omvibes
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Joined: 11/01/03
Posts: 24
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Alesis MMT8 bpm problem
#874519 - 12/11/10 06:03 PM
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Hi all, I have a problem with my Alesis MMT8. It seems that its bpm reading is
not correct, i.e. you set it to for example 120, and it is somewhere around 118bpm. Its
been checked against a computer, metronome etc, and there is definitely an issue (even
with my possibly dodgy rhythmic playing!) My set up is: Nord electro 3
controller out to the MMT8 (powered by a generic adaptor), then back into a Midi Solutions
router, splitting the signal (as per keyboard split set-up) to the NE3 and a Creamware
Minimax. Anyone come across this before, or can tell me what the problem might
be? Don't want to really retire the unit, as its a joy to use, apart from the bpm
issue. Thanks! OM
-------------------- www.myspace.com/astrakan
www.myspace.com/omvibraphone
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Dave B
Joined: 03/04/03
Posts: 5367
Loc: Maidenhead
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Re: Alesis MMT8 bpm problem
[Re: omvibes]
#874684 - 13/11/10 04:15 PM
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Two things spring to mind -
1) you are using a different power supply - it
might be that the unit isn't quite getting what it needs
and
2) Does it really
matter? Do you use other gear that needs to know the tempo? Or is it just a niggle?
--------------------
Veni, Vidi, Aesculi
(I came, I saw, I conkered)
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omvibes
member
Joined: 11/01/03
Posts: 24
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Re: Alesis MMT8 bpm problem
[Re: omvibes]
#874688 - 13/11/10 04:50 PM
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Hi Dave, thanks for the reply. Yes, its a niggle, because the band I'm using it has a
drummer working with a click track etc, so would be good to have everything locked in. I
know its not the most 21st century of set-ups  I'll check out the mains supply, is there anything else I can look into? Oli
-------------------- www.myspace.com/astrakan
www.myspace.com/omvibraphone
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zenguitar
active member
Joined: 05/12/02
Posts: 7614
Loc: Devon
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Re: Alesis MMT8 bpm problem
[Re: omvibes]
#874719 - 13/11/10 08:11 PM
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Thinking laterally.. Could you use the MMT8 to give the drummer his click track and solve
the problem that way? I've tried finding a pdf of the manual with no success,
but my brother does have an HR16 which shares the same manual and he might have it
somewhere. I was wondering if, depending on the rest of your set-up, you can set it to
chase tempo from another device. But I would agree that your first course of
action would be to make sure the power supply is suitable. Andy 
-------------------- When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.
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. . . Delete This
Here be Dragons
Joined: 23/06/08
Posts: 3888
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Re: Alesis MMT8 bpm problem
[Re: zenguitar]
#874727 - 13/11/10 09:52 PM
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Frame Rate,.
been too long since i've seen an MMT8 to remember how it's
set up, but i bet you anything you like it's a frame rate mis-match.
there's a
whole bunch of frame rate options to get midi clock working together, originally relating
to video sync....
common are
24 FPS (frames per second)
25 FPS
30 FPS (ND) Non Drop
30 FPS (DF) Dropped Frame
29.97 FPS (ND)
29.97
FPS (DF)
if the MMT8 is set, for example, to a frame rate of 24FPS and the
computer is set for 25 FPS, then the MMT8 will be running one frame per second slower....
so it's tempo will not match the computer. or for that matter any other bit of kit that
is connected and tempo aware (with it's own frame rate setting)
go through making sure everything has the same frame rate set in it's
relevant sync menus.
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zenguitar
active member
Joined: 05/12/02
Posts: 7614
Loc: Devon
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Re: Alesis MMT8 bpm problem
[Re: omvibes]
#874740 - 14/11/10 01:33 AM
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Yes, that makes a lot of sense Idris. The MMT8 does have a tape sync input, a drop frame
rate in the set-up would explain it. I'll try to grab the manual from my
brother and get more details. Andy
-------------------- When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.
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desmond
Joined: 10/01/06
Posts: 7898
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Quote idris y draig:
if the MMT8
is set, for example, to a frame rate of 24FPS and the computer is set for 25 FPS, then
the MMT8 will be running one frame per second slower....
Er... frame rate? Really? 
The MMT8 is a MIDI sequencer. It doesn't do audio, video, word clock, nothing -
MIDI doesn't know about any of that stuff. It was even before MIDI Timecode, so it knows
nothing of the concept of time code or position. It simply ticks along at the MIDI clock
resolution (or it's own clock if it's syncing internally).
The only thing it
has in conjunction with tape syncing is it does FSK basic tape sync (ie with no song
position pointers). I used to use it in conjunction with a crappy Fostex portastudio and
the lack of song position pointers was a pain (this was still early days for MIDI). FSK is
simply an analog version of an analog sync pulse, it just blips out the pulses as audio
and can follow them on playback.
Alas, my MMT8 is in storage so I can't dig
it out and check (plus I need three screwdrivers and lots of muscle to press the buttons
to get them to work!), but it's certainly nothing to do with frame rate. Probably just age
Bump
up the tempo a few BPM to counter - as long as the tempo is stable, you should be
fine.
Also, check both pattern mode and song mode and see if there are any
differences - you might have some tempo changes programmed in without you realising it (I
*think* it could do basic tempo changes in a song, can't remember...)
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MadManDan
Joined: 13/09/04
Posts: 1853
Loc: Across the pond....New Yawk
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Re: Alesis MMT8 bpm problem
[Re: desmond]
#874747 - 14/11/10 04:58 AM
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This is not a problem. Every piece of gear will "feel" a tempo, say 120, differently. But
that is a moot point when slaving one machine to another. To mash-up what
others have said, pick a midi clock master, all other machines slave to that. Set the
master to the appropriate tempo, regardless of whether the "number" is "correct." Go by
feel. Sync the slaves via midi clock. Done.
-------------------- Gear list: If you can't find it, grind it 
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omvibes
member
Joined: 11/01/03
Posts: 24
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Re: Alesis MMT8 bpm problem
[Re: omvibes]
#874749 - 14/11/10 07:11 AM
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Hi guys, thanks for all the input, its appreciated! r.e. frame rate, is there a
way I can check this at all? I can't remember seeing anything about it in the MMT8
manual.
-------------------- www.myspace.com/astrakan
www.myspace.com/omvibraphone
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. . . Delete This
Here be Dragons
Joined: 23/06/08
Posts: 3888
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Re: Alesis MMT8 bpm problem
[Re: omvibes]
#874805 - 14/11/10 01:27 PM
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http://www.mmt8.com/index.phpit would appear that
the MMT8 has no variable frame rate settings... here's a free
utility to measure incoming midi beat clock.... http://nic-nac-project.org/~rocket/midi/midiclockdetect/
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zenguitar
active member
Joined: 05/12/02
Posts: 7614
Loc: Devon
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Re: Alesis MMT8 bpm problem
[Re: desmond]
#874808 - 14/11/10 01:46 PM
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Quote desmond:
Alas, my MMT8 is
in storage so I can't dig it out and check (plus I need three screwdrivers and lots of
muscle to press the buttons to get them to work!)
The button press problems can be fixed. My brother's HR16 had the
same problem.
The circuit board for the buttons sits on the plastic turrets in
the case that hold the case screws. With all the button punching these turrets collapse
and the board flexes instead of the buttons. It's not pretty, but you can drill through
the case and use some small bolts and stand-offs to re-mount the board securely.
Andy
--------------------
When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.
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