EMU XBoard61 keeps freezing. Definately hardware issue. :\

[fandango]

I bought an EMU XBoard61 within the last 2 weeks. For the most part, it's absolutely perfect. 61 keys, 16 midi rotaries etc., works just fine with ACT etc.

Anyway, occasionally, the keyboard will just stop outputting MIDI data. Usually, when you press keys or move ANY of the controls, the LCD updates to show activity. Once the keyboard becomes unresponsive, the LCD doesn't update, just shows the last thing it was outputting before the keyboard froze up.

It just seems to die.

If I switch it off and then on again, it starts behaving itself, as good as new.

Time to fill out a returns slip?

[KingofBeers]

I've had one for a while now and nothing is wrong here, must be your hardware???? ...They are amazing Keyboards.

Cheers.

[fandango]

Yes, I love it! But this happens often enough to require restarting the host to get the MIDI device back again. :[

Question - Do you power your XBoard from the USB port, or are you using a seperate power supply? I'm just plugging it into a 4-way USB hub. I'm thinking that maybe it's not getting enough juice, hence the period shutdown.

[whyterabbyt]

is the hub powered?

[fandango]

Yep, mains powered, so I assume there's no problem with it being split 4 ways? (bear in mind I have about as much electrical engineering knowledge as someone fly-fishing next to a pylon.)

[whyterabbyt]

Yep, mains powered, so I assume there's no problem with it being split 4 ways? (bear in mind I have about as much electrical engineering knowledge as someone fly-fishing next to a pylon.)

hmmm. there shouldnt be, but that doesnt mean there wont be. try hooking it up direct to your PC anyways, just as a test; my G2's kept dropping out even though they were on a powered hub. direct, they're fine.

[spa]

I recently bought an xboard 61. I installed the latest drivers/software and plugged the USB connection directly into my computer. I have never had a problem using USB...until the xboard.

When I turned on my computer or came out of standby mode, the xboard lights would flicker but the "P01" message on the LCD would not light up, and my computer would not recognize the board. If I turned off the xboard (on/off switch) and then turned it back on, it would work fine.

I tried my edirol PCR-M30 power supply to see if it would make a difference (the xboard did not come with one). From that point on, the keyboard worked. Using a power supply isn't a problem as I have to turn on my monitors anyway, and I have the xboard plugged into the same surge suppressor as my monitors. Funny thing though...since I started using the power supply, even if it's not receiving power from the power supply, the computer seems to recognize the xboard. No idea why.

Anyway, I would not use a USB hub with the xboard. Try a direct USB connection. Maybe the xboard needs a bit more power than usual. Or maybe my problem is just a quirk on my computer. If all else fails, try a power supply. To me, it's worth it, as the xboard is a solid controller and the keys just feel right to me.

[bleebsen]

IIRC the manual explicitly advises not to use a hub... even when not bus-powered..

[Ichigo Kurosaki]

Just got my heavinly controller today! I blanked out aswell. Though I have it plugged up to my Monitor, and not the CPU itself.

Did your Xboard have little manufactor scratches below the zone buttons? THey are really tiny and hardly noticable.

[fandango]

try hooking it up direct to your PC anyways, just as a test; my G2's kept dropping out even though they were on a powered hub. direct, they're fine.

I'm a bit suspicious of this USB hub actually. It's a cheapy from Trust. It's worked fine so far, but I have a power supply lying around that I can try using to power the xboard directly. I'll also try plugging the USB cable directly into the PC.

Anyway, I would not use a USB hub with the xboard. Try a direct USB connection. Maybe the xboard needs a bit more power than usual. Or maybe my problem is just a quirk on my computer. If all else fails, try a power supply. To me, it's worth it, as the xboard is a solid controller and the keys just feel right to me.

Thanks for the info. I have a configurable power supply that I can use to power it. I already had a printer, the M-Audio Ozone and the Xboard plugged into the USB hub, so it's probably not a particularly good idea. It's powered though, which should be the same as just plugging into the computer direct? I'll try using it with the power adapter tonight.

IIRC the manual explicitly advises not to use a hub... even when not bus-powered..

I had a look through the manual. It mentions only plugging into the computer directly. I figured this was because the USB port is powered. But the USB hub is powered too.

Did your Xboard have little manufactor scratches below the zone buttons? THey are really tiny and hardly noticable.

On the keys I noticed some plastic seemlines which I peeled off. (i.e., from the edges where they put 2 plastic moulds together).

[Ichigo Kurosaki]

I haad the same thing, but they are also faint little tiny, tiny little scratches under the zone buttons, that look as if they are factory tainted by creation process.

[Black Box Recorder]

Edit

[Milos]

I've also recently bought Emu XBoard 61 and it's high quality midi controller.
Update your XBoard with the latest firmware,I know that fixed issue when you change between USB ports.

[Ichigo Kurosaki]

I'm pretty sure it's the firmware to! I have to download the vista drivers.