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Hello Friends,
I'm trying to set up my MODX8 to have individual parts in a performance controlled by an external MIDI controller. I'm having difficulty troubleshooting why my process isn't working. I'm trying to use a Roland GAIA SH-01 as my MIDI controller, and it could simply be an issue with the GAIA. Is there a way to see if the MODX is registering the GAIA as a MIDI controller in the first place?
In my Utility settings, Zone Master is ON, MIDI I/O mode is "Multi"
My MIDI cable is plugged into MIDI OUT on the GAIA, and MIDI IN on the MODX.
In my performance, I've assigned the part that I want played externally to Part 8, corresponding to MIDI Channel 8 (as I understand it). On my GAIA, I've set my MIDI transmission to Channel 8 as well. I've turned Keyboard Control OFF for this part on the MODX. I turned my Zone "On" in the Zone Settings within the part.
Am I missing anything here?
Thank you!
Posted : 27/07/2025 8:24 pm
You may not have listed this because it was a given, but worth adding that the keyboard should be in MIDI (5-pin) and not USB mode. You can see this "at a glance" at the top line of your touchscreen. There's either going to be the USB logo in the upper right (USB mode):
Or there's going to a 5-pin DIN Icon which will look similar to this:
Just so you know, the keyboard doesn't have to be in Multi-Channel MIDI mode since having Zone Master turned on and any single (or more) Parts' Zone setting turned on will force Multi-Channel MIDI mode even if the mode is set to single or hybrid. Just an FYI (and doesn't change anything per your configuration).
The other piece of information that's critical to operation is the setting for the "Int Sw" setting within Part Settings -> Zone Settings for Part 8. "Int Sw" needs to be turned on so that the tone generator will sound for this Part.
Current Yamaha Synthesizers: Montage Classic 7, Motif XF6, S90XS, MO6, EX5R
Posted : 28/07/2025 5:57 pm
Topic starter
Hi Jason, thank you for your response. Yes, I have my MODX in "MIDI" mode, not USB mode. I also have "Int SW" turned on within the part settings! Still no sound or recognition of the GAIA, unfortunately.
Posted : 28/07/2025 8:58 pm
Topic starter
Interesting development, the GAIA is working seamlessly for controlling most sounds in my performances, just not the sounds I'd like it to! Specifically, it is not able to control my Initialized synth sounds that I created from scratch.
Posted : 28/07/2025 9:12 pm
If you can put say CFX Stage (a 1 Part preset Performance) into Part 8 of your Performance you've been working with and it works then you'd need start looking at things outside of the basic MIDI configurations as the culprit assuming you have all of the settings in Part 8's (Part) Zone configuration the same.
Not expecting this to help necessarily, but on the GAIA you may want to make sure these system settings (MIDI) are OFF:
TX Program Change
TX Bank Select
TX Edit Data (this one just for paranoia)
I'm not sure if Part 8 has any arpeggio on MODX you're using. There would be some considerations to be made if this were the case.
Otherwise, I would probably start to get to the point where having the Performance uploaded to Soundmondo (even if you were using custom waveforms) would be in order to get on the same page with you.
Current Yamaha Synthesizers: Montage Classic 7, Motif XF6, S90XS, MO6, EX5R
Posted : 01/08/2025 8:31 am
Are you saying the problem is something within your own part?
Interesting development, the GAIA is working seamlessly for controlling most sounds in my performances, just not the sounds I'd like it to! Specifically, it is not able to control my Initialized synth sounds that I created from scratch.
If you do NOTHING but change the part from External to Internal can you play it on the Modx itself properly?
Precisely what do you mean by 'not able to control my Initialized synth sounds'?
How do you know it isn't being controlled? Is it because you do not hear any sound?
One of the MOST COMMON causes of 'not working' complaints is a control assignment that is configured in a way that shuts down the volume so you don't hear the part. A control assignment doesn't have to be being used to cause an issue - just the assignment itself, in combination with the 'curve' and mode (Uni, Bi) being used are enough to cause the problem
Could that be the issue? If so check all of the control assignments.
If so that means your user part has one, or more, settings that prevent it from working.
