, and yesterday I installed Ventura on a separate drive and I have no MOTU MIDI. The MOTU USB System Extension App Indicates that the correct driver is installed.

I have deleted the Audio MIDI preferences and re-scaned, still no MOTU MIDI.

In my case it is certainly not cables, same cables same USB3 hub, etc.

I've tried to manually uninstall any and all drivers (and the online instructions posted by MOTU and Sweetwater and others are bad! Not complete nor accurate in terms of where the drivers are stored between root and user folders!)

What's concerning is that when I locate and manually uninstall all drivers and preferences, re-boot, then re-install the installer says "update" when I select the driver to install - how? Update from what?

So frustrated at this sudden breakdown, I've swapped everything and still no change..

Can anyone help me ?

I'm moments away from just buying a iConnect class compliant MIDI interface..

[faneuil]

EXACTLY the same problem here after *upgrading* to Ventura.
MOTU needs to issue new drivers.
I tried reinstall of their lateest drivers and tried multiple OS privacy settings but no luck
Mac “sees” the Express 128 on USB hardware but OS doesn’t present it as MIDI device anymore.
Help!

[mikehalloran]

Did you reinstall the MOTU drivers? The security settings are in different places in Ventura. It would be nice if MOTU put out a different bulletin than the one for High Sierra–Monterey. It still needs to be run within 30 minutes of the driver install and sometimes a reboot after installation is necessary for it to show up.

My MTP AV USB works fine over Ventura on my iMac Pro.

How old is the battery? I change mine every 5–7 years.

[faneuil]

I bought a used ME128 -- which was working find pre Ventura.
Where are the security setting that you changed in Ventura?
Battery? The ME128?
thanks
eric

[mikehalloran]

Again, this has not been updated for Ventura but this is what has to be done within 30 minutes of installation. I recommend rebooting immediately after installing. Sometimes, you will get screen prompte—if so, don't ignore them.

https://motu.com/techsupport/technotes/ ... igh-sierra

Most MOTU MIDI devices have a CR2032 battery inside. The manual does not list it as it's not considered a "User Serviceable Part" There will be a couple screws holding the cover on. Remove them and you'll see the battery holder.

[faneuil]

crap - one screw stripped.. the other 2 came out fine!

[faneuil]

followup - got the screw out
Opened up the ME128 -- nope no battery inside
Eric

[philipk]

I'd like to resurrect this thread if I could. I'm having the same issue. I have a ME128 which was until recently working with my intel mac mini running macos 13.x (Ventura). The mini has recently been upgraded to the lastest Ventura release - I'm now at 13.6.6. And the ME128 is no longer visible to any software. That's Logic, Ableton, or Audio MIDI Setup. I do however see it in the system report for all things USB.

I've swapped out cables and tested to confirm no trouble there. I'm using a USB port in the computer itself - not using any hub. I have deleted and re-installed the driver (Mac v91217) a few times. After restarting (immediately post-install) I'm not seeing the new driver trip a "you must enable permission for this" message in Privacy and Security settings panel. It just appears to me as if the driver got broken by the OS upgrade.

I'd like to avoid spending the time to erase/re-install the OS and back up to an older release. i've been through that a few times recently and it's just VERY time consuming and it might cause trouble for all my other audio programs that are currently up to date and working.

I'm on a bit of a time crunch with an impending synth heavy session coming up - so I'm just here asking if there's anything else I should be trying before I give up on this previously reliable piece of gear and move to something different that can work out of box for me.

Thanks all!

[faneuil]

ME too! Just found my Motu 128 and would really like to be able to use it again!
Eric

[mikehalloran]

There are a number of issues but the MOTU MIDI driver is not one of them. The installer and Apple Security settings, OTOH are.

If your unit worked over Monterey, it will work over Ventura and Sonoma.

Whether your Mac is Intel or Apple Silicon makes a difference. Also, any audio or other MIDI drivers may need to be removed first—once you have your MIDI unit working, then you can reinstall other drivers.

Your security settings must be set to Reduced if Apple Silicon before installing the driver.

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-he ... 8f7291/mac

This bulletin has been updated for Ventura and Sonoma and this must be done within 30 minutes of installation.

https://motu.com/techsupport/technotes ... igh-sierra

If the above doesn’t do it, there are files that must be purged first. The list is found in a couple of other threads but I don’t have the time to search for that at the moment.

[philipk]

Thank you so much for your response. It's alive!

I was hoping to see that "system extension blocked from loading" message in the privacy and security panel in all my re-install attempts but it never showed. I went through a few threads recommend which files needed to be removed. I swear I tried everything but I obviously missed one at some point. The last list I used to finally make a difference was in this thread:

viewtopic.php?t=59902

Again, thank you!