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MIDI-OX >> Questions and Discussion >> MIDI unwanted noise
(Message started by: hackwojr on Jul 18th, 2004, 10:06pm)

Title: MIDI unwanted noise
Post by hackwojr on Jul 18th, 2004, 10:06pm
Hello,

I have a problem I have been working on for a while now.  I have posed this question on many other forums, to Cakewalk and Yamaha but can't seem to get a good answer.  I came across this MidiOX tool and would like to pose the results to see if someone can help me identify the results.  First, let me explain the problem.  Before I do, it looks like to be a problem with perhaps WindowsXP and the way it it process my Midi data at my midi port.

I am using WinXP, and Yamaha PSR-540 and TOHOST port to serial port (not standard MIDI to gameport or USB).  The problem is this -

Whenever I am using a Midi program (Cakewalk, MidiOx, or just playing a MIDI file with Winamp), I get a click with each note as I press the key and when I lift off.  I hear the note fine, but it is always associated with two clicks, when I press and when it releases.  If Cakewalk is open, I hear the clicks, even if a project is not open - regardless of echo on/off status - regardless of local control on my keyboard - regardless of patch or bank.  As I said, I also get the clicks with notes even if I am not physically playing the keyboard (but a program like Winamp is).  It isn't a "dropout" issue because like I said, it happens with a program open (like MidiOx.)  The click is not touch sensative like the note.

Okay, so MidiOx gives me this data.  It seems to me that my midi instrument is sending to much, but I don't know enough about it.  This is with one note being played once. (1 note = 4 events)

Timestamp IN PORT STATUS DATA1 DATA2 CHAN NOTE EVENT
00074B00  1    1       90        24       33      1     C2 NOTE ON
00074B00  1    3       90        24       33      1     C2 NOTE ON
00074B98  1    1       90        24       00      1     C2 NOTE OFF
00074B98  1    3       90        24       00      1     C2 NOTE OFF


So, my guess is that the second note on or off at the same time at a different port is causing the problem, or is this what one would expect?

Thanks,
jeremy

Title: Re: MIDI unwanted noise
Post by Jamie OConnell on Jul 19th, 2004, 12:45am
The reason you are seeing 2 Note On (and Note Off) events is because you have 2 output ports open (look at the number in the Port column).  If you open the Input Monitor you will only see one event arriving per Note On.

As for the clicks...  I have occasionally heard some zipper type noise in Windows when MIDI events were transmitting.  I have usually been able to eliminate it or mask it by A) Turning up the gain on outboard MIDI Modules, B) Rearranging the order of the PCI cards in the computer -- moving the Sound Card away from the Video card, away from any modems etc.  In your case I'm not sure what components would be affected since you are getting the Serial port from the Motherboard.  But it's still worth experimenting.

Title: Re: MIDI unwanted noise
Post by hackwojr on Jul 19th, 2004, 3:19am
So what your saying is that the fact that I have two ports open doesn't mean necessarily that the keyboard is sending two "notes on" messages?  Okay, well then this can't be the source of the noise.

As for your other troubleshooting suggestions - Turning up the Midi Module only increase the noise clicks.  I can't rearrangle PCI cards because it is a laptop I am using as you said, I am using my serial port.  

Thanks for the suggestions though.  i will keep searching.  I wish Yamaha would be more proactive in helping me as I suspect it is probably their issue.



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