1. put a simple part into part 8 that you can control the way you want
2. copy that part to part 7 and put YOUR part into part 8
3. confirm that you can NOT control part 8 that contains YOUR part
4. compare the basic MIDI settings of part 7 and part 8 to find out which setting is different.
Other tests/questions:
1. Is part 8 the ONLY part number that YOUR part doesn't work in?
2. Does your part work if you put it in part slot 1,2,3,4,5,6,7?
3. Post details about YOUR part that isn't working in part slot 8 -engine type (AWM2, FM-X), control assignments, etc
Please post and let us know what you find when you check the control assignments, play the part as an internal part and test the part in different slots. The slot position is not likely to be the issue.
Posted : 01/08/2025 3:13 pm
Topic starter
Thank you Jason and Toby for your responses.
I discovered that I am able to play newly created user parts as expected with the external controller, but cannot play pre-existing user parts. I'm sure it has something to do with the part settings, but I haven't intentionally changed any settings between the pre-existing user parts and my new user parts. I'm in the middle of busy wedding season preparing a lot of patches, so I've found it faster to simply re-make all of my user parts from scratch and it's working great! Just very tedious.
For the sake of learning, and maybe helping someone else out in the future, I'm happy to continue investigating here.
Jason, I went through and turned off all of the TX settings on my GAIA, doesn't seem to make a difference. Also my user parts in question do not utilize the arpeggiator, but I turned ARP OFF just to try it out, no difference.
Toby:
Yes, it appears to be an issue within my own part. The GAIA is working completely as intended as a MIDI device, controlling Part 8 for preset parts and new user parts. My issue is that pre-existing user parts do not sound when in Part 8 and controlled by the GAIA. These user parts are made with both the AWM2 and FM-X engines, I'm honing in on an AWM2 user part for this investigation.
I went through your checklist, putting preset parts (like CFX, Nu Hybrid EP) into Part 8. These parts sound when controlled by the GAIA. When I copy my own pre-existing user part into Part 8, it no longer sounds. I'm not sure how to compare the MIDI settings of each part, it seems that both parts have the "Zone" OFF. Turning the Zone ON in my user part has no effect on the issue.
My user part is not sounding in any Part on the performance when played by the GAIA, not just Part 8. I've tried copying it to other parts, and adjusting the GAIA's MIDI Channel accordingly (i.e. User part is in MODX Part 7, GAIA MIDI is set to trasmit over Channel 7). The user part sounds when played by the MODX in all Parts of the performance.
There are a few Control Assignments on this part: InsB LfoSpd set to the Mod Wheel, Destination 4 "InsB Dry/Wet", Destination 6 "Rev Send", Destination 12 "InsB LfoSpd, Destination 13 "Volume", and Destination 14 "Var send"
Posted : 01/08/2025 4:11 pm
Check that 'Destination 13 "Volume"' assignment. Historically that is the most common cause of the issue you report.
This is one way your issue can present itself.
1. Set mod wheel to 0
2. Init Normal (AWM2)
3. Edit part 1
4. go to 'Part Settings->General' screen
5. set volume to 0
6. press the Control Assign button on the front panel and move the mod wheel slightly
7. Note the control assignment parms: curve, Polarity (Uni/Bi), ratio
The part won't sound because the mode wheel is at 0 and has been assigned to control volume.
The values for 'curve, polarity, ratio' can further complicate when sound will occur. Set the ratio to negative and you may not get a sound no matter where you position the mod wheel.
That is just one example.
Some of those other control destinations (e.g. Rev Send, Var Send) can also alter or reduce the sound level depending on the controller position and those same curve/polarity/ratio values.
The simplest test to see if a control assignment is the issue is to just delete the assignment. Make sure you save the performance first.
Posted : 01/08/2025 5:28 pm
Could be a lot of things. Could be note ranges/limits, velocity limits. Could be something with the motion control matrix which is being discussed with these source and destination links. Could be the Part's output setting (main l&r vs off vs ...). If you can upload a non working Performance to soundmondo and make it public then some poking around can be done. If you haven't used soundmondo before you may be in for a rough ride or hopefully get lucky. Using an iPad+app is easier than a PC(Mac or windows)+Web.
Current Yamaha Synthesizers: Montage Classic 7, Motif XF6, S90XS, MO6, EX5R
Posted : 02/08/2025 3:09 am
Joel reacted
