Topic by Mr.DJ

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Topic: Is my midi keyboard defect or just incompatible with Pianoteq?

Recently tried connecting my old CME UF8 midi keyboard with pianoteq(through a midi adaptor called MidiMate 2) and I got some problems with delays and missing notes. Looking in the audiomidi setup/midi and at the field that says "latest midi messages received will appear here". I get a continuel stream of messages concearning my pitch bend wheel. I would upload a screenshot, but seems this forum does not offer/allow to upload attachments.

I tried replacing MidiMate 2 with the latest version called "eX" instead and seems like the speed improved. Not much delay(haven't tested this much yet though, so don't know how stable it is).  But still get the continous stream of pitchbend midi messages in the mentioned Midi section.

I am new to this, so need to ask if this is normal?  Can the pitchbend receiving signal be disabled/ignored by Pianoteq(seems to be located at channel 1)? Holding down keys, to let the note sound longer, seems to indicate, to me at least, that something wrong is going on.....random quick changes in pitch is noticed, especially noticeable in the higher keys.

I also got a warning about the keyboard was using a "rare aftertouch feature" when trying out the velocity curve guide. Which lead me to the question wether my CME keyboard was at all compatible with pianoteq!  :-)

Is aftertouch considered an outdated feature today?  Does Roland's FP-90 have aftertouch?  :-)  What have replaced the feature today, if it's outdated? Yeah, I'm a noob! ;-)

Regards
Daniel

Last edited by Mr.DJ (11-07-2018 23:58)

Reply by EvilDragon

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Re: Is my midi keyboard defect or just incompatible with Pianoteq?

Aftertouch is by all means not outdated, but it's unfortunately (IMHO) being left out of newer keyboards (FP-90 doesn't have aftertouch). It's just a part of MIDI standard - a specific type of message.

Your MIDI controller has a noisy potentiometer in the pitch bend wheel, which makes it send spurious messages (no, it is not supposed to do that on its own!). You could try dealing with this by blowing compressed air inside the wheel, or if you have some DeoxIt, try using that to clean the pot.

Hard work and guts!

Reply by Mr.DJ

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Re: Is my midi keyboard defect or just incompatible with Pianoteq?

EvilDragon wrote:

Your MIDI controller has a noisy potentiometer in the pitch bend wheel, which makes it send spurious messages (no, it is not supposed to do that on its own!). You could try dealing with this by blowing compressed air inside the wheel, or if you have some DeoxIt, try using that to clean the pot.

Hello again!  :-)
Just wanted to say a quick thank-you for the troubleshooting help. You where right, it was the potentiometer that was sending out the "false midi values".  Unfortunately, it was not enough blowing compressed air or using contact cleaner, as the potentiometer was practically cut-off inside, so I was forced to disassamble the keyboard and find a dealer that sells a suitable replacement potentiometer.

I had initially hoped to avoid all of this when I asked for help, but I see now I might as well repair it properly.....might also increase the midi keyboards value, should I decide to sell it a little later!  ;-)

So thanks again, for leading me in the right direction!  :-)

Reply by EvilDragon

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Re: Is my midi keyboard defect or just incompatible with Pianoteq?

Mr.DJ wrote:

might also increase the midi keyboards value, should I decide to sell it a little later!

Probably not, it's a CME, those don't really hold their price...

Hard work and guts!