Tempo max out when using MIDI adapter

BeatBuddy Help, Questions and Bugs
1

For some time now I have had an issue with my Beat Buddy instantly jumping from whatever tempo is selected to the maximum tempo (300), but it only happens when I’m connected to the MIDI adapter and one of the 1/4" outputs. I can alleviate the problem by disconnecting the MIDI adapter or I can keep the MIDI adapter connected and avoid the tempo change by using a 1/4" wireless adapter. It seems to be some kind of short or grounding issue, but I can’t figure out any way to fix the problem.

My preference is to keep the MIDI adapter connected so I can select the correct drum part when we switch songs, and connect the Beat Buddy output to the mixer via direct box. Interestingly, it seems like it was working properly until just a little while back. I’m trying to figure out if my MIDI adapter is the problem, or if a firmware update caused the behavior change.

Any ideas?

2

Have you tried the ground lift switch on your D.I. box? Just a guess.

3

That was my first guess as well, but it didn’t help.

4

Hey there,

You could also turn off both the MIDI tempo control in the MIDI Settings
(Main Pedal > MIDI Settings > MIDI IN > control change > Tempo) if you don’t use them regularly

Maybe this stops it from misreading the signal it must be sending

Let us know!

5

Hey, thanks for the suggestion, but I really do use command changes to set the tempo on every song on our set list. I’m using Songbook Chordpro by LinkSoft on my tablet, and when I change songs it allows me to select a beat, change the tempo, and even start the song using a wireless MIDI adapter. I feel like I need to do a little more digging, because it wasn’t always doing this. There must be something that has changed, and I’d like to figure it out.

Steve

6

If you can send a short video showing the exact steps and settings you’re using, I’d be happy to take a closer look and help out. You can send it to support@singularsound.com .

7

I sent the link to the short video via email to support@singularsound.com. I’m looking forward to your thoughts.

1 Like
8

At the suggestion of Singular Sound support I’m posting this update to see if anyone has ever encountered this problem.

Here’s my signal path, in the order I use them:

  1. iPad running Songbook Chordpro by LinkSoft

*Program has the ability to initiate MIDI commands whenever a new song is selected, but only once, and only right when the song is selected

*Can be command changes and/or program changes

*Does not seem to be sending repeated signals according to a MIDI monitoring app that I used

  1. Yamaha Bluetooth MIDI adapter

*The unit has no buttons or dials or settings to change that I can detect. It only sends out what you send to it via bluetooth.

*Seems to accurately send MIDI commands that I embed into the songs on Songbook App

*Has worked seamlessly with Beat Buddy and other MIDI compatible pedals in the past

*No issues with other pedals or instruments

*I can leave it off of the signal chain entirely and get the same tempo problem if another pedal connects to Beat Buddy MIDI in AND the audio outs are plugged in. (i.e. if I plug a MIDI cable into my Tonex MIDI out, no other MIDI devices in the chain, then to the Beat Buddy dongle, then connect the audio out. Tempo shoots to 300)

  1. A 5-port MIDI hub (1 in, 5 out)

*This became part of the signal chain because the Yamaha MIDI adapter uses both the MIDI in and the MIDI out. Without the hub I could not daisy chain pedals to control multiple pedals simultaneously. (Beat Buddy only has one in and one out)

*The hub does not seem to factor in to the tempo problem because it occurs on the Beat Buddy even when I connect the Yamaha MIDI adapter directly to the Beat Buddy without the hub in the signal chain.

  1. From the hub to Beat Buddy (with or without my IK Multimedia Tonex simultaneously connected to the hub)

*I have used multiple ¼” patch cables and instrument cables, and if the MIDI dongle is connected to another MIDI device on my board the tempo maxes out.

*No tempo change if the 1/4" output is disconnected

*No tempo change if the 1/4" audio out is connected and MIDI dongle is disconnected

*No tempo change if I use a wireless transmitter instead of a real cable

*No tempo change when I connected it to a Studiologic MIDI controller keyboard, even with a physical cable.

  1. Mackie stereo direct box

*I usually use one channel for Beat Buddy and one for Tonex, but it happens even if I don’t use the direct box at all.

*Doesn’t matter if other channel is used or unused

  1. Presonus 32 channel rack mixer

*Probably not a factor because the same tempo change happens if I connect it to my Marshall guitar amp instead of the mixer.

1 Like
9

The only common variable I see throughout your thread is the Singular Sound BeatBuddy Sync Adapter. If you mentioned replacing it, I missed it. If you have replaced it and it didn’t solve the problem then I’m plumb out of any other ideas.

10

When ever I have midi issues with any hardware or software, I find the iOS app Midi Wrench invaluable. It basically records any and all midi activity in real time - you can trace erroneous or seemingly random midi events back to their origin. Or just check what messages are being sent.

Maybe that’s worth a look at. Apart from one’s time, it free (or was when I got it a while ago).

Best wishes

Carl.