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[dkatz]

I use 9.2.2 mainly (only really) to run Mark of the unicorn's professional composer program.
I'm using an MOTU USB micro express.
Not sure it's still working right, and wonder: which of MOTU's other multi-channel MID interfaces will work in 9.2.2 as I'm thinking of being another. Could be another Micro express, but there are a lot of other models: I just don't want to run into issues.

[refinery]

MIDI Timepiece AV, both serial and USB versions should work fine
Micro Express

I would recommend avoiding MIDI express XTs, not all versions are OS9 compatible, and I know at least one hardware revision will completely mangle sysex data.

I have four MTP AVs myself. They are (mostly) rock solid. I only say mostly as in 2024, if you buy one, it's probably needing a new CMOS battery if it hasn't been replaced already.

[dkatz]

Thanks for the info.
What am i better off with: timepiece or micro express.
I only use MIDI to playback notation files I'm working on; none of the more sophisticated things that it's capable of, no "timing" issues, etc. I got by for DECASES on Fast lane....
I have been using MIDI for good lord! THIRTY NINE YEARS!

[refinery]

Can you elaborate a bit on why you think it might not be working correctly?

[dkatz]

I only use it with MOTU's Composers Mosaic.
If you're not familiar with it, each stave of notated music has a "voice', which is a MIDI track.  I've added new things a few times, but mostly I have been using the same setup for over 25 years...
In the MOTU software, I can choose what synth a voice is playing through, one which MIDI channel, and which sound from that synth (provided that it's in MOTu's database, which covers the ancient syths I'm mostly using.
And it's always been a pretty much flawless system. Until lately, sometimes the right synths sounds aren't getting selected. Could it be the computer? The synth itself? Or the interface.
So actually the problem could be something else,
In which case: i don't mind having a second device anyway, as: I am committed to using this stuff into the future, and it will get harder and harder to find things that work with it. Is why I have 3 G4s and think that i should get another.
The used MOTu interfaces I'm seeing on Reverb.com aren't very expensive.

[robespierre]

If the problem is with the synth, it's largely unknowable based on the information so far. Most synths have a "Global Setup" page with options to allow or block SysEx or Program messages. SysEx is required to download patches to the synth and Program messages are required to select patches from the banks in the synth.

The MOTU MIDI interfaces also have the ability to block or reroute MIDI messages based on their type, so for instance they can block or allow SysEx or Program messages to certain ports or all ports. This is setup using the ClockWorks "Muting" menu. It may also be affected by the Channel Map or Routing menus.

If the synths or the interface have batteries to keep their memory settings, either one could have become depleted and lost the settings used before.

[dkatz]

Where I find the clockworks muting menu? I don't know that I have clockworks...is that an MOTU application?
I'm very unsophisticated with micro express: I use it as if it's a larger fast lane.

[refinery]

If everything was working fine and then it started acting up, then my suspicion would be the midi interface. Buuut, there's some trivia you might not be aware of...
These MOTU interfaces use backup batteries to store settings. When the batteries inevitably die, the units will start acting up. It's a standard CR2032 watch battery,

The downside here is that if you had any custom setups saved in the MOTU, they are probably lost, in which case you'll need to rebuild them with Clockworks, or via the MOTU panel.

https://motu.com/techsupport/technotes/document.1999-08-30.5046010606

[dkatz]

the Midi express has a battery in it?

[dkatz]

I looked at the article, but my micro express doesn't have a display window.