Problem with rig! - Updated info from gig

[Steve Force]

.. How can one ensure that they get one with the correct keybed?

 

Ask?

[Tonysounds]

Besides, you'll find out quick enough while programming it. It'll be a couple weeks before you gig the Kronos at least, and even if the keybed is flaky, you can still do the programming work while waiting for antoher keybed, or a freshly arrived Kronos with the new bed (and then just transfer your work).

[Tonysounds]

.. How can one ensure that they get one with the correct keybed?

 

Ask?

 

 

Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha!

 

Like the guy at Guitar Center would know. ("Dude, it's an unsealed box, of course it's got a new keybed.")

[Charleston]

The manufacturer of that merger box specifically states that it doesn't work with those specific keyboards. They recommend using their inline power adapter.

[Charleston]

http://www.midisolutions.com/faqs.htm#Power

[Charleston]

http://www.midisolutions.com/prodpwr.htm

[Tonysounds]

Hey Chris, it's a long shot seeing as your Midi Solutions box has been working, but I do have a Quadra Merge AND a Power Supply at home. (I don't use them currently.) If you want, call me and you can come by tonite and take them.

[Moonglow]

The manufacturer of that merger box specifically states that it doesn't work with those specific keyboards. They recommend using their inline power adapter.

Thanks for the information, but it's worked flawlessly for the past 2-3 years....and as I mentioned earlier, the small red "power" LED on the Merger box lights up like a Christmas tree!

[Moonglow]

Hey Chris, it's a long shot seeing as your Midi Solutions box has been working, but I do have a Quadra Merge AND a Power Supply at home. (I don't use them currently.) If you want, call me and you can come by tonite and take them.

Thanks, T!

[stillplaying]

Moonglow (I see you're Chris from Tony's reply) - but feck me, I knew you were a clever educated man from your posts on here but I read your set-up on the first page of this thread - OMG. No. Just no. You haven't mentioned a keyboard tech - that's an awful set-up to have to go through to play some tunes.

 

For your sanity - I seriously hope you get a simpler rig soon.

[Al Coda]

A.C., you have my head spinning....but I like your thinking, that is, what I can grasp of it as of the moment. I will definitely explore that after this weekend's gig. Thanks a bunch for that suggestion.

 

Well,- if you´ll be into that re-configuration near future, don´t miss upgrading PC3 OS 1st, then read the chapter about "local keyboard channel" and everything about MIDI program changes as well as "entry/exit" values in Setup Mode in the PC3 Musicians Guide V2 5-27-11.

 

Also check for MIDI behaviour on the transmit and receive side of the NS88.

I´m not familiar w/ this instrument and don´t know is limitations.

 

It´s not only re-cabling of the MIDI and a Thru-Box, but the overall programing in addition.

 

The good side,- you´d be able to build/program, re-name & store to a different location your own basic MIDI controller SETUP in the PC3, later controlling everything,- and being different than the "126 Internal Voices" Setup which is primary for the PROGRAMS,- so don´t touch that or overwrite!

 

That will be necessary to re-direct incoming MIDI from NS88 to PC3 Zones playing internal sounds and MIDI zones playing sounds of the modules.

Local KBD channel on PC3, being set to ON, must match TX MIDI channel of NS88, this MIDI channel being re-channelized to ZONEs playing internal PC3 sounds and/or (both possible !) pass thru to MIDI Out playing external sounds.

 

In fact, creating a template SETUP in PC3 would be ideal.

Means: Zone count, MIDI channels and controller config. incl. entry/exit values for each Zone as well as AUX 1 & 2 FX being pre-programmed.

 

Once created, you can copy it for every new tune, re-name/store to different location,- and fill it w/ sounds and/or MIDI Prg.-Changes for the external modules for THAT tune, then level the sounds .

 

Don´t use too many ZONES playing internal programs in a Setup,- I´m fine w/ 7 at max.,- and take care of the FX usage for seamless switching of internal sounds.

Use AUX1 and AUX2 for delay and reverb FX in Setups and the insert FX for the special FX like modulation, wah, overdrive etc. and read about the AUX override feature because there are AUX FX being programmed in PROGRAMs already.

 

If you use KB3 mode double leslie, use only 1 ZONE in a SETUP for internal sound of PC3 and put it on MIDI Ch. 1 because double leslie eats all FX ressources.

But there´s the organ in NS88 too,- so no biggie.

 

I´m not sure if a Kronos would handle your external modules and a 2nd keyboard easier.

