UM-ONE DIN TO USB MIDI ADAPTOR ACTIVE SENSE?

Started by philjynx, February 07, 2018, 06:38:01 PM

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philjynx

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CodeSmart

Yes amigo, I can 100% confirm that the UM-ONE MKII sends out Active Sense (0xFE) by itself.
It's been a PITA to me too.

Some reading about Active Sense:

Active Sense
Category: System Realtime
Purpose

A device sends out an Active Sense message (at least once) every 300 milliseconds if there has been no other activity on the MIDI buss, to let other devices know that there is still a good MIDI connection between the devices.

Status
0xFE

Data
None

Errata
When a device receives an Active Sense message (from some other device), it should expect to receive additional Active Sense messages at a rate of one approximately every 300 milliseconds, whenever there is no activity on the MIDI buss during that time. (Of course, if there are other MIDI messages happening at least once every 300 mSec, then Active Sense won't ever be sent. An Active Sense only gets sent if there is a 300 mSec "moment of silence" on the MIDI buss. You could say that a device that sends out Active Sense "gets nervous" if it has nothing to do for over 300 mSec, and so sends an Active Sense just for the sake of reassuring other devices that this device still exists). If a message is missed (ie, 0xFE nor any other MIDI message is received for over 300 mSec), then a device assumes that the MIDI connection is broken, and turns off all of its playing notes (which were turned on by incoming Note On messages, versus ones played on the local keyboard by a musician). Of course, if a device never receives an Active Sense message to begin with, it should not expect them at all. So, it takes one "nervous" device to start the process by initially sending out an Active Sense message to the other connected devices during a 300 mSec moment of silence on the MIDI bus.

This is an optional feature that only a few devices implement (ie, notably Roland gear). Many devices don't ever initiate this minimal "safety" feature.


Source: http://midi.teragonaudio.com/tech/midispec/sense.htm
But I got more gear than I need...and I like it!

admin

#2
It might be worth swapping out the Roland UM-ONE MK2 for an iConnectivity MIO

I expect third party USB <>MIDI cables ( Emu, iConnectivity , Yamaha) exhibit different behavior

FWIW - here is a good thread regarding the whole point of "Active Sensing', and why Roland / Boss gear implements it
http://forums.rolandclan.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13153


DamianGreda

I've just get myRoland Um One. It is strange that this interface filters out "FE" active sense message from KPA. Other interfaces recive this message and i can see it in MIDI monitor. Any ideas?