Subject:Updating MCU firmware?

Posted by: MRe

Date:5/23/2006 12:22:29 PM

Hi,
just bought a 2'nd hand MCU for use in Acid and Vegas (Vegas being my main platform). The unit has firmware version 2.0 and Mackie has an update file to 2.1.1. The update file is in form of a MIDI-file and in order to make the update you are supposed to "play" it through MCU. For some reason I cannot (or have not managed to) play it in Acid. If I import to timeline, nothing shows; MIDI-track is created but it is empty and MIDI cannot be "drawn".

What I am missing here? Or should I just forget the upgrade? MCU seems to be working OK, except sometimes when I swap between apps, it gets confused and stops responsing. Also every time I close Acid 6.0, the display shows some random letters. When I close Vegas it says "Vegas 5.0 has been closed" or something like that. Is this normal?

Otherwise the equipment is awesome. When I bought it, I just tought that with it I can control volume and pan and get the transfer controls + jog wheel. Since I already have programmed my mouse to act as transport control and ShuttlePro 2 as jog wheel I was thinking of getting Behringer just for sliders. Then I read through the "What's new in Vegas 5" and its MCU-chapter and - damn! You can do anything with this piece of marvel. OK, most of the things are probably done quicker by mouse or keyboard but nevertheless!

BR,

//MRe

Subject:RE: Updating MCU firmware?

Reply by: pwppch

Date:5/23/2006 2:50:53 PM

ACID can't play this file out as it only contains SYSEX data. This is a limitation of how ACID imports MIDI files.

It will be addressed in an update.

In the mean time, you can use a tool like MIDI Ox to send this file to the MCU for update.

>>MCU seems to be working OK, except sometimes when I swap between apps, it gets confused and stops responsing<<

What do you mean by this?

ACID (and Vegas) will not permit you to share the MCU with other apps - even ACID and Vegas. That is, once you have ACID configured to use it, as long as ACID is running, you should not attempt to use the MCU with any other hosts.

ACID and Vegas "know" about each other and if one has grabbed the MCU, the other should refuse to connect. Are you saying that ACID and Vegas are competing for the MCU if they are both running?

Peter

Subject:RE: Updating MCU firmware?

Reply by: MRe

Date:5/24/2006 12:37:40 AM

Thanks for the info. I downloaded MIDI Ox and will do the update using it.

I couldn't reproduce the "competing situation" but this may be something special on my setup. And also cannot recall what I did when it stopped respondig. It may be also because I'm using MIDI to USB bridge and problem may be related to that.

Can you help me with the problem concerning scrambled display when exiting Acid. MCU display shows "C s d" (lots of space between characters). Is this normal?

Take 2: couldn't manage the update with the MIDI Ox, instead played the .mid-file through Windows Media Player 10 and update went ok. Still only "C s d" shown in display after Acid exit.

Subject:RE: Updating MCU firmware?

Reply by: pwppch

Date:5/24/2006 7:11:21 AM

>>Can you help me with the problem concerning scrambled display when exiting Acid. MCU display shows "C s d" (lots of space between characters). Is this normal?<<

No, not normal at all.

You should get a brief msg that ACID is exiting and then the display should go blank.

What MIDI hardware are you using - Manufacture and Driver version?

Peter

Subject:RE: Updating MCU firmware?

Reply by: MRe

Date:5/24/2006 9:58:32 AM

The USB <-> MIDI device is M-Audio Uno and driver is version 5.2.3.016.

It should be noted that the MCU display works OK when exiting Vegas or Ableton Live (versions 4 and 5.2).

After exiting Acid something flashes very quickly and only "C s d" is left. Is the text "ACID" by any change written in all caps. To me it seems that erasing the text is incomplete. The letter "C" is on 7'th segment, then there is approx 14 blank segments between it and "s" and another 6 between that and "d".

Subject:RE: Updating MCU firmware?

Reply by: Aciamaj007

Date:6/23/2006 2:50:05 PM

Saw the same issue on my MCU. Also I am having trouble installing the MCU and an Mackie Extender. I have gotten it toi work but I can't remember how I did it and it messes up a lot. Please advise on how to intsall the MCU and the Extender. I have a MOTU Midi Express XT and when I go to scan for the MCU if it does install the MCU then if I go to install the Extender XT it usually shows up as Midi in 2 Midi out 3 or some combination and I am only using 2 ports on the unit. Please help thanks!
Joe