I feel like a dummy, but can someone help me with midi

indiehouse
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I feel like a dummy, but can someone help me with midi Feb 22, 2019 22:14:09 GMT -6

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Post by indiehouse on Feb 22, 2019 22:14:09 GMT -6

I don't use it much, but I'm starting to. I never had a problem before, but I can't get my midi controller (Impulse 61) to communicate with ProTools. Keep getting a message "Unable to communicate with HUI" or something like that. It's connected via USB to USB. I also have a midi out cable going to my 828ES midi in. I check out Audio Midi setup on my Mac OS. I see the controller as a device, but it's not connected to anything. And I can't get it to. It won't make the connection. I don't even know if that's relevant or not. I've already been to Peripherals in PT. Set it up as an HUI.

Last Edit: Feb 22, 2019 22:14:40 GMT -6 by indiehouse

the other mark williams
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I feel like a dummy, but can someone help me with midi Feb 22, 2019 22:21:54 GMT -6

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Post by the other mark williams on Feb 22, 2019 22:21:54 GMT -6

I'm not a PT guy anymore, and i don't have the Impulse 61, so keep that in mind as I respond:

Why are you setting up the Impulse in HUI mode? Is that what you're using it for? A control surface? Or as a keyboard input device? Try eliminating the USB cable first and just go in through the MIDI port on your 828es. That way, you at least eliminate one variable.

indiehouse
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Posts: 4,257

I feel like a dummy, but can someone help me with midi Feb 22, 2019 23:06:13 GMT -6 via mobile

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Post by indiehouse on Feb 22, 2019 23:06:13 GMT -6

Feb 22, 2019 22:21:54 GMT -6 the other mark williams said:

I'm not a PT guy anymore, and i don't have the Impulse 61, so keep that in mind as I respond:

Why are you setting up the Impulse in HUI mode? Is that what you're using it for? A control surface? Or as a keyboard input device? Try eliminating the USB cable first and just go in through the MIDI port on your 828es. That way, you at least eliminate one variable.

I thought I read that I’m supposed to setup as an HUI somewhere. Problem is, the Impulse is USB powered. So midi only cable means no power.

deehope
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Posts: 374

I feel like a dummy, but can someone help me with midi Feb 22, 2019 23:25:35 GMT -6 via mobile

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Post by deehope on Feb 22, 2019 23:25:35 GMT -6

Feb 22, 2019 23:06:13 GMT -6 indiehouse said:

Feb 22, 2019 22:21:54 GMT -6 the other mark williams said:

I'm not a PT guy anymore, and i don't have the Impulse 61, so keep that in mind as I respond:

Why are you setting up the Impulse in HUI mode? Is that what you're using it for? A control surface? Or as a keyboard input device? Try eliminating the USB cable first and just go in through the MIDI port on your 828es. That way, you at least eliminate one variable.

I thought I read that I’m supposed to setup as an HUI somewhere. Problem is, the Impulse is USB powered. So midi only cable means no power.

did u watch the video on YouTube? I think it has setups for ever daw. If I remember correctly, if your just using it as a midi keyboard it's pretty much plug and play. So usb from the impulse to ur mac. If you want to use it as a control surface, that's where I think u need to setup the hui.
Did you download the latest version of automap? That also has a little setup walk through to get you started.
www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://support.novationmusic.com/hc/en-gb/articles/206857939-VIDEO-How-do-I-set-up-my-Impulse-with-my-preferred-DAW-&ved=2ahUKEwjH49yzj9HgAhUK84MKHb6ZDNUQwqsBMAJ6BAgJEAU&usg=AOvVaw3Fiu4qChFYx3Lt3fKUmhXA

Last Edit: Feb 22, 2019 23:28:28 GMT -6 by deehope

indiehouse
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Posts: 4,257

I feel like a dummy, but can someone help me with midi Feb 23, 2019 6:41:56 GMT -6 via mobile

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Post by indiehouse on Feb 23, 2019 6:41:56 GMT -6

Feb 22, 2019 23:25:35 GMT -6 deehope said:

Feb 22, 2019 23:06:13 GMT -6 indiehouse said:

I thought I read that I’m supposed to setup as an HUI somewhere. Problem is, the Impulse is USB powered. So midi only cable means no power.

