Help Me decide to return or not - Mackie MCU & XT extender (Sonar X1b, Win7, 32bit)

Hey folks So I purchased the Mackie MCU controller and XT Extender. Nothing but problems getting it to work correctly or consistently (With Sonar OR Mackie's own Tracktion...So don't think its a Sonar problem). Hours with tech support getting no where. Tired of trying stuff with their tech support...I await a hard ware swap out decision. I won't waste anyone's time trying to help trouble shoot. Simple question. Who out there has tried this setup? Does it work consistently? Did you have issues getting it to work? Any non typical secrets to be aware of? It's NOT like I have much of a choice for a 16 channel control surface in this price range BUT I might have missed something...so other opinions of choices additionally appreciated. Muchos Mark www.DemoFactory.Biz

Same here MCU & extender working fine. However mine is not the 'pro' version meaning I'm connected via a MIDI interface not USB. I'm also Win 7 x64 but that shouldn't make a difference.

If you are on the USB version my best guess is that it'll be a driver issue.

yodermr: I did some reading at Mackie...

Connect just a single USB cable and you are up and running wtih MCU Pro. And the built-in MIDI interfaces lets you add up to three MCU XT Pros without the need for external hardware. Or use the MIDI I/O to hook up your classic MIDI gear and work on your ELO covers. ..

maby you wana tell me about your system, motherboard ect.

Well few issues but her is a sonar related one. I can setup the mcu and the XT as 1-8 and 9-16. Save close. Restart MCU and XT, open sonar. It reverts back to mcu 1-8 and xt 1-8. Even though I just opened it (no changes made), when I open the Mackie control window in Sonar the final has a * after it as if it was changed. Not repeatable, random. Win7 32 bit Gigabyte board. Been running a variety of usb midi devices with no computer issues for years MCU connected through its usb Also have a MIDIsport 1X1 Already tired to reset the TTSSEQ file. MIDI cables tested Thx M

This thread may be very helpful in setting up your MC and Extender.

Its good that I remember that there are posts on this stuff because I forget stuff.  Thanks Startekh.

Timboe

I don't have jerky faders. This is first I have heard about this on this forum at least.

Well I think this whole thing is a idiosyncrasy learning curve. Did the reading up front, maybe it all didn't sink in. Started out everything worked together, just plugged it in. Then seemingly the next day odd things would come and go: Sonar would forget the control surface in and out ports, Mackie control window would forget the layout (back to xt & MCU on 1-8)- Never understood where these two came from. Also gibberish across the scribble strips. Then the XT wouldn't be recognized at all. Found a bad MIDI cable - Quick aside for newbees...connect a MIDI cable in and out to the XT and press select, solo mute. If the corresponding light comes on the cable is good, if not, cable bad. Still similar problems. gibberish as well which you might think only comes from crap MIDI cable?.. Then I disconnected my other MIDI stuff (that was working with it a few days ago). Tranzport, MIDI sport. More random problems. Reset the TEQ..what file in Sonar. Then my problem was (quick to judge) that the unit would lock up (select button would stick). At this point of random errors over several days I was consigned to this thing being a hardware thing. Then I reread the link you gave me on the unresponsiveness on start up. Ah so there it is (I like to think so but haven't had the pleasure of any consistency yet). You have to wait a bit, jiggle the transport and then bingo, its not locked up ... LOL Where did all my patience go not wanting to wait 10 seconds or so jiggling the transport button :-0 So now I have almost a day of something consistent. Re added the MIDI sport... still good.. Tranzport next , crossing my fingers it did work initially when I just plugged it in to begin with. So maybe it just the hairball of introducing an additional MIDI device with a known goofyness with a bad MIDI cable and strange yet to be assured stable configuration files So Startehk - Good point, new device might expose an issue with an existing driver? Appreciate direction on updating board/device drivers - I'm tired ;-) Thx for the guidance M

Did I see the dreaded word "MIDIsport" in your post as in MIDIman (now M-Audio) MIDISport?

I have a 4 x 4 and it has the world's most useless drivers. I have to uninstall and re-install it every reboot to get it to work. It only takes a few seconds to do and I've just got so used to it, it's become automatic. It's still a RPITA though but it's either that or drop some more ££s I haven't got on an alternative.

If you are connecting via one of those that's where I'd start looking.

Bikerboy...Kinda funny in context of my post. Yes I also have many years of understanding MIDIman/sport idiosyncrasies :-). And yes it was working, then I added the MCU and imagine that, it stopped working..as part of the fun of getting everything else figured out I got it back up and running again. No magical secret, like before out of nowhere it just starts up. Its when I change what usb port I have it in that completely f's it. Never understood how the computer's particular usb slot impacts what is connected to it John - Got it all figured out? Maybe...just need a few consecutive days of it behaving...per my new found expectations. Still not understanding where the random changes in the Sonar Control Surface or Sonar MCU properties settings came from. So its a brand new day. Crossing my fingers cuz I like the mackie setup. Thx for chiming in and giving me hope M

tell me the make and model of your motherboard. il do some reading !!

could be as simple as chipset drivers and or a bios update

there are 2 board revs 1.0 and 1.1  what are you running..?

install cpu-z and get back to me with main board information ... ty

Its when I change what usb port I have it in that completely f's it. Never understood how the computer's particular usb slot impacts what is connected to it John - Got it all figured out?

I don't know about win7 or Vista, but in XP- problems arising from changing USB ports when devices were setup & working in a particular port is related to whether the drivers to the devices are "windows signed drivers".

If the drivers aren't signed usually U get a pop-up warning about whether you want to install anyway. You have to use the same port that was used when configuring your devices with unsigned drivers or else you'll have to reconfigure to the new port. With signed drivers, U can use any port.

Umm well I got CPU Z installed. Lots of info in there. So it says (what I think your looking for): Model Gigabyte EP45-ud3p x.x Chipset intel rev a3 southbridge intel rev 00 Award Bios version FB Date 05/20/2009 Thx - much easier than taking it all apart Kine - I do believe the MIDIman install said something about unsigned drivers but its been a while since I tried reinstalling them M