Resources

Home
Tutorials
Software Projects
Project Studio
Contact The Staff
Admin

Music Technology Lab
"I love the MuseLab" -Euterpe, muse of music


Tutorial XI: MIDI Debugging

Home | Tutorials

It doesn't work! Help! Here are some steps to follow.
  1. Determine whether the problem is MIDI or Audio.
    1. Look on the K2500. Beneath the directional arrows it says "MIDI" and has a small red light beneath it.
    2. If you play the keyboard and the red light flashes, that means the MIDI is hooked up correctly and the problem lies within the audio chain. Going through the procedures in step 2: Basics should solve it.
    3. If the red light does not flash, then the problem is MIDI and you will probably have to venture into the troubleshooting for the individual program (Steps 3-6)
  2. Basics - Make sure you try these if you're not getting any sound:
    1. Make sure all MIDI equipment has been turned on before opening the program
      1. If you didn't, the MIDI software may not have recognized the equipment.
      2. Quit the application you're using, turn on the MIDI devices, and restart the application.
    2. Check your Mackie Mixing Console to see if the appropriate levels are set.
      1. For MIDI applications like Finale and Practica Musica, you should be receiving sound from the K2500 , so make sure ch 1&2 are turned up. Ch 1&2 are left and right, respectively.
      2. Make sure the Aux dials are set appropriately. The Aux dials are the red dials at the top of the Mackie console).
        1. Aux 1 should be turned up for all left channels
        2. Aux 2 should be turned up for all right channels
      3. Make sure that "1 Acoustic Piano" is selected and not "0 none" on the K2500 screen. Use the up and down arrows or type "1" and then "Enter" on the K2500.
      4. If you're trying to get sound like digital audio, a CD, or using an application like SoundMaker or SoundHack, Mac Sound comes from ch 15&16. Make sure they are turned up to unity.
      5. If you're sending sound out somewhere (main rack for instance), make sure the sub faders are up.
      6. Make sure none of the solo/mute buttons (located above every fader) are clicked down.
      7. Make sure the computer itself is not muted. Press the volume up button (third from the top right on your Mac keyboard, a speaker with three lines coming out of it) and see if that does anything.
    3. Make sure the volume to your headphones jack is turned up.
    4. Reset the K2500 module: on the bottom of the K2500 screen is a list of 6 options. Third in the from the left after "Octav+" is "Panic." Hit the button directly below Panic to reset the K2500.
  3. Finale
    1. Select "MIDI Setup..." from the MIDI menu.
    2. The screen should look like this:


      1. In the MIDI System menu, Open Music System should be selected.
      2. Finale channels 1-16: Output: K2500 Input: Studio 90
      3. Click on "OMS MIDI Setup..." and the screen should appear like the one on the left, below:



    3. Select "MIDI thru..." from the MIDI menu. It should have a check next it. It should appear like the image on the above, right.
    4. If you have followed all these steps and have gone through the basics and there is still no sound, contact mmccabe@richmond.edu or ask a lab assistant.
  4. Practica Musica
    1. Select Options > Sound options > Sound and MIDI settings...
    2. Make sure "Direct from OMS" is selected under MIDI input.



    3. Under MIDI input, click on Choose OMS input.
    4. Scroll down until you see 'Studio 90.'
      5. Make sure that box is checked.


    5. Click OK, then OK again.
    6. Try the keyboard. If this still does not work, close PM and restart.
    7. If you have followed all these steps and have gone through the step 1 basics and there is still no sound, contact mmccabe@richmond.edu or ask a lab assistant.
  5. Digital Performer 3.0
    1. Check to see if the record button is clicked next to the track you are working on. It must be on if you are to hear what you are playing.
    2. Select "MIDI patch through..." from the "Basics" menu. (Make sure it is checked)
      3. It should appear like this:


    3. Make sure an instrument is selected on the K2500. If you are using DP3 from Station 6, please look above to reference other troubleshooting ideas.
  6. Station 6
    1. One of the most common causes of not receiving sound is simply because the volume isn't up or the unit isn't on.
    2. Follow all the steps in Basics.
    3. Make sure the mini rack is on.
    4. On the left side of every unit right near the headphones jack, there is a volume knob.
    5. Make sure that these knobs are turned up.
    6. Make sure the appropriate faders on station 6's mixing console are turned up.