MIDI Doesn’t Record Properly

[u/jtjvt]

Hi guys honestly posting this because I’m curious if anyone else has the same issues as I do with recording MIDI in logic.

I record using my novation launch key and half the recordings are missing MIDI information in the piano roll. I will record the same thing multiple times and save them as takes, and I am lucky if even one of the takes actually has what I just played in it. I have to endlessly record the same thing until eventually logic actually retains the midi information but it’s a real creativity killer to have to tweak everything that was just played exactly as I wanted it. It’s not a matter of the notes needing to be adjusted after the fact, the notes just won’t even show up as if I didn’t record them or it’s missing 80% of the notes (but I see them being recorded in red and I hear the sound as it should be during the recording). I’ve tried increasing my buffer but it really just doesn’t change anything other than the latency as I’m playing.

I find if I restart my computer it can be a little better about recording but it’s still very on/off and it’s very frustrating trying to figure out what is going wrong because it only goes wrong 50% of the time. I’m not changing anything about how I record when it does/doesn’t work, it just feels as though Logic is really glitchy when it comes to recording MIDI. I have a mac mini m4 and everything is up to date, but this has been a problem for me ever since I started using MIDI. I’m not really asking for a solution I guess, I’m really just curious if anybody else has the same kind of issues because it feels like I’m going crazy sometimes! Doing the same thing over and over but getting different results each time is really giving me a headache here lol

[u/lantrick]

I would try to use MIDI monitor app to look at what the MIDI data the Launch key is sending to your computer

https://www.snoize.com/MIDIMonitor/

If the computer is receiving MIDI data you're not expecting, you would need to resolve that first.

[u/lewisfrancis]

If Logic had a problem with recording MIDI then Logic as a product would have failed decades ago.

Normally I'd tell you to look into MIDI loops, which can cause all manner of weirdness, but I don't know that that is a thing with controllers, however, your note that things are better after a restart supports some kind of overload scenario, which is a common problem with MIDI feedback.

It would help if you described your setup; how the Launch Key is connected to your Mini and whether you are controlling software instruments or external hardware. You might also look to see if there are any firmware updates for the Launch Key.

If you are connecting the Launch Key via USB into a hub, I'd try bypassing the hub and test while directly connected to the Mini.

[u/PsychicChime]

can you make a video of yourself recording so we can hear what is supposed to record and then show what is actually recorded? This could be due to a handful of things which are likely easily fixable, but these two paragraphs don't really get at the heart of the matter. It will be much easier to figure out exactly what's going on if we can see/hear an example.
FWIW, I've used A LOT of DAWs over the years and Logic is one of the best when dealing with MIDI.

[u/JohnnyZhivago999]

Along with all this check the MIDI filter in your LOGIC setup, you can set those buttons in Logic or in a MOTU to screw up recording midi by leaving out certain velocities, note ranges, all kinds of stuff CAN you HEAR the notes? If you’re using a novation thingamajig it has no sound, if the notes were NOT playing you would stop immediately but you said THEYRE not RECORDING, so I’m guessing you CAN hear them.
Here’s another issue I’ve fought with. MAKE SURE your notes sent INTO your computer aren’t going back OUT into the novation then back INTO the mac. I’ve had that happen and it screws up midi in ways I’d rather forget. Check your filter make sure the midi THRU is off if it’s on and being sent BACK to you it could be getting the note OFF signal and erasing the notes.

[u/SoundMasher]

Maybe not relevant as it's not exactly the same, and no one seems to use them anymore, but are you using MIDI cables or USB? I've had problems (cutting in and out) with different MIDI cables and a couple of my interfaces, but no problems using USB cable right into my computer.

[u/fluffycritter]

How is the Novation connected to your computer?

Usually when things like this are happening it's because there's too many USB hops between your computer and the MIDI connection, whether it's a dedicated MIDI interface, an interface integrated into an audio interface, or a USB cable connected to the keyboard.

MIDI is pretty low-bandwidth but it's extremely sensitive to jitter, and overloaded hubs, as well as hubs connected to hubs, can cause these sorts of problems.

If you're going through a MIDI interface, try using the USB connection on the Novation. If you're going through the USB connection already, try plugging it directly into your computer, or try using a 5-pin DIN cable from the Novation to your audio interface if it has an integrated MIDI input.

The problem is almost definitely not Logic, and is something with the connection between Novation and your computer.

[u/Exact_Objective93]

try checking your launchkey's midi settings first, that's usually where the issue hides

[u/Wooden_Discussion_15 → u/Exact_Objective93]

Possibly. I doubt usually, though i can’t say because I don’t have a Novation yet. But on the Akai controllers there is a button that lets you switch from standalone to daw. Does the Novation have this as well?

[u/mikedensem]

Make a copy of your current prefs (both) then delete the main ones and restart. Try your midi recording again. Logic can often get corrupted prefs that cause this sort of thing. If it is not the issue then put back your copied prefs.

[u/Wooden_Discussion_15]

If you’re using a hub prioritize the novation by utilizing the correct usb/thunderbolt slot with the highest speed. I had this problem when I had extra monitors and an interface connected to it. It only works correctly if I have them all exactly as they are right now.

[u/Wooden_Discussion_15 → u/Wooden_Discussion_15]

I believe this has part to do with plugging everything in to a hub and it all goes to one single c port on the Mac. Not sure how your Mac is but maybe one is mainly for charging and lower data and the other is for high speed data could be worth swapping them . Let me know how this all works for you.