MPC XL & Live III / Midi hanging over DIN- Midi-Jack

Hi everyone, I'm having a problem with the 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors. I bought an MPC XL and an MPC Live III. When I play the MPC plugins via MIDI (not USB MIDI), the sound from both MPCs freezes, like a MIDI loop. But only this one cable is connected. Nothing is being sent back to cause a loop. I've tested the plugins with the following devices: Roland Jupiter XM, Roland Gaia, and Yamaha Genos 2. As soon as I press a key, the sound freezes until I press the key again. Chords don't work—only mono notes. Strange. I initially thought the XL was broken, but since the same thing happened with the Live III, it seems odd. I've also tried disabling everything possible on the sending devices, e.g., MIDI sync, sending exclusive data, etc., without success. There were no problems with a Korg MicroKorg, nor with a regular MIDI keyboard. I can't imagine that both devices are defective. Everything works perfectly with USB-MIDI, regardless of the device. Perhaps someone has had a similar experience. I'd rather not return the devices, as I really like them both. What do you think? Could it be a bug? Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post and ask for help. I wish you all the best. Kind regards from Germany

Andy

Hi, Thank you for your reply.
Almost the factory settings on both. But Firmware 3.7.1. Maybe a Bug in the FW - I hope…
I testet too with a Little Phatty- no Problems and a Moog Muse: there are Problems

Hi Andy, I have exactly the same issue with my Live3. In my case I have noticed it with a Jupiter X and Nord Stage 3. If you check the MIDI monitor you will recognize that only a note on command is received but no note off. USB MIDI works fine with both synths. To me this looks like a MPC bug which hopefully will get fixed in due time.

Yes, I reported same thing months ago with Live 3 - strange thing is it's only with some midi devices - so some work (DIN in), such as Akai MPC Key 37 and some have hanging notes (Roland fantom, SY-99 were a couple I tried) - I reported this to akai and after thinking for a while, they confirmed it was a 'firmware' issue - I hope it is and not a hardware issue. My suspcion is that it relates either to running status or use of zero-veolcity-note-on-used-as-note-off, which can differ in implementation in different manducaturers/models etc - hence the 'works with some, not others' - the workaround, which isn't very satisfactory, is to use the USB to connect a keyboard (or midi interface). It's annoying it's not fixed - this has been an issues since the Live 3 was release.

I think they should highlight that this is an issue - it sounds like you wasted a lot of your time chasing this issue, as did I - it's a pretty major issue IMHO and should be fixed as a priority, but failing that, should clearly signpost that it is an issue to prevent us all wasting time chasing silly (but major) problems like this.

in fact they did list it in 3.7.1 release notes - but still not very clear/prominent IMHO:
https://cdn.inmusicbrands.com/Software/ ... 0Notes.pdf

I reported this to Akai some time ago and they tried to gaslight me into believing the problem was not the firmware implementation and/or hardware. I demonstrated the issue using a Live III. Since some hardware worked properly and some didn’t, it had to be the other device’s problem. Glad that they stopped trying to kick the can down the road.

Known issue list:

Running status can cause certain third-party keyboards to have stuck notes when usingMIDI DIN jacks

Sounds pretty self explanatory to me

If the USB transmission works ok why bother with the MIDI/Din sockets anyway

I have all my midi gear connected via the Din outs that don’t use USB connection but my main input keyboard for playing controlling the MPC is USB connected only never had any issues and I’m running current firmware


If it’s a known issue then clearly Akai will address it with an update in the meantime stick with the USB cable if you can


I wonder if the newer hardware synths MIDI din issues has anything to do with being compatible with the newer midi 2.0 protocol therefore the way they handle realtime messages are faster especially with running status and maybe the the MPC doesn’t communicate fast enough with auto sensing correctly hence the hanging notes.

Interesting theory but the DIN MIDI ports are getting tripped up on MIDI 1.0 boards of 40+ years of age and 4 years of age. Whatever is going on has little to do with MIDI 2.0 implementation on external boards.

I can’t speak for the Live 3 DIN MIDI implementation but Akai has deviated from the MIDI standard somewhat on the MPC Key 61 with its DIN MIDI port by not having the output port powered. I don’t know what creative license they have taken on the Live 3 and XL ports.

The reason to bother with DIN MIDI is because that’s the only MIDI some equipment has. Seem simple enough.

This is a confirmed issue with Akai. I mentioned it here back in February - I cannot send notes to the MPC Live III via MIDI DIN without weird shit happening. This is like buying a car and only having one of three windows roll down...but only halfway...in the back on the passenger side.

viewtopic.php?p=1900943#p1900943

Hello and thank you to everyone who participated in an interesting exchange of ideas here. Thank you. Since the topic is already known to Akai, I think it will also be resolved soon. I have complete confidence in Akai here. And now that I'm sure my devices aren't defective, I'll keep them. Thank you all again - Andy

Only because I just hit a similar issue myself and should've known better... have you tried checking to see if you have aftertouch data in your midi tracks... or going to preferences -> sequencer and disabling aftertouch?

Aftertouch can cause a lot of issues for external devices, especially since it can create a *lot* of midi data... my Access Virus was working weird and seeming to have mysterious cc changes when there was no midi data... and once I scrubbed the aftertouch data out/disabled it... it's *much* happier