For sure, it doesn´t replace a Roland D550 because nothing replaces a D550 up to now,- no hardware and no software.

 

The only synth replacing D550 architecture is Tubeohm Vintage VSTi,- but they don´t have permission to use the original waveforms/samples/loops.

 

A.C.

 

 

[Moonglow]

Moonglow (I see you're Chris from Tony's reply) - but feck me, I knew you were a clever educated man from your posts on here but I read your set-up on the first page of this thread - OMG. No. Just no. You haven't mentioned a keyboard tech - that's an awful set-up to have to go through to play some tunes.

LOL!

 

As I stated earlier, I love my rig. I can program it to do whatever I need using sounds/patches I really dig. Some songs my band plays have 2-3 splits on both the PC3 and NS88.

 

The modules are distributed among two six-space, pre-wired racks. Average set-up time from my truck backing up to load-in door to sound check is 30 minutes (working steadily, if not a bit relaxed/slowly).

 

For your sanity - I seriously hope you get a simpler rig soon.

It could be argued that's been gone for some time now.....

 

 

[Moonglow]

Well,- if you´ll be into that re-configuration near future, don´t miss upgrading PC3 OS 1st, then read the chapter about "local keyboard channel" and everything about MIDI program changes as well as "entry/exit" values in Setup Mode in the PC3 Musicians Guide V2 5-27-11.

 

Also check for MIDI behaviour on the transmit and receive side of the NS88.

I´m not familiar w/ this instrument and don´t know is limitations.

 

It´s not only re-cabling of the MIDI and a Thru-Box, but the overall programing in addition.

 

The good side,- you´d be able to build/program, re-name & store to a different location your own basic MIDI controller SETUP in the PC3, later controlling everything,- and being different than the "126 Internal Voices" Setup which is primary for the PROGRAMS,- so don´t touch that or overwrite!

 

That will be necessary to re-direct incoming MIDI from NS88 to PC3 Zones playing internal sounds and MIDI zones playing sounds of the modules.

Local KBD channel on PC3, being set to ON, must match TX MIDI channel of NS88, this MIDI channel being re-channelized to ZONEs playing internal PC3 sounds and/or (both possible !) pass thru to MIDI Out playing external sounds.

 

In fact, creating a template SETUP in PC3 would be ideal.

Means: Zone count, MIDI channels and controller config. incl. entry/exit values for each Zone as well as AUX 1 & 2 FX being pre-programmed.

 

Once created, you can copy it for every new tune, re-name/store to different location,- and fill it w/ sounds and/or MIDI Prg.-Changes for the external modules for THAT tune, then level the sounds .

 

Don´t use too many ZONES playing internal programs in a Setup,- I´m fine w/ 7 at max.,- and take care of the FX usage for seamless switching of internal sounds.

Use AUX1 and AUX2 for delay and reverb FX in Setups and the insert FX for the special FX like modulation, wah, overdrive etc. and read about the AUX override feature because there are AUX FX being programmed in PROGRAMs already.

 

If you use KB3 mode double leslie, use only 1 ZONE in a SETUP for internal sound of PC3 and put it on MIDI Ch. 1 because double leslie eats all FX ressources.

But there´s the organ in NS88 too,- so no biggie.

 

I´m not sure if a Kronos would handle your external modules and a 2nd keyboard easier.

For sure, it doesn´t replace a Roland D550 because nothing replaces a D550 up to now,- no hardware and no software.

 

The only synth replacing D550 architecture is Tubeohm Vintage VSTi,- but they don´t have permission to use the original waveforms/samples/loops.

 

A.C.

Yeah, I love Setup mode, and thanks for the tips. I've never minded having a complex rig (been using one since the mid-1980's) and I look forward to trying out the new configuration.

 

I agree that nothing sounds like the D-550. I can't seem to lose it!

[EscapeRocks]

 

For your sanity - I seriously hope you get a simpler rig soon.

 

It could be argued that's been gone for some time now.....

 

 

Of course we are insane, Chris. Otherwise, we'd be harmonica or kazoo players. Easiest load in and setup

 

 

[Analogaddict]

I love using my PC3 and Kronos together. My old rack was a Fantom Xr, a Motif ESr, a Nord Modular G2 engine and a Receptor (and other modules that came and went), the Kronos has effortlessly replaced them all. If you must have D-550 sounds, the most space efficient way ought to be a Vari-Os with the D-50 card...

