Midi stops suddenly until I relaunch Hauptwerk (v8)

[andersonxt]

Repeatedly, after 3 to 20 minutes of playing I suddenly have no sound. Pistons stop functioning.

On exiting Hauptwerk I get this message:

“Could not stop MIDI-IN port ‘Focusrite USB MIDI’. (Operating system message: Undefined external error., code: 1, hex 1.) Message code 3809.”

On closing that message, this appeared one time: “Could not open MIDI-IN port ‘Focusrite USB MIDI’. Make sure that the port is not in use by another program. (Operating system message: The specified device is already in use. Wait until it is free and then try again., code: 4hex: 4.) Message code 3807.”

When I close and then relaunch Hauptwerk, midi functions correctly, but again for just 3-20 minutes.

The console, which I bought ready-made, has 3 FME-1 Fatar DR Keyboard MIDI Encoders with small green and red lights. The greens are lit constantly, but the reds flicker rapidly at all times. (Is that normal?)

The problem appeared almost immediately after installation of a new computer and of a new midi power source. Thinking that I might have a loose connection, I checked the midi connection to my Focusrite 18i20 Gen 2, and it seems secure. Using a different midi connecting cable had no effect.

I connected an alternate audio device, another 18i20 Gen 2. No effect.

Ideas? Thanks.

[mdyde]

Hello Andersonxt,

Repeatedly, after 3 to 20 minutes of playing I suddenly have no sound. Pistons stop functioning.

On exiting Hauptwerk I get this message:

“Could not stop MIDI-IN port ‘Focusrite USB MIDI’. (Operating system message: Undefined external error., code: 1, hex 1.) Message code 3809.”

On closing that message, this appeared one time: “Could not open MIDI-IN port ‘Focusrite USB MIDI’. Make sure that the port is not in use by another program. (Operating system message: The specified device is already in use. Wait until it is free and then try again., code: 4hex: 4.) Message code 3807.”

When I close and then relaunch Hauptwerk, midi functions correctly, but again for just 3-20 minutes.

The problem will be that the computer is losing its connection to your MIDI interface for some reason, e.g. due to a USB device going to sleep, or a power supply issue.

Hauptwerk queries audio and MIDI devices when it launches. It doesn't support 'hot-plugging' devices'. If a device (e.g. a USB device) is disconnected, or gets put to sleep by the hardware/OS, or if another device connects, whilst Hauptwerk is actually running then the OS may change its logical devices around, potentially causing any devices that Hauptwerk might be using to stop working until Hauptwerk is restarted. Hence it's important that you don't plug in, or unplug, any devices whilst Hauptwerk is actually running -- you need to exit Hauptwerk before doing any of those things. Likewise it's important that the OS, and the BIOS (if a PC), don't try to put any devices to sleep whilst Hauptwerk is running, and that device connections don't get dropped for other reasons (e.g. insufficient/erratic power supply).

If you aren't physically plugging in or unplugging any devices yourself when the problems occur, and given that your MIDI device is stopping working and that restarting Hauptwerk solves it, almost certainly the problem will be that device connections are getting dropped, either due to being put to sleep, or due to some other hardware problem (e.g. insufficient/erratic USB power).

- Make sure you don't plug in, or unplug, any devices whilst Hauptwerk is running.

- If a PC: make sure that the latest BIOS is installed.

- Make sure that all available OS updates are applied, and that the latest versions of the drivers and firmware are installed for all of your devices, and especially so for any audio, MIDI, or USB devices, and (if a PC) for the motherboard's drivers. Check on their respective manufacturers' websites for the latest versions. Driver/firmware updates sometimes fix problems with device connections being dropped.

- If a PC: in the BIOS, make sure that any options for putting hardware to sleep (which may include general power-saving options) are disabled.

- If a PC: make sure that Windows is set to use the "High performance" power plan, and the option to put USB devices to sleep is disabled for it, as covered in bullet point 7 in the "Performance tuning | Other operating system and computer optimizations and diagnostics" section in the main Hauptwerk user guide (page 320 in the current v8.0 version).

- If a Mac, make sure that all macOS power-saving features are disabled, such as 'App Nap' (a.k.a. 'Power Nap'): https://www.lifewire.com/control-how-ma ... ap-2260788

- If those things don't fix it, and if possible, try connecting USB devices directly to the computer's built-in USB ports (rather than via a hub). If that isn't possible then make sure that any USB hubs being used are good quality (reputable brand) models with their own dedicated mains power supplies, and that they can supply more than sufficient power for the devices connected to them.

The console, which I bought ready-made, has 3 FME-1 Fatar DR Keyboard MIDI Encoders with small green and red lights. The greens are lit constantly, but the reds flicker rapidly at all times. (Is that normal?)

I have no experience with those encoders, but if the red and green lights are MIDI IN/OUT activity indicators, I'd suggest:

- Exit Hauptwerk.

- See whether the lights still show similar behaviour.

- If so, try try running MIDI-OX (http://midiox.com/ - for Windows) or Snoize MidiMonitor (for macOS) when Hauptwerk isn't running to see what MIDI messages the console is sending to the computer. E.g. perhaps there is insufficient power supply to an encoder, causing it to misbehave, or perhaps an expression pedal has some hysteresis, causing it to transmit values constantly.

[andersonxt]

Thank you, Martin, for the quick reply. Had I not been working only with Baroque organs, I would have discovered that the flashing red lights were caused by an expression pedal. Once opened and closed, the flashing stopped...but restarted once before being, I hope, long-term pacified.

François had provided and installed the computer, so I didn't need to worry about settings. After checking all connections, I tried alternative cables. After replacing the computer to Focusrite USB cable, I've had three error-free 1 hour practice sessions. I'm hopeful.

Thanks again.

[mdyde]

Thanks. Excellent -- hope that's fully solved it.