Total Posts: 2
Joined: September 24, 2017
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I've had a P50 piano for about 15 years now, and it is one of my favorite digital pianos to play and record with. I should note that I primarily use it as a MIDI out for piano parts these days, so the MIDI functionality is very important to me. Very recently (within the last week or so) I've noticed that some notes won't sound when I play them (MIDI out through a computer using various sound libraries). Other notes won't turn off when I release them. This doesn't happen 100% of the time with any one note, but it does seem to happen with more regularity with some notes than others (though I'm not sure if it's just that I tend to play in certain keys more often than others).
Having some experience in MIDI programming, it's clear that the MIDI on/off messages aren't always being relayed. At first I thought it must be a lose solder joint or some issue with a circuit board. I've inspected the circuit boards, and they look immaculate. No corrosion, no lose solder joints, etc. The issue only happens on the MIDI out so far as I can tell. The actual audio out doesn't seem to be impacted. I've tested various MIDI cables, MIDI interfaces, DAWs, and keyboards, and I can say with confidence that the issue lies with the P50.
I also started a thread on the REAPER forum (my DAW of choice), so feel free to read the discussion there (https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?p=1889526&posted=1#post1889526). The general consensus on that forum is that there is probably a bad capacitor somewhere (could be, I couldn't really tell one way or the other).
Does anyone have any ideas about the cause or a potential solution?
Any guidance or suggestions would be much appreciated.
Tags:
MIDI, stuck note, missing note
Posted on September 24, 2017 at 2:44 AM
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Total Posts: 2
Joined: September 24, 2017
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Re: SX P50 MIDI Out Problem - notes sound too long or don't sound at all
Just had the same issue with the sustain pedal (CC 64).
Posted on September 24, 2017 at 3:07 AM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 166
Joined: January 12, 2015
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Re: SX P50 MIDI Out Problem - notes sound too long or don't sound at all
HI there
I would guess that the fault is actually common to many of the old Technics machines now. Since you have had the 50 for a long time it is likely that there are issues with the power circuits which may not be audible but could well confuse things once you start sending MIDI data down the line. It might be an idea to have all the power supply capacitors changed as any ripple here will cause glitches which could well be upsetting things!
Let me know if you need help!
Regards
Dave
Posted on October 8, 2017 at 6:16 PM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: SX P50 MIDI Out Problem - notes sound too long or don't sound at all
Hi,
I'm glad that Dave answered this. I must admit that I didn't read it correctly the first time I saw it. I can suggest two things:
1 - I had the same issue with an organ once. Cleaning the pins on the power cable fixed it. That is cleaning both the two pins in the keyboard and the two sockets in the cable (obviously not when it is plugged in!).
2 - You said you tried different cables and hardware but you didn't say what midi interface(s) you are using. As you and we have said, it is an older model, so as well as thoroughly cleaning the sockets of your midi ports & cables you need to ensure that your computer setup is as good as possible. clean USB port, defragmented hard drive using the right drivers and good hardware. Recent issues could point to a sub-optimum computer setup, even if it is working with a newer keyboard. An automated Windows update might have caused it even. I also has similar issues with midi interfaces until I changed to the Roland UM ONE MK 2 interface. The fact that you have tried various midi interfaces leads me to think that you could have multiple conflicting drivers on your PC. Perhaps you could try a very simple setup on another machine using your best midi interface so that there are no conflicts. Ideally a PC that hasn't had midi interface drivers installed before.
I hope that might help. Even though you are fairly certain that this is a problem with the keyboard it could be something simple that might avoid the soldering iron yet!
Best wishes,
Mike
Posted on October 8, 2017 at 7:00 PM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 166
Joined: January 12, 2015
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Re: SX P50 MIDI Out Problem - notes sound too long or don't sound at all
Hi again
I only thought power supply as having had something very similar on a KN7000 only last week where it was working fine on the audio side except for some occasional odd noises but wouldn't output anything on the MIDI a work over on the 5 and 3v3 power lines and the replacement of the 15 volt circuits brought back the MIDI. I was doing the power supply anyway so the MIDI issue was a bonus! Saved me hunting for a fault that I might never have found!
I wonder if this will crop up more often as all the Technics gear gets into its dotage!
Regards
Dave
Posted on October 8, 2017 at 9:30 PM
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