Weird MIDI behavior w/LP and Novation Remote SL

umami · Post by **umami** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:49 pm

I have a LP Stage I (SE00087) running MIDI In/Out through my Novation Remote 25SL, which is then connected to my laptop via USB. I noticed some odd behavior with the LP recently, which I just confirmed is somehow related to the connection between the LP and the SL: When I'm in a patch (Stage II preset patch #25: Blowout Bass is a good one to try this with) and I roll the LH Mod wheel quickly up and down for a few seconds while playing a few notes, a random selection of LEDs on the LP will blink and change position, after which every patch on the LP sounds very quiet, if I get any sound at all. I have to cycle the power on the LP to get it back to normal.

When MIDI in from the SL to the LP is disconnected, this does not happen, which implies some kind of feedback issue from the SL. Hoping someone else with a Novation Remote SL can check for this behavior? Guess maybe I'll get that Stage II field upgrade after all. This would be disastrous on stage.

Subtronik · Post by **Subtronik** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:29 am

Sounds like MIDI feedback. I had an LP die due to this. I've read that you have to set the channels up differently for both in and out, but it didn't solve the problem for me as the replacement LP started doing the same thing. Some MIDI devices don't play nice with the LP it seems.

Squid Tempest · Post by **Squid Tempest** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 8:19 am

I've had similar problems with other (non-Moog) synths. I now either only connect a MIDI out or a MIDI in, not both at the same time, or, where I can, only enable a transmit or receive MIDI channel when I need it (so that I don't transmit & receive at the same time). A bit of a faff, but it saves hassle in the long run.

umami · Post by **umami** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:50 pm

Subtronik wrote:I had an LP die due to this.

Can you elaborate on that? Did the MIDI feedback cause damage to your LP?

Subtronik · Post by **Subtronik** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 7:18 pm

It caused a feedback loop that it didn't recover from no matter what a tech had me do, power cycling, OS reinstall, etc. It had weird text in the display and the only sound I got from it was noise. It was promptly replaced by Sweetwater, then the new one started doing the same thing so I never plugged both MIDI in and out at the same time again.

This was all while using ACID Pro as a controller, so it's probably a compatibility issue between AP and the LP.

umami · Post by **umami** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 7:25 pm

Head-scratching indeed. I think I'll try this with some other interfaces before I give up on it and go for the USB kit. Seems a shame not to be able to use it connected to my Remote.

umami · Post by **umami** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 5:44 pm

Just to close the loop on this: I plugged the LP into a Midiman Midisport 1x1 usb/midi interface last night and all my odd behaviors went away (well, at least the ones to do with the LP). Seems the Remote was the culprit.