[Moonglow]

I followed as many of the (great) suggestions as I reasonably could before last night's gig. I moved the MIDI Out/Thru switch on the PC3 back and forth a few times, re-set all MIDI connections (per tonysounds procedure), and purchased three brand-new MIDI cables which I used for the following connections:

 

PC3 MIDI Out #1 -> NS 88 MIDI In

PC3 MIDI Out #2 -> Merger Box MIDI In

NS 88 MIDI Out -> Merger Box MIDI In

 

This way, if I experienced problems I could rule out the MIDI cables, although looking back I should have also replaced the cable running from the Merger Box Out -> TR-Rack MIDI In.

 

So I set up my rig (carefully checking all cable connections), turned everything on, and no sound was coming from either the PC3 and NS88 keybed! I scrolled through the Setups on the PC3, and all programs were changing among the keyboards/modules. So it appeared that at least some MIDI information was being transmitted.

 

We ran a CD player through my board, which played nicely through my monitor, so it wasn't an audio problem.

 

THEN, I simply unplugged and re-plugged the MIDI three cables at the end where they were connected to the keyboards, and everything worked just fine for the rest of the night! WTF?

 

So I'm starting to think this may be a MIDI jack problem, specifically, the jacks on the PC3. There is considerably more "play" in the MIDI jacks on the PC3 compared to the NS. My second hypothesis is that maybe the OS on the PC3 has become corrupted.

 

Any other ideas?

 

 

[Ashville.Guru]

You can measure/observe/experiment. Or you could solicit hypotheses from your friends. One route will certainly tell you where the problem is. The other just might. Your call, Doc... .

[Al Coda]

 

PC3 MIDI Out #1 -> NS 88 MIDI In

PC3 MIDI Out #2 -> Merger Box MIDI In

NS 88 MIDI Out -> Merger Box MIDI In

 

It seems, you love the merge box ...

 

THEN, I simply unplugged and re-plugged the MIDI three cables at the end where they were connected to the keyboards, and everything worked just fine for the rest of the night! WTF?

 

That sounds like gremlins in the rig

 

In real world, it could be, you created a MIDI loop and/or resulting MIDI buffer overflow somewhere.

 

So I'm starting to think this may be a MIDI jack problem, specifically, the jacks on the PC3. There is considerably more "play" in the MIDI jacks on the PC3 compared to the NS.

 

I doubt it is !

The MIDI plugs sit very tight in my PC361 and I doubt we find different MIDI connectors in the different PC3 models.

Anyway,- I use custom made MIDI cables w/ metal plugs,- but also many other standard cables in my rig,- so I doubt the cables cause the issue.

To make that evident,- I have a module in my rack which MIDI In port has so much "play" I had to fix the cable by a strap not to slip out,- but it has contact all the time because the pins of the plug go deep enough into the connector.

 

There´s also no reason the PC3 ran weird,- just because there´s nothing connected to it´s MIDI In in your setup mentioned above !

 

My second hypothesis is that maybe the OS on the PC3 has become corrupted.

 

Well,- theoretically this is a (rare?) option.

Me, personally, never ever recognized any corruption of the PC3 OS w/ my PC361 and I never had to use the panic button since 11-12 month now.

I updated the OS always and as soon a update was out,- and never had any issue.

 

Doesn´t mean others made different experiences,- but if I read horrible storys in regards of gear,- software or hardware,- most happens by user error.

 

Any other ideas?

 

Yep !

 

1.)

If you don´t have a gig now in the next days,- disconnect the rack(s) and make backups of all your NS88 and PC3 user patches.

Upgrade to PC3 OS 2.10 and investigate in MIDI issues or limitations of the NS88.

If there were any reported and been fixed by a OS update,- update NS88 too.

 

2.)

Eliminate the MIDI Merge Box for the time being.

 

3.)

Don´t use the PC3 MIDI Thru/Out 2

 

4.)

Connect a MIDI cable from NS88 MIDI Out to PC3 MIDI In and play the PC3 from NS88.

Take care MIDI channels match.

If that works,- try all your MIDI cables you plan to use for your rig.

 

5.)

Connect a MIDI cable from PC3 MIDI Out to NS88 MIDI In and play.

If that works,- try playing the NS88 from PC3 but on different MIDI channels because NS88 is multitimbral.

 

6.)

If that works,- try it the other way around,- playing different sounds allocated to different ZONEs and MIDI channels in SETUP Mode on PC3 from NS88 keyboard.

 

This is the occasion to create a special SETUP on PC3 for that purpose, later being the new/YOUR Control-SETUP for YOUR rig.

