A33 MIDI Controller Keyboard sends Notes with Control Messages

[simonjwilliams]

I'm trying to use a Roland A33 76 note MIDI controller keyboard with my DAW on Windows but for some reason, whenever I use the controls there are odd notes played.

As an example, if I move the Data Entry slider (set to Volume, CC 07) I keep hearing a very low note playing when I move it. It seems to be a GS MIDI issue as it works fine when sent to the Microsoft GS MIDI output on the PC (terrible latency) or to a Roland M-GS64 sound module - both are GS MIDI based.

I'd like to know why it sends these notes and if there is a way to stop it sending them with the CCs if possible.

As an example, here is a dump of the incoming MIDI messages from the keyboard as I move the volume slider:

Code: Select all

Volume
0000  B0 07 7C  
ShortMessage:  Command: CONTROL_CHANGE (176)  Channel: 0 Number:   7 Data2:    124
0000  90 07 78       
ShortMessage:  Command: NOTE_ON (144)  Channel: 0 Number:   7 Velocity: 120
0000  90 07 75      
ShortMessage:  Command: NOTE_ON (144)  Channel: 0 Number:   7 Velocity: 117
0000  90 07 71        
ShortMessage:  Command: NOTE_ON (144)  Channel: 0 Number:   7 Velocity: 113
0000  90 07 6E      
ShortMessage:  Command: NOTE_ON (144)  Channel: 0 Number:   7 Velocity: 110

Thanks in anticipation...
Simon.

[kiskadar69]

On my Roland A-33, moving DATA ENTRY never sends a Note On message.
If I look at the screenshot you attached, since the A-33 uses the MIDI Running Status protocol, your A-33 probably sent this to your computer:
B0 07 7C
07 78
07 75
07 71
07 6E
Your computer system may be misinterpreting MIDI messages without status bytes.

1. Check your DAW settings.
2. Try another program. If you are using Windows, I recommend Bome Send SX for MIDI monitoring.
https://www.bome.com/products/sendsx
3. Try it with another MIDI interface.

[kiskadar69]

If the Bome Send SX also displays Note On messages when DATA ENTRY is pulled, your MIDI interface (driver) is probably faulty.
If the MIDI interface is poor quality, maybe it is getting confused by the MIDI Running Status. Windows MIDI drivers add back the missing status bytes implied when MIDI Running Status is used before the application sees the message.
Running Status is not just a convention, it's part of the core MIDI specification. Every MIDI receiver should understand Running Status or it will risk misinterpreting the incoming data. This is particularly true for 5-pin DIN MIDI connections. Releasing code that doesn't handle Running Status is not acceptable.

[simonjwilliams]

Thanks, Kiskadar69.

I gave Bome SendSX a try and received the following from the keyboard as I moved the slider:

B0 07 57
90 07 55
90 07 52
90 07 51
B0 07 4F
90 07 4D
90 07 4B
90 07 49
90 07 47
90 07 45
90 07 44
...

So now I'm going to have to try a different MIDI interface (the one I have is pretty old)....

And having tried one (also old, but an M-Audio MIDISPORT Uno) it now appears to work:

B0 07 2E
B0 07 2B
B0 07 29
B0 07 26
B0 07 24
B0 07 21
B0 07 1E
B0 07 1C
B0 07 1E
B0 07 21

Now to try with Ableton tomorrow.... but Many Thanks for you're help!

Simon.

[simonjwilliams]

And now tried with Ableton 10 Lite - works great.

Thanks again.

[kiskadar69]

Glad I could help.