Muff's Modules & More

[XXXEsq]

(Cross-Posted from Cubase.net)

OK, I'm stumped...

Relevant (I think) System specs: i920 DAW w/ 9 gigs of RAM, MOTU Midi Express 128 midi interface, Novation SL61MKII kbd, Encore and Kenton outboard midi-CV converters; Moog/DotCom analog modulars; 2x MR816csx; Mackie MCU and 1 Extender (older units running through midi).

I'm working on a track where bass and drums are down as midi/vsti tracks in Trillion and RMX. The patch involves an analog sequencer running in time with the track which modulates the oscillators playing pitch data with a delayed repeating figure above. Took a 16th note figure (gating a fast noise snap) from Massive and output through an 816 to an envelope follower in the DotCom to clock its analog sequencer in time with the track. That works fine.

I play the Novation kbd through Cubase (USB) and output the channel to the midi output in the MOTU driving the Kenton which supplies CV and triggers to the modulars. Audio out of the modulars back into my 816s. So far, so good, done this may times before. Works fine.

But after playing the parts and "adjusting" for my lack of keyboard chops in the Cubase midi editor, I play back the track (with the "finished" midi performance) sending the midi out to the Kenton so I can have Cubase "play" the modular and record in one full pass while I manually manipulate various modules' controls. But the midi notes being sent are unstable. The note data occasionally results in the oscillators generating a high pitched screech (for ½ a second or so) instead of a steady note. Its as if the midi data was scrambled going out. Its totally random and never happens at the same place in the track. I've tried driving the same patch directly from the keyboard (kbd midi out > Kenton midi in) and it works fine. Rerecorded the midi performance (on a new track) and it behaves just as poorly as the original. Removed all unused controller data, no change.

Tried going through possible hardware issues: I've swapped the MOTU for an older M-Audio midi unit; swapped the Kenton for my Expressionist; swapped midi cables; copied the track to another midi track, re-bussed everything, floated grounds, all to no avail. Still getting random scrambled pitch data.

(Note also that my ASIO meter seems rather high for the track. Running about 20%, even with both the vstis frozen and no other inserts other than the channel strips in the 816s. Another point is that changing the disk pre-read from 2 - 3 seconds totally disrupts the operation of the entire system. The disk meter pegs and the dropouts are unmanageable. In 2 sec preread, it runs fine...)

I'm 100% baffled. It seems that the midi data coming out of Cubase is randomly corrupted, and it somehow is messing with my system stability, but I just can't figure out how or why.

I won't be surprised if its operator error, and I suspect I have several things going on at one time. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[chamomileshark]

That is odd.

If I get odd notes I usually find I've failed to mute a Cubase track that is sending additional data - but you say it happens in different places.

I assume you have no daisy chains.

Have you tried lifting your track and inserting it in a fresh empty project?

Presumably it works perfectly if you put a soft synth to play that track?

[mojopin]