'Hanging' MIDI Notes / No Stop Signal

[parttimealpaca]

So I found a couple of threads about this topic but pretty much all of them were somehow marked as resolved but the problem persists for me.

When sequencing external gear, I often get 'hanging' midi notes. Seems like the stop signal is not being sent. I then need to find the hanging note (or notes), play them once and then the notes sop playing correctly. This is very annoying for live setups. This problem has been there since I got the device in August last year. I love my blackbox but I try not to use it for midi sequencing anymore since I get this problem multiple times a session.

Currently running v. 1.7.4. MIDI is being sent via the MIDI out to a THRU-5 and then to my synths (the problem happens for every synth I've tried so far).
I do have a Minilab MKII connected via USB but even if I unplug and just send notes via the sequences the problem persists.
I'm using the provided cable and power adapter plugged into the wall.

Any suggestions?

[Steve]

Which external synths are you using? Can you say more about your MIDI connections?

[parttimealpaca]

Hi Steve,

so I've hat those issues with the Following Synths: Arturia Microfreak, Korg Volca FM, Modal Craft, Behringer Poly D and Behringer Crave.

I go MIDI out of the Blackbox (with the provided TRS-Adapter) into the Kenton THRU-5 and from there to my Synths (using TRS-Adapters if needed). Mostly every Synth has it's own MIDI Channel in that case. I also had a Setup where I went directly into one Synth and from there into the next one. Either way I'm experiencing the same issues with both setups.

Let me know if there is anything else I can share.

[Steve]

Have you played with the Duty Cycle setting in the sequence settings? I ask because my 2 Behringer synths have this issue and not just from the blackbox. I can't speak for the others though adjusting the duty cycle seems to at least affect it - sometimes. I also get this from my KeyStep Pro when controlling my Behringer synths.

Perhaps, this could be fixed with an explicit Note Off command. Thanks for the info. Please let me know if this changes - good or bad.

[parttimealpaca]

Hi Steve,

firstly thanks to the suggestions. They made me think and I think I'm on to something now.

I failed to mention something crucial in my Synth-Setup:

So the way I play/sequence my synths is by setting up a 'dummy'-pad with some sample in it, set it to gate, turn the level all the way to minimum and set the midi channels according to my synth. I find this very convenient because I can switch between the synths I control just by changing the output channel on my midi-controller (since the pads all get individual input channels). When sequencing a synth, I always sequence the pad connected to it.

Unfortunately I think my way of doing this is the reason for the hanging notes. When I just set an MIDI-Out channel for a sequence I don't seem to be having those issues. Maybe that helps to identify the problem. Maybe my way of doing things is just not intended, then I will have to live with it

Thank you and all the best,
Kristof

[Steve]

Currently, you have to use a dummy pad/sample as you describe. But I would suggest setting the MIDI channel in the sequence instead of the pad. Also, be very aware of the MIDI coming back in. If you had MIDI IN and OUT going simultaneously between devices it is possible that causes it, too. Remember, you have MIDI settings at the Pad level and the TOOLS menu.

[parttimealpaca]

Yeah I found that setting the MIDI channel in the sequence definitely seems so eliminate the problem. It is a bummer since I can't switch synths without touching the blackbox (at least when I'm just playing and not recording a sequence), but not a big deal. Guess I just have to get used to a slightly different workflow then. None of my Synths send MIDI back to the Blackbox or do you think the minilab is receiving MIDI information via usb? Don't even know if that's possible. Thanks for your help (And of course your products. I've been enjoying them a lot!)

[Steve]

I'm not familiar with the minilab but it is very possible.