www.megadrum.info

Laptop running Windows 8.1

I just updated my Megadrum from the original Synthex 32 input board to the latest 56 input board from Dimitri with the ST processor

Everything is working properly but one area.

Midi out is working fine via the Midi port. Verified via connecting to one of my drum synths.

I connected Megadrum Manager using a M-Audio 4x4 usb to midi unit using the Midi ports on the Megadrum.

Midi out works from the Megadrum as I can see the midi code in Sendsysex on the laptop.

It would not load configuration from MD Manager to the Megadrum. I double checked wiring and verified the connections through to the 6N138. Everything is good but still can't load to unit. I can see the midi light flashing on the M-Audio 4x4 so it is being sent from the laptop.

I get a progress bar and then a Sysex timeout at 96%

In frustration tonight, I wired up an USB cable to the unit and tried to talk to it directly.

In MD Manager, in the midi configuration, the Megadrum shows up as a Real Time Sequencer.

Try to load configuration from MD Manager to the unit. Progress bar and again Sysex Timeout after 96% and no updated configuration in the unit.

This worked via midi with the older version of MD Manager and the old Synthex board. Am I missing something ?

Cycled the unit another time or two and got a Midi Init error. Went into the midi configuration and now it shows Megadrum as an input and output.

Finally able to load from MD Manger to Megadrum via USB but still leaves the question of why I can't via Midi.

When connected via standard MIDI ports you try to configure MegaDrum from MDM, does the MIDI LED flash?
If not, I can only suspect two things:
1. MIDI In on the main board is not wired correctly.
2. M-Audio 4x4 MIDI Out signal is too low for MegaDrum to recognize it.

I verified the wiring from the midi connector to both pin2 and pin3 on the 6n138 and it is correct. 220 ohms resistance from connector pin 4 to 6n138 pin 2. Short from connector pin 5 to 6n138 pin 3 and about 950Mohms across pin 2/3 in one direction and open in the reverse direction. This is consistent with what I measure on a spare 6n138 between pins 2/3

The midi light does not flash when sending info via the midi input port.

I can try running a yellow led in parallel with pins 2 and 3 on the 6n138 to verify that the signal is there. It should light the led I believe. If it does, that should indicate the the signal voltage should be high enough to be received.

I use the M-audio with various other synths and have had no problems.