did u watch the video on YouTube? I think it has setups for ever daw. If I remember correctly, if your just using it as a midi keyboard it's pretty much plug and play. So usb from the impulse to ur mac. If you want to use it as a control surface, that's where I think u need to setup the hui.
Did you download the latest version of automap? That also has a little setup walk through to get you started.
www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://support.novationmusic.com/hc/en-gb/articles/206857939-VIDEO-How-do-I-set-up-my-Impulse-with-my-preferred-DAW-&ved=2ahUKEwjH49yzj9HgAhUK84MKHb6ZDNUQwqsBMAJ6BAgJEAU&usg=AOvVaw3Fiu4qChFYx3Lt3fKUmhXA

I just want to use it as a midi controller. And it’s always been plug and play with this controller before. Now it’s just plug and no play. I also tried a different controller I have, but no dice either.

mike
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I feel like a dummy, but can someone help me with midi Feb 23, 2019 8:08:03 GMT -6

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Post by mike on Feb 23, 2019 8:08:03 GMT -6

Feb 22, 2019 22:14:09 GMT -6 indiehouse said:

I check out Audio Midi setup on my Mac OS. I see the controller as a device, but it's not connected to anything.

While most here would likely be more knowledgeable than I in this area, and this probably isn't it. I've sometimes had the same thing from my mid controller into pro tools where I could see my interface in the Audio midi set up but it till wouldn't work. So I've learned to first double check to make sure my setting on my mid controller keyboard matches the output cord I'm using whether it's midi or USB because some controllers when powered up and down go back to their default setting which may be different than your midi output cord choice,....... and the other thing that has worked sometimes for me was to simply unplug the usb from my hub and plug it back in since after long periods of one or both being on and multiple programs being used would cause mine occasionally to kick it out of sync sometimes. It's probably not either of those, but I pass it along FWIW.

indiehouse
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Posts: 4,257

I feel like a dummy, but can someone help me with midi Feb 23, 2019 8:16:55 GMT -6 via mobile

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Post by indiehouse on Feb 23, 2019 8:16:55 GMT -6

Feb 23, 2019 8:08:03 GMT -6 mike said:

Feb 22, 2019 22:14:09 GMT -6 indiehouse said:

I check out Audio Midi setup on my Mac OS. I see the controller as a device, but it's not connected to anything.

While most here would likely be more knowledgeable than I in this area, and this probably isn't it. I've sometimes had the same thing from my mid controller into pro tools where I could see my interface in the Audio midi set up but it till wouldn't work. So I've learned to first double check to make sure my setting on my mid controller keyboard matches the output cord I'm using whether it's midi or USB because some controllers when powered up and down go back to their default setting which may be different than your midi output cord choice,....... and the other thing that has worked sometimes for me was to simply unplug the usb from my hub and plug it back in since after long periods of one or both being on and multiple programs being used would cause mine occasionally to kick it out of sync sometimes. It's probably not either of those, but I pass it along FWIW.

Thanks. I’ve had it plugged/unplugged a bunch trying to troubleshoot, but no change. Not sure there’s much in the way of midi settings on the Impulse. I can change the channel maybe? But I just set it to ‘All’ on the PT instrument channel midi input drop down at the top of the track.

It’s gotta be something dumb I’m doing. I’m just super experienced using midi, but I’m working on that. The frustrating part is that it’s worked before. I just plug it in and go. Not so much now.

mike
Senior Member

Posts: 771

I feel like a dummy, but can someone help me with midi Feb 23, 2019 9:21:08 GMT -6

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Post by mike on Feb 23, 2019 9:21:08 GMT -6

It's the same for me as I usually forget something simple when hooking it all back up,.... so just to make sure, when your controller is connected to your Mac/PT and your playing keys on your midi controller, you do have your instrument track "record enabled" in PT right ?

FWIW, though I know you said you've already had it set up in the past, maybe this link as a check list reference might help at
www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/how-do-i-set-up-a-midi-controller-in-pro-tools/

Last Edit: Feb 23, 2019 11:09:01 GMT -6 by mike

Johnkenn Administrator Come, my children... Posts: 24,759	I feel like a dummy, but can someone help me with midi Feb 23, 2019 9:30:33 GMT -6 via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Johnkenn on Feb 23, 2019 9:30:33 GMT -6 Don’t you have to go into peripherals and set it up there?

drbill
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Posts: 7,937

I feel like a dummy, but can someone help me with midi Feb 23, 2019 11:19:57 GMT -6 ericn likes this

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Post by drbill on Feb 23, 2019 11:19:57 GMT -6

nope. No peripherals setup needed. It should be brainless plug and play.

indiehouse - I'm sure you've already done a bunch of this, but here's where I would start when things "should" work, and they don't.

