Messenger - Total Fail - Midi Clocking, DAW Integration & Reliability

The Moog Forum Moog Messenger
22

I don’t understand why I’m having the opposite problem of everyone else.

Just for a bit of context, I got a very early model. The store literally got it when it was first released and never took it out of the shipping box it came in.

When I booted it up, it was missing almost all of the presets. Only bank 1 had any. Apparently there’s supposed to be a lot more? I read online that the early releases had this problem. I don’t really care about that; it just confirms I have an early model.

But here’s what I came here to talk about: I’m having time syncing issues, but they’re the OPPOSITE of what everyone describes. The arpeggiator and timing works fine; it syncs right up to Ableton. Yes it’s delayed, but anything coming into my interface is delayed. I can easily crop it out, no big deal.

The one thing I cannot get to work no matter what is the LFO 1 Rate sync. No matter where I turn that knob, it is on some time interval that makes no sense. It’s not even that the ends of the waveform of the LFO don’t line up with a beat division (though that’s a problem too, I suppose): I cannot even get a division I search for. If I want a square wave that does quarter notes, NO position gives me it; they are all either too fast or too slow. I have tapped that knob with the lightest of taps when it is too slow, and it becomes too fast.

I’ve updated firmware, no help.

The one CONFIG setting I was hoping would help I can’t even tough because something seems wrong with it. Either the manual is wrong or it’s defective. The MIDI Clock Setting (Page 3 Option 3): the manual says “PGM 1 = Respect Start/Stop (lit) Ignore Start/Stop (unlit)“. Well, PGM 1 AND 2 are lit! This makes me think it’s a completely different setting, so I don’t even know what I’m editing.

EDIT: I actually tested it and I cann’t even get LFO 1 to sync to the Messenger’s OWN clock. No matter what I do, LFO 1 is at a rate that is NOT synced with any tempo, no matter what division.

The frustrating thing is not being able to find any examples of anyone describing an issue with the LFO 1 rate syncing; it’s everything else syncing that people have issues with. Not to mention I can’t find anyone else with the setting issue.

Before I go through the whole process, here, does anyone else have the specific LFO issue?

1 Like
23

I dont recall if I had this issue with LFO Rate Sync. Because I couldn’t get midi to clock properly in any reliable way I would assume that anything the Messenger is trying to “Sync” would probably be unstable as well, including LFO Rate. Sorry you’re having trouble.

24

I just posted about this. Exact same thing. My model came with barely any presets too. I then updated the firmware and that gave me the presets.

The one Config setting you were hoping to fix is exactly where I landed and I found the exact same issue - PGM 1 and 2 are both lit. I have no idea what I am editing here either. I am trying to get the arp and sequencer to start and stop with my main sequencer and play in time. Everything else seems to be working fine. Maybe it doesnt work that way and you have to just press the play button manually to get the arp to start? I don’t know, I can’t figure this out.

25

I fixed it. This is what worked for me. There is a forced firmware update mode you have to use. Hopefully it stays this way. Everything is now in sync.

1. Force‑reinstall the latest firmware
Follow this exactly:

  1. Download the latest Messenger firmware from the Messenger Downloadspage.

  2. Connect Messenger to your computer via USB‑C directly (no hub, try a good cable).

  3. Power off Messenger.

  4. Hold PITCH and AMP (bottom‑left buttons) and keep holding them while powering on – this forces firmware update mode.

  5. Run the firmware updater app (macOS .dmg or Windows .exe) and follow the on‑screen steps.

  6. If it says “device not responding” after sending, unplug/re‑plug USB and run it again as prompted.

Then retest: DIN MIDI IN set to DIN, Octatrack sending clock, change BPM and see if Messenger follows.

2 Likes
26

Just to follow up here. There are zero issues with the Moog Subsequent 37. I have no problems at all with sync using either DIN, USB or both with the Sub37. The editor and plugin work beautifully. Some serious attention is needed for the Messenger.

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27

Don’t think it’s sloppy just difficult to program

What are the steps to use it as an external clock to a slave

1 Like