ERM Midi Clock Zaq not responding to start stop messages

[munkee bParticipant]

Hi guys, I am having real issues with my Zaq. Everything has been working perfectly for over 6 months. running a full analog set up, although have been struggling with some midi timing issues. So I bought an ERM Midi Clock +. Everything in my set up runs lovely except the Zaq. Even if I take the Midi out direct from the ERM into the Zaq it will not receive start stop messages. I am at my wits end, I am relatively experienced with midi and have tried every option I can think of. I can start my whole setup with the ERM but it won’t trigger the Zaq, but if I press start on my TR-8 (with the existing set up) the Zaq starts and stops…..just dont understand. PLEASE help!!!!

[ChristianKeymaster]

Hi munkee b,

this is indeed weird.
The Zaquencer reacts to standard Midi clock messages. 0xFA for start, 0xFB for Stop, 0xFC for Continue, 0xF8 for clock pulse.

I have just checked out the manual of the ERM here:
http://www.e-rm.de/data/Midiclock_Manual_EN.pdf

It says that these are the messages that the ERM clock sends. The only different thing is a Song Position Pointer at the start, but this should just be ignored by the Zaquencer (or sent through, if that option is enabled).

Can you record a short start sequence from the ERM clock with a Midi monitor? Maybe it will give hints if anything else happens. Also if you could compare that recorded sequence to a recorded sequence of the TR-8 (which works) maybe we´ll be a step further.

Just to rule out the improbable, you are connecting the Zaquencer per Midi DIN cables?
Just asking because I also saw a USB port on the ERM clock.
Also, this is likely because you already got it to work with the TR-8, but the Zaquencer´s global clock setting is on “external”, right?

Do you see the midi in light blinking on the BCR when receiving Midi from the ERM? Can you try putting it on “through” (either with “clock out” or “midi through” global settings) and see what comes out on the other end? Does this through-put signal still trigger your other machines correct?

Cheers,
Christian

[ChristianKeymaster]

For example, this is a short sequence recorded from the MidiOX internal Midi Sync Transport, which works fine with the Zaquencer.

001014D0 MOX 2 F2 00 00 — — Song Position Ptr
00101CFA MOX 2 FA — — — — Start
00101D0A MOX 2 F8 — — — — Timing Clock
00101D19 MOX 2 F8 — — — — Timing Clock
00101D2D MOX 2 F8 — — — — Timing Clock
00101D3C MOX 2 FC — — — — Stop

[munkee bParticipant]

Hi Cristian,

Thanks for getting back promptly. My Mac is in the repair shop at the moment so unable to run midi Monitor, hence the Analogue set up.

The Zaq is set to external clock. The ERM is connected to USB for power only. All other devices are connected via midi/Din. All the Midi lights on the Zaq blink when I start the TR-8, and on my other connected devices (very odd). I set the output to through on the Zaq and the TR-8 sends Midi and I can hear an audible signal from my Moog Minitaur (plays the midi note information of the TR-8). It just does not want to start/stop…..On a couple of occasions a get a very brief blip from the Zaq, as if it is trying to start, but then it stops. I must admit I have not updated the firmware since I purchased it, but I doubt that this is the issue.

Very confusing?

Many Thanks
Munkee b

[ChristianKeymaster]

Ok I see… I´m a little confused as you wrote TR-8 a couple of times in your last post.
From your first post I gathered that it works with the TR-8, but not with the ERM, correct?

Without seeing the data it´s difficult to delve deeper.

One thing off the top of my head is that only the Zaquencer version 1.01 introduced reacting to “Midi Continue” commands. If you´re still on 1.00 it might be worth checking that out. Maybe your master clock makes intensive use of the continue commands? A long shot, but a possibility.

[munkee bParticipant]

Hi Christian,

I have been using the TR-8 as the master, which triggers the Zaq fine. I have used the Zaq as the master, which works fine. it is just when I introduce the ERM that things go wrong. Yes, the ERM triggers the TR-8, but not the Zaq, but if I press play on the TR-8 the Zaq works. I have tried every possible Midi configuration I can think of. I have tried to trigger my other units via the ERM individually and directly and they all start stop fine….

I will look at updating the version software.

Appreciate your ongoing support and would appreciate any other options you can think of.

Thanks
Munkee b

[munkee bParticipant]

Hi Christian,
Sorted! Updated to latest update 1.04 and everything is working perfectly!

Thanks for your ongoing support and a greeat product!

Thanks
Munkee b

[ChristianKeymaster]

Awesome, thanks for posting back here!

Cheers,
Christian

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