Recently, on January 11, I have a post about mLAN problems that arises when I’ve changed my laptop to new and significaly better configuration (MSI EX723 with Core2Duo 2.2GHz, 4Gb RAM, 500Gb HDD, 17” display).
Since I’ve realized that was due to the firewire chipset compatibility in built-in 1394 port, I’ve tried several external cards but with no result. I even tried all firewire hot fixes provided by Microsoft, both for XP SP2 and SP3.
Finally, I tested mLAN under Windows 7 and the result was the same, but driver installation was much shorter and easier on Win7.
Since I thought that maybe something wrong is with mLAN16E, I borrowed my previous laptop where mLAN works fine. And there it works without any issue, need for hotfix or anything else.
Last night, after upgrading BIOS on laptop, I tried mLAN again with Startech EC13942 card and found where the problem resides: maximum number of mLAN channels! Previosly I’ve worked with full mLAN settings as per picture from mLAN Connector in attachment. Now, when I set only 2 in and 2 out channels, everything works fine! Communication between Motif and John Melas’ Performance editor (that was my first check point) now works as expected.
My question is what I should do now to increase number of channels, since I tried to see where is the limit and it is as I said 2in 2out. Should I use Graphic patchbay and reduce number of MIDI channels. I’m using port1 (16ch), port2 (3ch for 3 PLG boards), port3 (1ch for Cubase) and port4 (1ch for MultiEditor).

Alex

P.S. If there are interested people, I could post or send all informations regarding these firewire issues that I had and several peoples (posts from Motifator and mLANcentral).

Click thumbnail to see full-size image

I don’t like to reply to myself, but since no one replied I would like just to share the latest investigation results that should be very interesting for others that have similar problems with mLAN.
As I said, I have used Autoconnector for setting my mLAN and PC, since I have only one device except PC in my mLAN network. That procedure is suggested both in mLAN User guide and Power guides from Bad Mister.
But last night, I’ve tried Graphic patchbay and found very unusual thing: settings are DIFFERENT from those in Autoconnector!!!! The main difference is that in Autoconnector master word clock was set to PC, but in Graphic patchbay was Motif!
After that suprising discovery, I’ve started to check everything from Patchbay:
1) MIDI channels are set correctly (4 ports both on Motif and PC).
2) Wordclock is set to PC as master and Motif as slave and sample rate is 44.1kHz.
3) I’ve now increased number of audio outputs on Motif to the maximum 16ch, while inputs could be only 4ch (2 stereo channels).
When I’ve increased that number, I received Error in wordclock on Motif.
Finaly, the most suprising thing is that after all changes performed in Patchbay, the number of channels in Autoconnector are still the same: 2 inputs and 2 outputs!!! Strange?
Since I have checked different OS’s (Windows XP Pro, both SP2 and SP3 and Windows 7), I think that problem is not with OS, but on relation mLAN driver and new processors and their chipsets.
Information on http://www.yamahasynth.com about “Incompatibility with Intel series 5 chipset” gave me idea for such a suspection.
Maybe someone from Yamaha could suggest us what we should do.
At last, I’ve tried my music software (Cubase 5.1, editors, softsynhts) and everything now works correctly, but with reduced input channels.

Alex

Just FYI, there are no different parameters in the Auto Connector and the Graphic Patchbay… They both address the connection of nodes… you can configure either one.

Auto Connector - only connects two nodes… making the number of connections you select
Graphic Patchbay - can connect two or more nodes… and is completely user patchable

In either one you can make any node the Master clock. Obviously in Auto Connector you have only the PC and your mLAN16E, while in the Graphic Patchbay you could have multiple devices.

With Wordclock the mLAN16E can only be master clock at 44.1kHz but can slave to all the other available sample rates (48k, 88.2k, 96k)

The number of INPUTs and OUTPUTs is configurable in both.

Error messages, in the Graphic Patchbay can often be cleared by clicking “APPLY”

Use one or the other, don’t expect to see the changes you make in the Patchbay represented in the AUTO CONNECTOR… Auto Connector disconnects and reconnects from scratch every time you launch it. It AUTOMATICALLY connects.

After using the AUTO CONNECTOR, if you then open the Graphic Patchbay, it will show exactly what you configured in the Auto Connector - but never the other way round.

In other words: the AUTO CONNECTOR disconnects anything you previous setup in the Graphic Patchbay and simply reconnects according to its window.

Once you have connected (with either one) you do not have to do it the next time. mLAN settings persist, in other words they will re-establish the last connection when you power up the next time.

Use one or the other, don’t expect to see the changes you make in the Patchbay represented in the AUTO CONNECTOR… Auto Connector disconnects and reconnects from scratch every time you launch it. It AUTOMATICALLY connects.

After using the AUTO CONNECTOR, if you then open the Graphic Patchbay, it will show exactly what you configured in the Auto Connector - but never the other way round.

In other words: the AUTO CONNECTOR disconnects anything you previous setup in the Graphic Patchbay and simply reconnects according to its window.