You can go deeper into the MIDI programming later for the racks,- for now, just figure it out for perfect interaction of NS88 and PC3 !

 

As a result, you should be able to play any patch/MIDI channel on NS88 from PC3 and vice versa making a flexible 2 keyboard rig where the PC3 is your MIDI merger/MIDI channel matrix and program changer !

If you run into any probs while doing these steps above,- consider MIDI programming issues already for the usage of this 2 keyboards in this configuration and re-think your settings until it works.

 

7.)

If that works,- buy a MIDI Thru Box (1 In / 4 Out),- active powered !

 

Connect a MIDI cable from PC3 MIDI Out (!!!) to the MIDI Thru Box MIDI In.

Connect ONE module to one of the MIDI Outs of the Thru Box, set up the desired MIDI channel and a patch and play it from either of the 2 keyboards.

If that works, repeat for all the other modules in the racks.

 

During this procedure,- you alter your PC3 setup,- setting up additional Zones for outgoing MIDI from PC3 to the MIDI-Thru Box/Rack(s), setting up the correct MIDI channels for the modules,- and you also start using NS88 playing the modules THROUGH PC3 this way.

If you can play everything from everywhere, programming of splits/layers, MIDI Prg.-Changes and MIDI-Controllers comes in addition later.

 

You don´t need a MIDI Merge Box for your rig w/ NS88, PC3 and 4 ext. MIDI modules,- promised !

Swap the Merger for a Thru-Box and learn how to pass NS88 MIDI Out through PC3 to the rack(s) and/or playing PC3-Zones in a Setup plus dedicated module(s) in rack(s) from NS88 while using NS88 internal patches and PC3 internal patches played local in addition.

All is possible and it´s very flexible.

 

A.C.

[MoodyBluesKeys]

If you have a few days before the next gig - update the PC3 OS, which is useful anyhow for the added features/bugfixes and will help rule out OS problems.

 

A jack problem is possible. ALL of today's electronics are soldered using wave soldering with zero-lead solder, which has to be hotter, and does not cover as well.

 

A third alternative - you may have powered on the different devices in a different order on the second try. Even if you did not power off, there was still the loss of connectivity followed by the restoration of connectivity. This is not a high probability, but is still a valid possibility.

 

Since program information wsa being transmitted, the physical MIDI connections are the same ones that carry note on/note off messages. Only three of the 5 pins are used - 1&3 which are the outside ones are not used by MIDI. #2 - the center pin is used for the common ground connection, #4 is the current source, #5 is the current sink.

 

Note that MIDI is a current-operated protocol - if the current source is not supplying enough current, either complete failure or partial failure (when it is right at the threshold) will occur. So, if a sending device is not providing enough current, or if something is leaching away part of the current - the receiving device will be either eratic or inoperative.

 

My first step in testing would be to use each keyboard individually as a source feeding ONE receiving device. Play said keyboard while moving (or having someone else move) the MIDI cables a bit - see if the receiving device drops out at any time. Then alternate, use the other keyboard as a source, and test the first in the receiving end. If all goes well here, add ONE additional device at a time, each time repeating the movement of the physical cables. Incrementally is the only way to track down this sort of thing.

 

From the earlier caomment about the MIDI Solutions box needing a power supply - it is possible that the available current is on the threshold of its operation.

 

Finally - before all the troubleshooting time involved above, consider Al Coda's suggestion on the rewiring of the system. Seems to me that would give overall more reliable operation. The LEAST number of devices that can be in the signal path, the least liklihood of failure of the whole chain.

 

[Al Coda]

If you have a few days ...

 

All your comments above confirmed !

 

According to the failure of MIDI cables and/or physical connectors:

MIDI is hot plug and there´s the MIDI active sensing for this case.

In a proper working MIDI rig, a broken connection or cable will be recognized like a accidently unplugged cable resulting in voices shut down, not confusing the gear.

Hearing nothing from a 2 multitimbral keys/ 4 modules rig shouldn´t happen,- unless and in HIS rig as described,- the MIDI connection between the merge box MIDI out > XYZ and the MIDI Out 1 of the PC3 fail simultaneously,- which would be a rare case IMO.

PC3 MIDI Out 1 runs directly to NS88 MIDI In,- so that must be audible even the merge box fails !

 

From the earlier caomment about the MIDI Solutions box needing a power supply - it is possible that the available current is on the threshold of its operation.

 

That´s why I´d make it obsolete !

