Midi Isn't Working At All

Hello,
 
Recently nothing midi-related on my computer works. My sound card is a Creative SB X-Fi, and I have verified all cable connections, made sure MIDI wasn't muted, and re installed drivers. Below are additional problems:
 
1) MIDI plays fine in Windows Media Player
2) With Creative's SoundFont Bank Manager, my MIDI Keyboard (M-Audio KeyStudio) does not receive input, and if I click a key on-screen, there is no playback.
3) In Finale SongWriter 2010, when I load the program, I get an error: Default MIDI Output Device: Undefined External Error.
 
I have looked into this problem online and I have not found any answer or fix.
 
Live long and prosper,
TNThieding

 

Have you checked to see if this is a problem with your Keyboard? Is it possible you could connect it to another computer?
 
Another couple of things worth considering, if you move your Keyboard around is that the cable may be broke internally, or the connector on the back of your keyboard might be damaged, or loose.
 
But first things first, we need to know for definite if its, your PC, with the issue, or the Keyboard, if it turns out to be the Keyboard I have a couple of Musician friends who I can ask about good forums to get advice on

 

Researching your issue I found this and seems to have worked.
 
<span style="color:#ff0000; Backup your Registry if you intend to modify it.
 
QUOTE.
 
 
These steps require that you modify the windows registry.

NOTE: YOU SHOULD ONLY DO THIS WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU CAN CAUSE IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO YOUR SYSTEM IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY. PLEASE PROCEED WITH CAUTION AND GO THRU EACH STEP CAREFULLY!!!

Hold down function/Windows key and press the letter R. This will open the Run window.

Type in: regedit to open the Registry Editor

Press CTRL + F on the keyboard to open the search window. Copy and paste the following key in the “Find what” field.

4D36E96C-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318
(make sure there are no leading or trailing spaces)


There will be several registry keys that look very similar. You can confirm that the search function has located the correct key because the (Default) value is “Sound, video and game controllers” and the Class is “MEDIA”

Right-click in the right hand pane and choose New -> Multi-String Value
Under the Name column right-click “New Value” and select Rename and type UpperFilters (case-sensitive)

Double-click UpperFilters and under Value data: type ksthunk (case-sensitive)

Click File Exit to close the Registry Editor.
                                                                     UNQUOTE.

 

Thanks for responding. I have tried DSTM's solutioin before, and it didn't work. Also, I did ensure the keyboard is working fine by plugging it into a mac and trying it with GarageBand, any other ideas on what may be the issue?

 

Errm No
 
but
 
I did find that M-Audio have a user forum
 
and I found this thread, not sure if it applies to your specific Keyboard

 

Hi did you go back into the registry and check your changes stuck?
Where I got that Quote from, in the thread 3 people had the same problem as you and this fix  corrected all three. :smile2:

 

Have you checked the sound settings in your Control Panel to be sure that the system is properly set for recording and playback through the keyboard?

 

If all settings are correct as sugested by jaylach, and if the registry fix is as DSTM says it should be, but still not working, it may be the Creatives Sound blaster card itself faulty.
Try taking it out and if possible try it in another computer, or providing the keyboard has a USB midi connection, try it on the original sound system while the card is out.
 
I know the old Evolution keyboards came with both midi lead for sound card and also midi lead for USB, though the M Audio one may not. (Yep mine is an Evolution one)
 
Nev.