USB Midi Interfaces/Sequencing problems

[Chuck Kirkpatri]

I know I am not the only one who has gone through this horror, and though the problem has been
somehow alleviated, I wonder if anyone else can elaborate on what caused this. About 18 months ago when I first began running Performer on my G4 using a MOTU MTP/AV (USB), I experienced some very strange things; freezes, crashes, outrageous timing errors, "hits" that were way ahead or behind where I played them. I simply could not sequence anything. I got no response from MOTU when I contacted them. I wrote to many different forums and finally got a response from a guy in Europe who said that USB wasn't ever going to work properly for MIDI and suggested that I buy one of his serial adaptor cards. Over the course of a few weeks (and after downloading some USB update for Harmon Kardon subwoofers from the MAC support site - why I d/l'd this I don't know) the problem suddenly went away. Another friend of mine with a G4 and MOTU had the same problem. His also mysteriously cleared itself up over time. I've yet to get any explanation for this. Anyone else experience this?

[Todd_the_Tech]

Hi Chuck,
I'd be interested to know more about your system, specifically the version of FreeMIDI you're using. I'm also curious about the operating system you're running on the G4, as well as what USB devices you have (aside from the MTPAV). Let me know the details.
(With exception to a few isolated problems with some 3rd party software) I've had no complaints about midi timing in DP since the release of FreeMIDI 1.4 .
The latest version is 1.46, and is available as a free download at www.motu.com. I'd also recommend using Mac OS 9.0.4, OS9.1 (or 9.2 if you have a quicksilver G4).
It is entirely possible that the the USB update for the Harmon/Kardon subs were conflicting with the MOTU USB driver. And updating the driver may have helped.

[Chuck Kirkpatri]

Todd: the problem I had seemed to start disappearing after the Harmon Kardon sub-woofer download! At the time, I was running OS9,which came with my G4 (sawtooth/AGP graphics). I also had no other USB devices connected. And I was using FreeMidi 1.46. As I said before, this problem slowly began clearing up by itself over the course of a week or two. A friend of mine in boca Raton experienced exactly the same problem and his also cleared up by itself. I cannot remember, but I may have also recommended that he download the same Harmon Kardon sub-woofer update, which seemed to be the turning point in things settling down and working correctly. I have to wonder if these MAC G4's are so sophisticated that they can somehow self-diagnose and correct problems like these on their own. SInce that time, I had gone to 9.01, then 9.04. Several months ago, I had some major system folder problems. The tech who worked on my G4 installed 9.1 (without asking me). Several days later, things went horribly askew. Crashes, freezes, you name it. I re-installed the original 9.0 and things settled down again. I tried to go back up to 9.04, but after the download, it would not un-stuff. I have since elected to stay with 9.0. "If it ain't broke..........".

[Todd_the_Tech]

Well, I definitely agree with the addage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
OS 9.0.4 is (in my opinion/experience) the most stable OS since 8.1. If you start to experience issues again, i'd suggest trying a fresh copy of the 9.0.4 updater.
I have to disagree with your acquaintance in Europe (who says Midi will never work with USB). We've had great success with USB Macs and MIDI. Admittedly, USB had it's growing pains at first.... just like any new technology. New operating systems and hardware drivers have always corrected the issues. My home system is a Sawtooth G4 running OS9.0.4, and a MOTU FastlaneUSB. I've never had so much as a hiccup in a year and a half. Every system is a little different. When you start adding USB drivers for various hardware, you add variables can make things unpredictable. My guess is that the MOTU USB driver and the Harmon/Kardon drivers "just didn't like each other".

[Chuck Kirkpatri]

Todd, just so you're clear on this, my problem began to clear up AFTER the Harmon-Kardon download. I don't know what-on-earth a subwoofer update would have to do with anything, but it was the turning point in solving my problem. I would love to get OS 9.04, but the three times I have tried to get it from MAC's update site, it would not un-stuff. Any clues?

[Todd_the_Tech]

If the Harmon/Kardon updater helped, the old Harmon/Kardon driver must have been conlflicting with the MOTU USB driver.
If you're having problems unstuffing the 9.0.4 updater, check Extensions Manager to see what version the Stuffit Engine is (make sure it's an active extension). You can update Stuffit at: http://www.aladdinsys.com/expander/expander_mac.html
See if that allows you to unstuff the update.