I never use mergers between controller keyboards and tone modules,- I use these only between tone modules MIDI outputs and MIDI matrix switchers input(s) to save inputs,- and I use ´em only for sysex dumps out of tone modules to a storage device/computer connected to a/the matrix switcher(s), a proceedure done w/ one module at a time,- normally.

The only advantage is,- it´s pre-wired.

I´ve seen MIDI buffer overflow w/ mergers when using much controller data.

They handle the basic data pretty good but it´s no guarantee.

I also don´t know what´s being send out continuously from his rig w/ NS88 and PC3 both connected to the merger and there is the fact both MIDI Outs of PC3 carry the same MIDI info.

 

Finally - before all the troubleshooting time involved above, consider Al Coda's suggestion on the rewiring of the system. Seems to me that would give overall more reliable operation. The LEAST number of devices that can be in the signal path, the least liklihood of failure of the whole chain.

 

Thanks, MBK,- not only more reliable,- more flexible too (as you know as a PC3 user for sure).

With the PC3 and the NS88 alone he can do so much stuff if these are interconnected MIDI and not only one direction MIDI controllers.

 

A.C.

[Moonglow]

 

PC3 MIDI Out #1 -> NS 88 MIDI In

PC3 MIDI Out #2 -> Merger Box MIDI In

NS 88 MIDI Out -> Merger Box MIDI In

 

It seems, you love the merge box ...

 

THEN, I simply unplugged and re-plugged the MIDI three cables at the end where they were connected to the keyboards, and everything worked just fine for the rest of the night! WTF?

 

That sounds like gremlins in the rig

 

In real world, it could be, you created a MIDI loop and/or resulting MIDI buffer overflow somewhere.

 

So I'm starting to think this may be a MIDI jack problem, specifically, the jacks on the PC3. There is considerably more "play" in the MIDI jacks on the PC3 compared to the NS.

 

I doubt it is !

The MIDI plugs sit very tight in my PC361 and I doubt we find different MIDI connectors in the different PC3 models.

Anyway,- I use custom made MIDI cables w/ metal plugs,- but also many other standard cables in my rig,- so I doubt the cables cause the issue.

To make that evident,- I have a module in my rack which MIDI In port has so much "play" I had to fix the cable by a strap not to slip out,- but it has contact all the time because the pins of the plug go deep enough into the connector.

 

There´s also no reason the PC3 ran weird,- just because there´s nothing connected to it´s MIDI In in your setup mentioned above !

 

My second hypothesis is that maybe the OS on the PC3 has become corrupted.

 

Well,- theoretically this is a (rare?) option.

Me, personally, never ever recognized any corruption of the PC3 OS w/ my PC361 and I never had to use the panic button since 11-12 month now.

I updated the OS always and as soon a update was out,- and never had any issue.

 

Doesn´t mean others made different experiences,- but if I read horrible storys in regards of gear,- software or hardware,- most happens by user error.

 

Any other ideas?

 

Yep !

 

1.)

If you don´t have a gig now in the next days,- disconnect the rack(s) and make backups of all your NS88 and PC3 user patches.

Upgrade to PC3 OS 2.10 and investigate in MIDI issues or limitations of the NS88.

If there were any reported and been fixed by a OS update,- update NS88 too.

 

2.)

Eliminate the MIDI Merge Box for the time being.

 

3.)

Don´t use the PC3 MIDI Thru/Out 2

 

4.)

Connect a MIDI cable from NS88 MIDI Out to PC3 MIDI In and play the PC3 from NS88.

Take care MIDI channels match.

If that works,- try all your MIDI cables you plan to use for your rig.

 

5.)

Connect a MIDI cable from PC3 MIDI Out to NS88 MIDI In and play.

If that works,- try playing the NS88 from PC3 but on different MIDI channels because NS88 is multitimbral.

 

6.)

If that works,- try it the other way around,- playing different sounds allocated to different ZONEs and MIDI channels in SETUP Mode on PC3 from NS88 keyboard.

 

This is the occasion to create a special SETUP on PC3 for that purpose, later being the new/YOUR Control-SETUP for YOUR rig.

You can go deeper into the MIDI programming later for the racks,- for now, just figure it out for perfect interaction of NS88 and PC3 !

 

As a result, you should be able to play any patch/MIDI channel on NS88 from PC3 and vice versa making a flexible 2 keyboard rig where the PC3 is your MIDI merger/MIDI channel matrix and program changer !

If you run into any probs while doing these steps above,- consider MIDI programming issues already for the usage of this 2 keyboards in this configuration and re-think your settings until it works.

 

7.)

