Why are some sounds playing up a half step?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Why are some sounds playing up a half step?

I’m using the latest mainstage. Some sounds are playing up a half step while the rest are playing normal. I don’t recall changing any sort of global settings. The plug-ins that are playing up half step are from different 3rd party manufacturers. There is nothing in the patch or mainstage that seems to be set up a half step. Some sounds within a single patch are playing up a half step while other layers in the same patch play normal. Anyone else experience something similar?

Posted on Jun 25, 2024 1:47 PM

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Answer 1

Diegel Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 26, 2024 3:50 AM in response to tfromtroon

Yes happens in multiple concerts. I am able to fix the issue when I disconnect my keyboard (novation inpulse 61) and restart mainstage. When I use mainstage with it’s own built in software keyboard there is no problem at first however as soon as I connect the novation it doesnt matter wether I play from the hardware keyboard or internal software keyboard, some sounds are playing up a half step. Never experienced such a thing. I have to assume the novation is sending some kind of transpose message but why is it only affecting some sounds and not others? I did turn off aftertouch and restarted everything. That didn’t help.

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Answer 2

Jun 26, 2024 7:24 AM in response to Diegel

When you say "midi monitor" do you mean the display in MainStage or a separate app? I use MIDI Monitor freely downloadable from snoize. I suggest running that without MainStage running and with the keyboard connected; that will determine if the keyboard is sending pitch-bend. If it is, you could disassemble to keyboard to see if anything has gone wrong in the hardware (hopefully) or you could use MIDIpipe (google for it, it is also free) and block the pitch-bend; clearly this option means you cannot pitch-bend at all. Some instruments bend and some do not which might explain why what you are experiencing is not consistent across all instruments. Can you reload the firmware in your controller in case it has got corrupted?

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Answer 3

Diegel Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 26, 2024 8:00 AM in response to tfromtroon

The built in midi message monitor in mainstage. I updated the firmware in the controller but the issue remains. Luckily i have another day to return it so I think thats what I’ll do. I got it used from guitar center so will probably just buy a brand new one.

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Answer 4

Jun 26, 2024 8:09 AM in response to Diegel

That sounds like a good plan. I bought a Novation SL61MkII off eBay a number of years ago. Despite it being second hand, the support from Novation has been really good. Support on the firmware and the MIDI comms excellent. A recent accident broke the top "C" key. Novation provided a replacement at no charge! Best wishes.

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Answer 5

Jun 26, 2024 3:27 AM in response to Diegel

Is this behaviour happening in just one concert ?

Check if your keyboard has aftertouch that it is not that which is causing some instruments to shift pitch.

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Answer 6

Diegel Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 26, 2024 4:41 AM in response to tfromtroon

When I pull up the midi monitor it seems to be receiving pitch bend midi info as soon as I connect the keyboard. Maybe controller is broken?

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Answer 7

Diegel Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 26, 2024 10:02 AM in response to Diegel

Upon reading more reviews it seems these particular controllers are known to have this sort of problem.

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Answer 8

Jun 26, 2024 11:28 AM in response to Diegel

As I said, good plan to get rid as you have the option to do so. I got the SL for its Fatar keyboard and the amount of MIDI buttons and pots. See my post on OOelectronics on YouTube if interested.

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