Help!? Is a Midi/joystick port bad news?

[bayoucount4]

Hey all,
Here is my situation, any advice/help would be appreciated. I'm using various computer software sequencers (tried cakewalk, cubase, and a few other cheap-o's) to export midi to my sound module via the game/joystick/midi port of my CPU.


No matter how I set it up, there are large amounts of hissing/noise. How can I stop this???


I've already searched this forum and done everything suggested on xp.net, midi.com, etc. Nothing, to this point, has worked. I know it is not my sound module or the sequencer. I turned off everything on my computer and just left the midi cables plugged into module and STILL got the hissing. Also, the sound module plays crystal-clear when I just use it with a keyboard trigger.


Should I try a shorter midi cable? A better sound card (I have some lame SIS [integrated card] running now)? Please help, I just spent $400 bucks on a nice Roland sound module and can't use it with my computer without noticable and distracting hiss. Thanks.

[ProFool]

there is no reason why your midi setup would affect the audio other than the slight possibility you "literally"have your wires crossing over one another and dont use balanced cables.
it sounds to me like you need to get a better sound card, it will make such a big diffrence youll be shocked.
what cables do you use? and what sound module is it?

[James Argo]

And would you please explain your MIDI setup ?
I'm assuming PC MIDI Out (joystick/MIDI port) --> Sound module MIDI in, right ? then where do you route module's audio out ? Did you use external mixers ? Relax, I've never had any bad time using them (joystick/MIDI port & external modules) for loong looong years So we know it should can be worked out


Jaymz

[bayoucount4]

Thanks for quick responses.

My setup is such:


I run midi out through the joystick port to my sound module, then I run regular 1/4" audio wires out of my sound module into various devices (Roland 1680, Zoom 1044, keyboard amp). No matter how I set it up, lots of hiss.


Equipment: I have a 6' cable that has one male and one female 15-pin hook up and on the other end a midi out and midi in. I use several different sound modules. For this project, I'm basically using a standard Roland JV-1010.


My sound card is a SIS 730S (16MB). I'm also running XP on a 1.2GHZ AMD Athlon with 496MB RAM. Any suggestions on a sound card that will change anything? (Please, no $200 one's. All my money has already gone towards a vintage Gretsch).


Thanks.

I was thinking of trying Roland's USB/MIDI interface, might that help?

[AlChuck]

MIDI messages are not audio data and will not cause hissing or noise. It is simply data that tells the MIDI-compliant sound module what to play. Another MIDI interface won't change that. The hissing has some other source.

Did you try playing the sound module straight out to an amp and speakers? Was there noise and hiss then?

If you have set levels improperly, that could make for a noisy result.

[ProFool]

the only other explination I can think of is that you have a short circuit somewhere, possibly on the sound/midi card.
if so it would literally be one smeging little diode or something which you'l probably never be able to spot with the un aided eye.
this can be caused by many things such as rough handling or static "when installing you have to hold it like you would a c.d. round the edges so you dont touch any of the circuits, fuses etc".
are your audio leads crossing power leads? that might be worth checking.

[James Argo]

Originally posted by AlChuck
MIDI messages are not audio data and will not cause hissing or noise. It is simply data that tells the MIDI-compliant sound module what to play. Another MIDI interface won't change that. The hissing has some other source.

...Almost true But, in particular old MIDI devices, it's indeed causing some digital noises. It's NOT MIDI system's fault at all, but the sound module's internal circuit responding to incoming MIDI connections. Almost unheard, but in recording session, it will be very annoying spot. I still have it Korg O5R/W connected via MIDI to my DAW. If I unpluged the MIDI cable from my PC, the hiss is gone However, if I connect it to my keyboard (MIDI controller) it's gone. And I've tried connect it with various PCs. Same story. So I think (even very rare case) you must also keep your eye on the module, specially if it's an old model


Jaymz

[AlChuck]

Sounds like a short involving the MIDI jack. But even so, then changing the MIDI interface would still do nothing, since it's a bad connection on the module side.

[acorec]

Originally posted by bayoucount4
Thanks for quick responses.

My setup is such:


I run midi out through the joystick port to my sound module, then I run regular 1/4" audio wires out of my sound module into various devices (Roland 1680, Zoom 1044, keyboard amp). No matter how I set it up, lots of hiss.


Equipment: I have a 6' cable that has one male and one female 15-pin hook up and on the other end a midi out and midi in. I use several different sound modules. For this project, I'm basically using a standard Roland JV-1010.


My sound card is a SIS 730S (16MB). I'm also running XP on a 1.2GHZ AMD Athlon with 496MB RAM. Any suggestions on a sound card that will change anything? (Please, no $200 one's. All my money has already gone towards a vintage Gretsch).


Thanks.

I was thinking of trying Roland's USB/MIDI interface, might that help?

You have to turn off all unused inputs and outputs of your soundcard. Only turn on the used input/output.

[James Argo]

Originally posted by acorec
You have to turn off all unused inputs and outputs of your soundcard. Only turn on the used input/output.

It's not necessarily, but advicely



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