Can't Get MK-4902 to Work With SeaSound

[bongolation]

I recently bought a SeaSound SoloEX and a MK-4902 MIDI controller. I was trying to set up the controller last night. No luck.

This should be dead simple: The MK-4902 just has the MIDI out jack, which went to the SeaSound MIDI in. The controller powers up and seems to function, but I cannot get anything to work.

I assume from the very scanty docs that the SeaSound inputs MIDI to the computer without further hardware. For test purposes, I'm using the Cubasis software included with the SeaSound. The docs are not clear on what needs to be done, but I have followed what setup instructions as there are as best I can. I assume this is a configuration problem...though it is possible that there is some bad hardware. There's no telling.

Any help with this will be appreciated.

 

[DavidK]

bongo, I am confused. What are you trying to play, soft synths,
or SB sounds?

How are you connecting the Seasound to the Computer?

I would guess you dont have the settings right in cubase, just a guess.

 

[bongolation]

bongo, I am confused. What are you trying to play, soft synths,
or SB sounds?

Nothing at this point - I'm just trying to get the controller recognized by the hardware and software. Or anything, come to that.

How are you connecting the Seasound to the Computer?

The SeaSound connects through its own PCI card.

I would guess you dont have the settings right in cubase, just a guess.

I think maybe I have it misconfigured in the OS as well. Anyway, I have to start from bedrock, as I'm already getting bluescreens and the OS no longer shuts down, thanks to some piece of software or other I've installed.

Windows...jeeze...

 

[bongolation]

As inconceivable as it may sound, I'm beginning to think this controller is bad. It was an opened box and it may be some stone dead return.

I've reinstalled everything from a fresh HD format and the identical problem obtains. Nothing can find the controller, and the MIDI light on the SeaSound that is supposed to indicate MIDI input doesn't light except when I turn the controller on and off. IT flicks on once, then nada.

Guess I'll sclep this back down to GC and have them switch it out with one of these controllers they have operating as a demo on the floor and see if it works. If so, then it's something else.

My take is that I should be seeing the MIDI light do something even if nothing is coming out the other end.

 

[bongolation]

# As inconceivable as it may sound, I'm beginning to think this
# controller is bad. It was an opened box and it may be some
# stone dead return.

My instincts are vindicated again!

Took it back to GC to have them check it and it was indeed stone dead, though all the lights and functions did their things.

Gave me a brand new one and I'm back in business.

Lots of configuration to do, but it works!

 

[vulcanofga]

I went through 3 mk-4902's before I got a good one!I must say that for the money,now that mine is working,I am pleased.I just hope it is put together to last until I can get a wieghted 88 key supercool keyboard.

Monty,

 

[Brad]

Just adding that I bought the 4901 first - was bad - took it back and got a 4902 (they didn't have another 4901) and that also was bad - I took that one back and went with a different brand. I'm sure the 4902 is decent - if you can find one that works.
I guess every day is Friday where those are built.

Bong, are you in So. Cal? Maybe you got the one I took back! I wouldn't put it past GC to just stick the bad units right back on the shelf.

 

[Brad]

Kaysound.

Should rename themselves NaySound.

That whole experience (described above) is one of the contributing factors in my now lifelong boycott of Guitar Center - the salesman was a total jack ass - he couldn't understand why I wanted to check that the second one worked before I left the store (Dude, it's a different model, you'll have no problems with this one) and funny thing is that it DID work in the store. It did not when I got home. I guess I shouldn't have taken the bumpy road home. The same salesdork couldn't understand why I ended up going with the different brand.

 

[bongolation]

These are made somewhere in China and marketed under a half-dozen different brands. Most are sold as Evolution MK-149s.

The box is a generic one with a blank spot for the brand name, which is then stuck on to order. Funny...

Supposedly, this is the most popular one MIDI controller on the planet.

I hadn't heard of any trouble with them up until now. They have them all over the floor at my local GC controlling various devices and claim pretty good luck with them. The one I have now seems to work OK.

I wouldn't be surprised if these are somehow screwed up in shipping. I'm amazed at how badly stuff is kicked around these days, and these controllers don't seem to be all that well-packed.