If that works,- buy a MIDI Thru Box (1 In / 4 Out),- active powered !

 

Connect a MIDI cable from PC3 MIDI Out (!!!) to the MIDI Thru Box MIDI In.

Connect ONE module to one of the MIDI Outs of the Thru Box, set up the desired MIDI channel and a patch and play it from either of the 2 keyboards.

If that works, repeat for all the other modules in the racks.

 

During this procedure,- you alter your PC3 setup,- setting up additional Zones for outgoing MIDI from PC3 to the MIDI-Thru Box/Rack(s), setting up the correct MIDI channels for the modules,- and you also start using NS88 playing the modules THROUGH PC3 this way.

If you can play everything from everywhere, programming of splits/layers, MIDI Prg.-Changes and MIDI-Controllers comes in addition later.

 

You don´t need a MIDI Merge Box for your rig w/ NS88, PC3 and 4 ext. MIDI modules,- promised !

Swap the Merger for a Thru-Box and learn how to pass NS88 MIDI Out through PC3 to the rack(s) and/or playing PC3-Zones in a Setup plus dedicated module(s) in rack(s) from NS88 while using NS88 internal patches and PC3 internal patches played local in addition.

All is possible and it´s very flexible.

 

A.C.

I would have removed the MIDI merger before last night's gig, but I did not have enough time to experiment and re-program things.

 

I will follow the above steps, explicitly! Very sequential, logical procedure. Once again, many thanks!

[Moonglow]

If you have a few days before the next gig - update the PC3 OS, which is useful anyhow for the added features/bugfixes and will help rule out OS problems.

 

A jack problem is possible. ALL of today's electronics are soldered using wave soldering with zero-lead solder, which has to be hotter, and does not cover as well.

 

A third alternative - you may have powered on the different devices in a different order on the second try. Even if you did not power off, there was still the loss of connectivity followed by the restoration of connectivity. This is not a high probability, but is still a valid possibility.

 

Since program information wsa being transmitted, the physical MIDI connections are the same ones that carry note on/note off messages. Only three of the 5 pins are used - 1&3 which are the outside ones are not used by MIDI. #2 - the center pin is used for the common ground connection, #4 is the current source, #5 is the current sink.

 

Note that MIDI is a current-operated protocol - if the current source is not supplying enough current, either complete failure or partial failure (when it is right at the threshold) will occur. So, if a sending device is not providing enough current, or if something is leaching away part of the current - the receiving device will be either eratic or inoperative.

 

My first step in testing would be to use each keyboard individually as a source feeding ONE receiving device. Play said keyboard while moving (or having someone else move) the MIDI cables a bit - see if the receiving device drops out at any time. Then alternate, use the other keyboard as a source, and test the first in the receiving end. If all goes well here, add ONE additional device at a time, each time repeating the movement of the physical cables. Incrementally is the only way to track down this sort of thing.

 

From the earlier caomment about the MIDI Solutions box needing a power supply - it is possible that the available current is on the threshold of its operation.

 

Finally - before all the troubleshooting time involved above, consider Al Coda's suggestion on the rewiring of the system. Seems to me that would give overall more reliable operation. The LEAST number of devices that can be in the signal path, the least liklihood of failure of the whole chain.

Hey thanks, MBK! I did not power off anything, I simply unplugged and re-plugged the MIDI connections at the PC3 and NS88 keyboards. I will try your trouble-shooting procedure to test the MIDI jacks. In fact, I have printed the recommendations you and A.C. have set forth to have "in hand" when I start re-configuring things. In any event, I am done with the MIDI merger!

 

You guys are awesome!

[Al Coda]

In fact, I have printed the recommendations you and A.C. have set forth to have "in hand" when I start re-configuring things.

 

 

That was the idea !

 

In any event, I am done with the MIDI merger!

 

Stop !

The Midisolutions mergers are good tools,- so keep it in stock for other occasions.

I have 2 of these too just to have ´em at hand if needed.

It simply can be, it doesn´t work w/ THIS, your actual wired setup, the way you want.

 

It´s just only the PC3 flexibility which makes the merger obsolete by MIDI wireing NS88 into PC3 MIDI In,- means 1 piece of gearless being a potential source of errors.

 

There are powered MIDI Thru boxes from Phil Rees, working w/ batteries and DC PSU alternately.

http://www.philrees.co.uk/products/thruunit.htm

Might bea solution if you don´t want to deal w/ more walwarts in the rig during gigs.

 

good luck w/ your rig !

 

A.C.