MIDI Through is not working

[mj15003]

Hello Megadrummers,

I am having a problem with MIDI through functionality of ARM based Megadrum. I connected Alesis Trigger IO Midi Out to Midi In of Megadrum and then Midi Out of Megadrum to Midi in of Alesis DM5 and via USB to PC of course. MIDI Through parameter was set to Yes, but no notes were detected by DM5. Activity led on Megadrum was blinking, but only some times, not each time Trigger IO registred a hit. Cables are OK. Megadrum's USB MIDI to PC works OK.

I am trying to make this working because I plan to use Megadrum with Trigger IO in parallel but only with a single USB.

I guess there might by a problem with different MIDI speeds, since ARM Megadrum is FullSpeed USB and those Alesis modules are standard midi. But I dont believe there could be such incompatibility only because of different speeds and no option to change them. I agree that plain MIDI is becoming obsolete in Megadrum, but still it can be useful.

I would appreciate any ideas?

[dmitri]

Do all the notes from MegaDrum itself come through to DM5?

[mj15003]

Yes, all the notes triggerred by Megadrum's own inputs are properly transmitted over MIDI out to DM5 as well as over MIDI USB to PC.

But MIDI In on Megadrum behaves quite strange to me. When my Trigger IO sends a note to MIDI In of Megadrum the activity LED on Megadrum blinks only sometimes. A few times I even succeeded to push a few notes from Trigger IO to DM5 through Megadrum, but it was maybe one of hundred unsuccessful attempts. It looks like some electrical problem. Or interference from cable jungle in my studio.

I also tried to send a few notes from my DAW via USB to Megadrum. The LED on Megadrum was blinking with each note, but nothing came through MIDI Out of Megadrum to DM5.

Could it be fixed somehow with a new firmware, or there is no need for that? Could it be only the ARM issue? Have you anybody tried to use MIDI Thru on ARM based Megadrum?

Thank you

[airflamesred]

I fail to understand why you need the OI when you have an MD. Simplify the layout and you may see where the issue is.

[dmitri]

MIDI from USB to MIDI Out is not implemented since I don't see how it can be used.
I tested MIDI Through functionality with Novation Remote 25 (and of course another MegaDrum). It could be that Trigger IO produces a weaker signal on MIDI Out. Do you have other devices with MIDI Out? If yes, can you test MIDI Through with them?

[mj15003]

I fail to understand why you need the OI when you have an MD. Simplify the layout and you may see where the issue is.

I plan to use Megadrum with IO in pair to have more inputs. I had owned Trigger IO before I got Megadrum and I think it still can be useful as secondary module. It may be difficult to sell it, so I am trying to utilize it somehow. They can be paired also via USB but I would prefer MIDI Thru as I don't have enough free USB ports on my laptop and don't want to use hubs because of possible latency increase. This strange setup from Trigger IO through Megadrum to DM5 I used primary for testing.

[mj15003]

MIDI from USB to MIDI Out is not implemented since I don't see how it can be used.
I tested MIDI Through functionality with Novation Remote 25 (and of course another MegaDrum). It could be that Trigger IO produces a weaker signal on MIDI Out. Do you have other devices with MIDI Out? If yes, can you test MIDI Through with them?

I think MIDI from USB to MIDI Out could be used for example to play an external drum machine from a computer. I know it is quite rare, but it would even increase yet now incredible versatility of Megadrum. I don't have an idea how difficult is to implement it, but why not to do that, if it is quite easy. Megadrum would be also an universal USB to MIDI interface.

Good idea, to test the signal level. It might be the issue. But I don't understand why. Since MIDI is standardized, devices should be compatible, even on physical layer. The fact is, that Trigger IO itself can drive DM5 and Megadrum itself can drive DM5 as well. But Trigger IO through Megadrum CANNOT drive DM5. Unexpected logical conclusion , just curiosity.

Btw. Dmitri many thanks for the quick reply, I really appreciate it. This forum is really living company. I have seen also elsewhere that you are replaying many other, even repeating, questions with patience. Good job. I can't believe this is a one man show. (or almost)

[dmitri]

Good idea, to test the signal level. It might be the issue. But I don't understand why. Since MIDI is standardized, devices should be compatible, even on physical layer. The fact is, that Trigger IO itself can drive DM5 and Megadrum itself can drive DM5 as well. But Trigger IO through Megadrum CANNOT drive DM5. Unexpected logical conclusion , just curiosity.

It could be that either MegaDrum is right on the threshold for MIDI signal sensitivity or Trigger IO is right on the threshold of MIDI signal strength. This is why I'm asking you to test it with another device.

[airflamesred]

Well I don't have an IO to hand but I have driven my DM5 from a keyboard via MD on the midi thru.

[mj15003]

Well I don't have an IO to hand but I have driven my DM5 from a keyboard via MD on the midi thru.

It seems it is really the signal level problem, but I have no other device with MIDI OUT to test it. However, I found it unnecessary, since I connected both MD and IO to PC via USB hub and there is no observable delay to me. I will use it that way.