SX3 and arranger keyboard midi issues

[JerryC]

Hi guys - feeling a bit embarassed having to ask as I'm sure the answer is going to be something really obvious, but have only just moved up to SX3 from VST (if it ain't broke don't fix it and all that) and can't seem to sort out a really weird timing issue.

I'm using a workstation 'arranger' keyboard (Roland E80/G70) to lay down basic guide tracks and then edit the parts (have worked this way for a very long time and find it suits me - I run a fairly succesful song demo production service for non-singing/playing songwriters/lyricists).

Okay, here's the problem. I record (MIDI) the song on the keyboard's onboard sequencer and then export it to the PC as a regular .mid file.

But when SX3 plays back (to the same keyboard) there are all kinds of weird stutters and timing errors. Having looked at some previous similar threads on here, I have checked the obvious things like ensuring that the keyboard is set to local off. Also tried disabling MIDI thru in SX3 all to no avail.

Strangely there is no such problem when using the same file (to play the same keyboard) when using windows' media player or even Cubase LE.

Any help would be really really appreciated.

Gear: Intel Quad Core 2.4GHz, M-Audio NRV10 firewire interface, SX3, Reason 4, Korg i2, Roland E80, ART MP Gold, Rode NT1000

[richiebee]

Check that there aren't a whole bunch of controller messages that are getting sent by your workstation. MIDI can only carry so much information at a time, so when it is bombarded by useless controller information (masses of after touch messages, or something like), timing will suffer.

If its the case you can clean up in the grid editor, or the key editor for that matter.

It could be that WMP doesn't have a problem with the messages because it doesn't transmit them... this is pure guessing on my part, I have no idea.

R.

[JerryC]

Just checked list editor and identical info being sent by SX and LE - yet the problem is only with SX. Also there is no vast amount of data, just 8 fairly basic tracks with occasional sysex and cc bits.

[tacman7]

This doesn't sound like the timestamp thing but you might want to check it anyway. In SX3 somewhere in there in the midi configuration (lot of help right?) is a check box - Use system timestamp. Check it. That would make the stuff you record play back about 50ms late if I remember.

So you imported a .mid file into cubase? or your playing a .mid file on the keyboard?
You tried importing the .mid file that VST recorded into cubase.
Can't think of what this would be...

Your audio is working good in SX?

[JerryC]

Just to clarify. Audio is working perfectly on all 10 tracks in and out. The .mid file was recorded on the internal sequencer of the workstation and then transfered to the PC. I have also tried recording direfctly it on cubase as the file plays on the internal keyboards sequencer - but when playing back from SX3 the result is the same - there is a bit of a hiccup in the first second or so, then all seems well until about the third of fourth bar when, it seems to me, some of the events seem to be happening early rather than late. It's most weird. This weird 'stuttering' then happens intermittently (about every third or fourth bar or so) throughout the song, and renders it useless.

As I said, what makes it even weirder is that I have a copy of Cubase LE which plays it perfectly (BOTH versions - the one recorded in Cubase AND the one created on the workstation in the first place, though of course, technically they are (or should be) identical files.

The mystery continues. It's a bit of a swine because it means that while I can edit in LE, it means I will have to commit it to audio before I can continue with the vocals etc in SX, and I prefer to keep it in MIDI until just before final mix, so that I can make any last tweaks.

[richiebee]

Where's the SYSEX? Before the music or during it? If its during, move it out of the way. SYSEX was not designed to be transmitted during performance.

[JerryC]

The occasional lines of sysex (16 - a line for each MIDI channel) are mostly at the very start, but I think you may be onto something, as the next batch comes at the start of the fifth bar (where the intro of the auto-arranger ends and the 'regular' pattern begins) and this is where the next hiccup seems to be happening too.

Though if this is the case, why doesn't it happen on LE?

Perhaps more importantly, how can I disable sysex info from being sent from SX without actually deleting the events. I have done it before (in VST) but can't remember how - and don't think I can face reading any more of the online manual!

Thanks for your patience.

[JerryC]

Hi guys - all fixed. It was the sysex (thanks RichieBee). Turned off the send sysex, (found it when I was looking for the MIDI filters) and now everything hunkydory. Thanks for your help guys, saved from throwing myself off a bridge!!

[smpzpirate]

Originally Posted by JerryC

Hi guys - all fixed. It was the sysex (thanks RichieBee). Turned off the send sysex, (found it when I was looking for the MIDI filters) and now everything hunkydory. Thanks for your help guys, saved from throwing myself off a bridge!!

Hi, Having similar issue with my yamaha arranger. Where did you switch off the sysex send please, in cubase or when you record it into software which I assume would be on your keyboard? Perhaps you could send me the settings you changed ;0)

Cheers ;0)