M-AUDIO KEYSTATION 88S --> KORG VOLKA KEYS

fheo · Post by **fheo** » Tue Jan 24, 2017 3:44 pm

I have a very basic question I know, but it's been 2 weeks now that I'm stuck with this.

I'm trying to control my Korg Volka Keys with my M-Audio keystation 88s via MIDI.
I've plugged the cable in the MIDI IN of the Volka, selected CHANNEL1 on both the decices, but nothing happens.
The M-audio is powered not by USB but with a normal wall plug.
Is there a check list I have to follow? What else do I have to do?

Koekepan · Post by **Koekepan** » Tue Jan 24, 2017 4:18 pm

Honestly, that sounds dead right.

Do you have something you can route it through to show MIDI note events? Maybe MIDI connections on a computer? Or a separate workstation?

What you described is pretty much what I do with mine (give or take some MIDI Thru boxes and sequencers).

fheo · Post by **fheo** » Tue Jan 24, 2017 5:05 pm

Koekepan wrote:Honestly, that sounds dead right.

Do you have something you can route it through to show MIDI note events? Maybe MIDI connections on a computer? Or a separate workstation?

What you described is pretty much what I do with mine (give or take some MIDI Thru boxes and sequencers).

Thank you so much for you answer, it's good to feel less alone in this story of unresponsive machines.

Yes, I've downloaded a Midi Monitor software to check if my M-Audio sends data correctly. I've checked if the Channel 1 was working as so it was.
On the Volca I've set MIDI Clock SRC on AUTO and MIDI RX Short Settings on ON.
Is there anything else I can do before I buy a new Midi Cable?

Small fact. When I press the keys of the M-Audio I can see a fast flash of one of the lights "inside" the Volca, so it seems that a certain kind of signal is sent to the device.
Thank you.

Koekepan · Post by **Koekepan** » Wed Jan 25, 2017 6:42 am

So call me crazy - but I have to ask: can you get sounds out of it using anything else? The ribbon keyboard? Any other MIDI source? Can you drive MIDI from your computer?

Oh, and did you check the volume? Did you try different settings on the Volca itself? Did you try modulating what you get?

sharksfin · Post by **sharksfin** » Wed Jan 25, 2017 9:50 am

Ive tried this too
Doesnt work
Gave up
Really kaka keyboard
Waste of koney

fheo · Post by **fheo** » Wed Jan 25, 2017 4:29 pm

Yes, I tried to modulate the knobs in order to get a stronger sound, I also tried to plug the audio out of the volca into my speakers instead of the earphones, but nothing.
I've also tried to plug my Akai MPD32 into the volca, with no good results..

I really don't know what to do.

Did you use a M-Audio keystation 88s with volca keys?

Koekepan · Post by **Koekepan** » Wed Jan 25, 2017 8:41 pm

Nope. I have used the Volca Keys directly (with the sequencer, and with the ribbon keyboard), I have used a KORG Kross, a KORG Kronos, a Behringer BCR-2000, and a Casio XW-P1.

All worked, no problems.

Does your Volca work standalone? Through its own speaker? On battery?

fheo · Post by **fheo** » Wed Jan 25, 2017 10:29 pm

Yes yes and yes.
Really don't know what to do..

OpAmp · Post by **OpAmp** » Wed Jan 25, 2017 10:45 pm

Hi,

Maybe the MIDI input is really broken. You may return it or let a dealer have a look at it, wether he can get it working with another keyboard.

Bye

fheo · Post by **fheo** » Wed Jan 25, 2017 11:12 pm

Is there a way to check if my VolcaKeys MIDI IN is really not working? (there's a small red light that flashes when I press any key on the controller though).

Checkin on google I found out that some suggest to buy a midi through in order to set the midi input properly.. I don't know even what a midi through is..

fheo · Post by **fheo** » Wed Jan 25, 2017 11:34 pm

GUYS, I have some news.
My Volca reacted after I connected it to my AkaiMPD32.
So this means that the Volca MIDI IN is not broken.
And this also means that the problem is related to the M-Audio Keystation88es.

I have a MIDI MONITOR software which told my I'm sending MIDI properly and at the right channel.
So, now, does this mean something to you?

Koekepan · Post by **Koekepan** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 12:43 am

I won't say that it's a smoking gun, but it does suggest some new ideas.

If the Volca is fine and operational by itself, and the MPD32 is driving it successfully, then we know a few things:

Not the MIDI cable
Not the Volca's central electronics
Not the Volca's MIDI port

If the keyboard is the problem, but your computer recognises MIDI signals coming from it, then it may be a signal issue from the M-Audio keyboard.

For a variety of reasons, MIDI signals can actually operate on a range of voltages, and it's possible that the voltages coming from the M-Audio are just not good enough - this is why a powered MIDI-Thru box (such as one from Kenton) might work, by producing a better electrical signal.

Digression: a MIDI-Thru box such as the Kenton Thru-5 takes in one MIDI signal, and then multiplies it across a number of outbound MIDI ports. This lets you do things like have a sequencer produce data for multiple channels, and then have a number of Volcas all picking up the channel that is relevant to them. I use this to get multiple voices out of my Volcas and have my own Volca orchestra.

I don't know how much of an electrician you are, but if you have a multimeter, you can use it to figure out whether perhaps the M-Audio is sending low voltages that the Volca might not be reliably picking up.

It strikes me that it's also possible that the M-Audio is somehow not sending a useful Velocity value for each note signal, but I doubt it.

I hope that these thoughts help you.

sharksfin · Post by **sharksfin** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 2:10 pm

Tried this?

https://c.getsatisfaction.com/m-audio/t ... ed-working

I tried it but it still doesnt work for mine

fheo · Post by **fheo** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 4:29 pm

Thank you both for you ideas and suggestions.

I'll try this last thing before I'll decide to buy a Midi THRU so.

fheo · Post by **fheo** » Sat Apr 08, 2017 10:21 am

Does the product at the following link work Also as midi thru?

I mean if I use the midi in and midi out of the m-audio 2x2m

Thank you in advance

M-Audio M-Track 2X2M https://www.amazon.it/dp/B01FFH5YTO/ref ... 6yb96TMP6E