1. restart computer. If it works, great. If it doesn't :
2. completely shut down computer and drives and let it sit for 5 minutes. Restart. If it works, great. If it doesn't :
3. Open PT Pref's app, and trash everything appropriate. EVERYTHING!!! Empty trash, reboot computer and let it rebuild everything. If it works, great. If it doesn't :
4. Reseat all USB connectors. Try to plug the keyboard straight into a computer USB to rule out any "hub issues". Swap out your USB cable!!! These often go wonky. If it works, great. If it doesn't :
5. Open audio / midi page. Find your keyboard's icon. Turn your keyboard off - the icon should "grey out". Turn it back on - it should become active (bolder) again. if this works, your keyboard(s) is communicating with Apple OS. If you are using USB for midi i/o, the icon does NOT need it's connectors to be "connected" to anything. No need for a Midi interface or anything like that.
5. Boot PT and open an instrument track and instantiate the Avid Mini Grand Piano. Record arm the track. Play the "keyboard" on the plugin and make sure you hear it. If you don't, make sure it's outputs are routed correctly. Your USB keyboard SHOULD be playing the plugin at this point. If not, flip the keyboard on and off. If it works, great. If it doesn't :

now is where things start getting tweaky. killing all preferences in #3 should have fixed any anomalies, but you never know....

6. Open Midi Input Filter - Setup > MIDI > Inputfilter. make sure "notes" is NOT checked.
7. Open Midi Input Enable - Setup > MIDI > Midi Input Enable. make sure your keyboard is listed in there and is "checked". If it's not. There's something going on on the Audio Midi Setup page
8. On the audio midi setup page "midi studio" double click on your keyboard icon and see if anything looks wanky. If not, close it. If it works, great. If it doesn't :
9. You mentioned "HUI" at some point. You don't want to go there. Open Perhiperals > MIDI Controllers/ Everything should say "none". Not HUI. Ethernet controllers, none enabled, "none" everywhere else. Basically everything everywhere should say "none". If it works, great. If it doesn't :
10. Reboot / Shut down computer again and try again. If it works, great. If it doesn't :
11. Take your boot backup drive (you DO have one don't you -

and try again. If it works, great. If it doesn't :
12. Call a professional to come over and sort you out - you've done all you can shy of re-installing your OS and PT. If you have a buddy with a system, try taking your USB keyboard to his system and see if it's communicating there. That's the one thing I didn't address - your keyboard. Maybe it's broken?

GOOD LUCK!!!

It honestly should be as easy as turning on the keyboard, plugging it in and arming an instrument track that has a plugin instantiated on it.

PS - you COULD do some research on your USB keyboard and see if there are necessary drivers, but I've NEVER had to do this with any keyboard I've plugged into a Mac.

Last Edit: Feb 23, 2019 11:32:38 GMT -6 by drbill

the other mark williams
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I feel like a dummy, but can someone help me with midi Feb 23, 2019 12:50:55 GMT -6 drbill and ericn like this

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Post by the other mark williams on Feb 23, 2019 12:50:55 GMT -6

Everything drbill said is great. Here's one additional idea to check out whether a keyboard itself is working properly: Does it work in other programs? Pull up Garageband and see if it works there.

OH, and I meant to say this last night: There is no need whatsoever for you to feel like a dummy. This shit can get complicated sometimes. There are a lot of variables.

Last Edit: Feb 23, 2019 12:52:47 GMT -6 by the other mark williams

I feel like a dummy, but can someone help me with midi

Post by indiehouse on Feb 22, 2019 22:14:09 GMT -6

Post by the other mark williams on Feb 22, 2019 22:21:54 GMT -6

Post by indiehouse on Feb 22, 2019 23:06:13 GMT -6

Post by deehope on Feb 22, 2019 23:25:35 GMT -6

Post by indiehouse on Feb 23, 2019 6:41:56 GMT -6

Post by mike on Feb 23, 2019 8:08:03 GMT -6

Post by indiehouse on Feb 23, 2019 8:16:55 GMT -6

Post by mike on Feb 23, 2019 9:21:08 GMT -6

Post by Johnkenn on Feb 23, 2019 9:30:33 GMT -6

Post by drbill on Feb 23, 2019 11:19:57 GMT -6

Post by the other mark williams on Feb 23, 2019 12:50:55 GMT -6