Yes, I know that and that’s why I was supprised when I saw different settings in Auto Connector and Patchbay.
Furthermore, I made changes in Patchbay, applied them and saved in a file, than I opened Auto Connector and both input and output channels are only two! And my system behave as per settings done in Patchbay.
I’ve spent several hours (hopefuly not in one day) trying to set up mLAN that already works on previous computer, but I didn’t realize that number of channels could be such a problem.

Alex

Just FYI, there are no different parameters in the Auto Connector and the Graphic Patchbay… They both address the connection of nodes… you can configure either one.

BM, I would like just to add this to clarify:
I took screenshots of Graphic Patchbay (mLAN_GP1,2,3) and Auto Connector (mLAN_AC) and attached as JPG files.
It could be seen that settings ARE DIFFERENT.
Why? Well, that’s my question from the start.

Alex

Click thumbnail to see full-size image

Sorry, maybe I’m not communicating my point clearly.

If you setup using the AUTO CONNECTOR (as I’m sure you know) it will establish:

1) the Sample Rate and Master clock device
The Sample Rates available will be a function of what you select as a MASTER clock. If the Motif ES is master clock you will only be able to work at 44.1kHz. If the computer or other node is master clock you will have options available according to that node: 48, 88.2 or 96kHz

2) the number of audio channels running from the computer to the mLAN16E (you select how many: 2, 4, 6 or 8)

3) the number of audio buses from the mLAN16E going to the computer. (you select how many: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 or 14)

4) Unseen… but it also establishes all 4 of the MIDI PORT IN/OUT connections

And it does this automatically.

The Auto Connector shown in your screen shot reports no available connection between the computer node and the mLAN16E. This is, of course, a major problem. Maybe I’m not understanding your dilemma - can you not select any audio connections PC > Motif ES in the Auto Connector?

I made changes in Patchbay, applied them and saved in a file, than I opened Auto Connector and both input and output channels are only two! And my system behave as per settings done in Patchbay.

But here is my point: If you use the AUTO CONNECTOR to establish the communication between Motif ES and computer. Then open the GRAPHIC PATCHBAY - it will accurately reflect what you established with the AUTO CONNECTOR.

But this does not work the other way round. If you use the Graphic Patchbay to establish the routing, then close it… and open the AUTO CONNECTOR - you are starting from scratch (all over again) - it breaks all connections and then re-establishes them according to how you setup the AUTO CONNECTOR.

The screenshot, cannot be connected as it has no audio between the PC and the Motif ES… this is why CONNECT is not available (greyed out)… I assume this is what you are saying is the problem.

Well, then my question is: You show the Graphic Patchbay AUDIO, MIDI and Word Clock setups… do these work?

Bad_Mister - 18 March 2010 02:15 PM

The screenshot, cannot be connected as it has no audio between the PC and the Motif ES… this is why CONNECT is not available (greyed out)… I assume this is what you are saying is the problem.

Well, then my question is: You show the Graphic Patchbay AUDIO, MIDI and Word Clock setups… do these work?

Yes, all these work as per screenshots from Graphic Patchbay!
And I don’t have to open the AUTO CONNECTOR before I’m starting to work with mLAN again.
Honestly, I found this unusual behavior accidentaly, because I know from guides that all settings both from AUTO CONNECTOR and Graphic Patchbay should be the same for one instrument in mLAN network. Obviosly they are not the same and I don’t know why.
But, it doesn’t matter, since I’m working with mLAN again. The most important thing that I get 16outs, but I could use only 4ins (2 stereo inputs). Fortunately, that’s enough for most my projects.

Alex

I’m still not sure I get your issue.

If you need to increase the number of OUTPUTS from the Computer node to the Motif ES node, you must click on the computer icon in the middle of the computer node to open the NODE Information winodw… change the number of OUTS…

Let us know.

Bad_Mister - 21 March 2010 10:25 PM

I’m still not sure I get your issue.

If you need to increase the number of OUTPUTS from the Computer node to the Motif ES node, you must click on the computer icon in the middle of the computer node to open the NODE Information winodw… change the number of OUTS…

Let us know.

BM,

I know how to increase the number of outputs and I’ve tried to do that. But, when I select more than 4 outs (two stereo channels from computer to ES), than mLAN stop to work!?
I could see Error on Wordclock block (blue button in the middle of the block). Also, I’ve found that Melas’ Performance Editor could not recognize ES on mLAN MIDI channels. When I decrease number of outputs to max 4, than everything works again!
Since I’m now working with mLAN again (after lots of tries and investigations), I would like just to share this info with other users that have or could have same issues with mLAN and the latest laptop computers.

Alex

Alex, going back to your original post in this thread, you mentioned you had MLAN on the ES6 working with Windows 7. Was that using 64-bit Windows 7? Any updates on how well this is working currently? I’m getting a new laptop shortly and still debating on whether I want to try configuring MLAN on it, given that it is an unsupported configuration.

Thanks,

Chuck