Potentially Stupid Controller Question!

[Wilty]

I recently broke my eBay embargo and purchased the Korg Legacy Collection with MS20 controller. This was largely for novelty value (I know the controller isn't all that by all accounts) but thought the patch leads and all would give me a good understanding of the basics of synthesis, at least more than your average softsynth/controller. I downloaded all the latest drivers and updates but had to use the USB lead from my Xio25 as the original was missing. The drivers installed (or not, but then I got the new ones on) and the hardware registered but wouldn't power on. I tried every usb port on my laptop but the light just wouldn't light. I thought this was a little weird.
I have ordered a powered usb hub (not just to see if this works with more juice as it doesn't have a mains outlet, but because I need one anyway) and a new usb cable, but can anyone think of a reason that it would register as connected etc but not turn on...Is there something I've missed? Or have I now having an opportunity for a rather unconventional yet interesting modern art piece?

[sureno]

Originally Posted by Wilty

I recently broke my eBay embargo and purchased the Korg Legacy Collection with MS20 controller. This was largely for novelty value (I know the controller isn't all that by all accounts) but thought the patch leads and all would give me a good understanding of the basics of synthesis, at least more than your average softsynth/controller. I downloaded all the latest drivers and updates but had to use the USB lead from my Xio25 as the original was missing. The drivers installed (or not, but then I got the new ones on) and the hardware registered but wouldn't power on. I tried every usb port on my laptop but the light just wouldn't light. I thought this was a little weird.
I have ordered a powered usb hub (not just to see if this works with more juice as it doesn't have a mains outlet, but because I need one anyway) and a new usb cable, but can anyone think of a reason that it would register as connected etc but not turn on...Is there something I've missed? Or have I now having an opportunity for a rather unconventional yet interesting modern art piece?

how have you "tried" it? using the legacy standalone stuff or through a vst host such as cubase?

[Wilty]

Originally Posted by sureno

how have you "tried" it? using the legacy standalone stuff or through a vst host such as cubase?

I have indeed, both standalone and in Cubase4. I also plugged my Xio in an the software picked up the key presses fine so its definitely not the cable as the Xio is also bus powered. I'm pretty sure it must have picked up a knock from parcel force or something but thought I'd clutch a few straws before I gave up on it.

[sureno]

Originally Posted by Wilty

I have indeed, both standalone and in Cubase4. I also plugged my Xio in an the software picked up the key presses fine so its definitely not the cable as the Xio is also bus powered. I'm pretty sure it must have picked up a knock from parcel force or something but thought I'd clutch a few straws before I gave up on it.

so C4 doesn't recognise the key presses on the korg?

[Wilty]

Nope, and won't recognise there is anything plugged in. The little power LED doesn't light up on the controller. Yet Windows and installed the drivers. I'm kinda hoping there just isn't enough power, or the lead is incompatible, but I'm not sure.

[sureno]

Originally Posted by Wilty

Nope, and won't recognise there is anything plugged in. The little power LED doesn't light up on the controller. Yet Windows and installed the drivers. I'm kinda hoping there just isn't enough power, or the lead is incompatible, but I'm not sure.

not sounding good man!!! is there a socket for aux power on the back of it? have you seen if C4 will see it in the set up window where in lists all your MIDI connections?

[Wilty]

I've not yet played around with C4's midi connections window properly (still not able to set up properly due to being between homes atm) but referenced the manual and it didn't pop up in any of the places I thought it should. It just baffles me how windows knew what it was and what drivers it needed if it wouldn't come to life (which sparked my hope on cable or power incompatibilities) but even in standalone mode it wasn't recognised. Like I said-new to all this. Thouroughly confused. Yet gullibly optimistic.

Oh and definitely no Aux Power...

[sureno]

Originally Posted by Wilty

I've not yet played around with C4's midi connections window properly (still not able to set up properly due to being between homes atm) but referenced the manual and it didn't pop up in any of the places I thought it should. It just baffles me how windows knew what it was and what drivers it needed if it wouldn't come to life (which sparked my hope on cable or power incompatibilities) but even in standalone mode it wasn't recognised. Like I said-new to all this. Thouroughly confused. Yet gullibly optimistic.

Oh and definitely no Aux Power...

ok what did windows recognise it as and is it brand new?

[Wilty]

Its not brand new. Windows was like 'Installing Drivers'...'Cannot install drivers device not installed MS20'...etc etc so it knew what it was. I then got all the latest drivers and they installed properly, but the device itself was totally inactive. No lights, no effect on anything and not showing up in any 'devices' windows.
Weird.

[sureno]

Found this

Customer support is good provided you look on the forums. I had a weird issue when I first got it, wherby the controller wasn't picked up as a midi device. Turned out that I had 10 midi devices installed since my old Edirol UA20 had been installed twice, and neither had been uninstalled since changing to my Firepod: Korg even provided a utility to ditch redundant midi devices so thumbs up to them.

[sureno]

Originally Posted by Wilty

Its not brand new. Windows was like 'Installing Drivers'...'Cannot install drivers device not installed MS20'...etc etc so it knew what it was. I then got all the latest drivers and they installed properly, but the device itself was totally inactive. No lights, no effect on anything and not showing up in any 'devices' windows.
Weird.

uninstall any drivers for it, restart the computer and just install the latest drivers following the manual procedure to a T, then tell me what your getting? but if you get no power what so ever there could either be an on/off switch hidden somewhere or could be faulty

[Wilty]

Will have to have a peak. For some reason my work Internet blocker doesn't like Korg's website. Its more an issue of it not powering on at all (the LED is supposed to light apparently). Cheers for looking that out for me mate, I'll have a dig around when I get a second at home. Just wanted to make sure I hadn't missed something glaringly obvious.

[sureno]

sorry i couldn't of been more help dude.
good luck any how

[waxxy]

ive got this and you can have probs if you dont set up your midi connections corecttly.

its only recoginzed in emulated usb mode in cubase.

on my system i have my novation zero sl set to its own controller input (easily done in device set up) and i have my steinberg houston controller on it own channel..i have my akai mpd24 set to usb audio (emulated )channel 2 and the korg ms20 on usb audio (emulated ) channel 1.

the korg ms20 has no real drivers its plug and play ..if your having probs just switch to a different usb port but make sure you dont connect it too a seperate usb external hub the korg and akais dont like them and if i use them on those it wont recognize or respond correctlly.

the ms20 is a terrific controller if you spend enough time getting used to it and you can create some amazing sounds with it..it will also control other vst synths not just korg legacy and its fun just playing with the dials to see what you can accidently create.

if your still not having any joys with it check your device set up page and make sure the usb audio channels are selected sometimes they deactivate themselfs when you install new hardware..and after all this if its still not working i think your controller is broke ..post back how you get on .

[waxxy]

also the led on the ms20 only comes on if you are using the patch bay side of the machine..if your using the left hand side controls and the keys then there is no lights to indicate its on ..

and when you do use the patch bay the led is to indicate the patch bay is active and the dial is for the patched volume output so if the lights on but its still on zero you wont hear a sound you have to crank it up and make sure your patch connections are correct if there wrong you wont get a sound because you may not have patched the patched signals to the outputs.

if your trying synthesis for the first time its best not using the patch cables you can get lost using them.so unplug all cables and turn the volume power off..that way you can still mangle the sounds to your liking and youll still get a output signal to your speakers.