Recently, a friend was struggling with a MIDI fader set that might or might not have been set to the wrong mode. As I was trying to contribute ideas, it occurred to me that a great way to figure out what is going on is use to the onPC MA software. Why? It has a window that will show you any MIDI messages it sees as they happen. Best of all- no purchased MA gear is necessary. Let’s get into it.
I’m doing this on the GrandMA 3 onPC Mac version. Plug in your MIDI device. I’m plugging in a small piano keyboard I have lying about. Open the software, then go touch the Menu Cog.
In the popup, choose Settings.
Yet another popup opens. Choose onPC Local Settings.
In the next window, we want to touch MIDI In Device and choose our MIDI device.
When done, close the window. Touch the Menu Cog again and this time, choose In & Out (which is MA cute-speak for the Remotes area).
There’s a few things to do here.
- Touch MIDI Remotes on the left.
- Touch Show MIDI Data in System Monitor.
- Touch Enable Input.
- Right click under Enabled to add a MIDI device and turn it on.
Close the window. Now, click anywhere in your empty screen to add a view. A popup appears.
We want the System Monitor.
Now, as you touch any buttons or spin any encoders, you see what is happening, which makes problems A LOT easier to diagnose.
What other diagnostic tools have you found and loved? Would LOVE to hear in the comments.
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Mark LaPierre is a programmer in film, television and theater based out of Albuquerque. He grew up in live entertainment and has been a designer/programmer for musicals, concert dance, live music, circus and corporate. Mark is a proud member of IATSE, an ETC Eos trainer and an enthusiastic trainer of many other platforms and subjects. He offers remote console coaching in 30 minute to 4 hour times as well as a full range of training in person. If you enjoy his content, please consider commenting on his posts on the website to appease the Algorithm.