Sync problems when Korg M3 tracks are not selected

[machineboy]

I'm having a weird problem with syncing my Korg M3 with other tracks:

 

I'm using the M3 plugin editor in Logic Express 9, and everything works as it should. I can set up an audio channel with the M3 plugin and assign tracks to midi channels to record and play back sounds on the M3.

 

The weird thing is that if I add a new audio track with a software instrument (doesn't matter which one, it happens with all the instruments in Logic) and record some notes on this track, the M3 does not play back in sync with the new tracks. The M3 is always a little ahead. When I stop the playback and select any of the M3 tracks and start playback again it syncs perfectly.

 

In short; When a non-M3 track is selected, the M3 and Logic plays out of sync. If I select a M3 track, sync is perfect.

 

Has anyone experienced this or something similar and know what the problem can be?

 

I have the M3 connected via USB and Midi clock is set to External USB on the M3. Why does it not stay in sync when a non-M3 track is selected? I have the latest plugin version installed (AU version) and latest midi driver for the M3. Running OS X Lion. I briefly tried the M3 plugin in Ableton Live with other soft synths with no sync problems.

[David Nahmani]

Do you have Low Latency Mode on? It's the button that looks like a speedometer in the Transport bar.

[machineboy]

Thanks for your reply! Yes, I've tried with it both on and off, there is no difference. The weird thing is that the synth plays in perfect sync as long as one of its tracks is selected, but off sync when I select another track.

[David Nahmani]

If you attach your Logic project to this thread I'll have a look at it.

[blinkofani]

Hi,

First, we would need to know on which OS you are as Korg say on their web site that their software isn't approved yet for 10.8. Second, when you say you insert the plugin editor on an audio channel, i assume you mean an audio instrument track? The editor shouldn't be inserted in an audio track. It only sends Midi control data to your M3 through the USB port. How is the actual audio from the M3 returned to Logic in your setup? You have to work on actual External Midi tracks in Logic but control its parameters(M3) through the Plugin Editor who's on an audio instrument track. Is it how you're set up?

 

Blink

 

Also, did you select the Korg USB port as the Midi sync port Logic sends Midi clock in the Project Prefs?

[machineboy]

Blink, thanks for your answer.

 

Here is some more information about my setup:

 

Running Logic Express 9.1.7 32-bit on an iMac 24" with OS X 10.7.4. I've installed the latest versions of the Korg M3 plug-in editor and midi driver for Mac.

 

I've created a software instrument track and added the M3 plug-in editor and recorded a simple click track. I also added a track with the ultrabeat plugin and recorded a click track on this as well. The audio from the M3 is returned to my sound card (tone port ux2) via analog line inputs. M3 USB is selected as midi sync port in project prefs.

 

Now, when I have the M3 plugin software instrument track selected in logic and press play, both click tracks are fully synced.

 

When I select the ultrabeat track and press play, the first beat sound to me to be in sync but then the M3 is playing slightly ahead (but not lagging/speeding up, just sooner than the ultrabeat track, around 100ms).

 

I find this very frustrating and confusing as it's next to impossible to record audio/software synths and the M3 when the timing is off. As mentioned didn't this happen when testing briefly in ableton, so I'm guessing it has something to do with Logic and how tracks/plugins are prioritized when selected?

 

Here is the project file if anyone wants to take a look at it to see how it behaves:

M3syncProblem.zip

[blinkofani]

Hi,

In what mode is the M3? You should be in Combi mode. If you're trying to sync clicks, it means you're in Seq mode. Now, if both clicks are not synced(the click from the M3 is audio) check your buffer size in Audio prefs. Combi mode and Seq mode is the same except Seq mode has a memory to record your music. In Combi mode, you'll have the same features and you don't have to load your settings everytime you power up.

 

Blink

[machineboy]

It is the same in Combi, Prog or Seq mode. The tracks are synced only when a M3 track is selected in Logic

[Eriksimon]

To what is your Plugin Latency Compensation set?

Logic Pro > Preferences > Audio > General

http://documentation.apple.com/en/logicpro/usermanual/index.html#chapter=41%26section=3%26tasks=true

[blinkofani]

Well, i'm stumped. I really don't know what's going on with your setup. It would be worth trying to connect your M3 with old skool midi cables to isolate the problem if your audio interface also have MIDI ports(don't forget to change your MIDI clock to EXT Midi rather than EXT USB). You won't be able to use the editor this way, but the editor is not mandatory to integrate the M3 in your LP setup. In fact, i don't use the editor for my Kronos since those keyboards have TouchView interface and i find it way simpler to interact directly on the screen of the workstation rather than mousing around the interface of a plugin. But to each his/her own, as you say in Enlish...

 

Blink

[machineboy]

Thanks, I'm stumped as well. Pity, total recall of all parameters/sounds on the M3 in Logic would be awesome. I'm guessing old school midi style would be working, maybe even sending some sysex to switch patches. I'll fiddle a bit