Microfreak Keyboard Issue with 1010music Bluebox

Freak MicroFreak
#1

I use the MicroFreak in my DAWless live setup, powering it via USB. It receives MIDI input and is routed to my 1010music Bluebox (digital mixer). However, since this afternoon, the MicroFreak’s keyboard has stopped working properly: sometimes a key gets stuck, other times only every second note plays, and the sound is also strange.

When I connect my headphones directly to the MicroFreak and restart the device, everything works fine. The USB connection and MIDI settings remain the same. The only difference is that I’m using headphones instead of connecting the MicroFreak to the Bluebox. As soon as I reconnect the MicroFreak to the Bluebox, the problem reappears—even after restarting the device.

Here’s what I’ve already tried, but none of it resolved the issue:

Using a regular power adapter instead of USB power
Disconnecting the MIDI connection
Performing a factory reset
Trying different USB cables and USB adapters
Swapping audio cables, including using the 6.3mm output

The problem persists in all these scenarios.

What can I do? I play a Show on Monday and need the Freak to Work.

1 Like
#2

Could be an electric grounding issue.

  1. Try first USB isolator (~$20 on Amazon, looks like a small circuit in transparent plastic box) - it’s cheaper to test.
  2. If it does not help, leave the USB isolator and add TRS isolator on your midi and/or line-out.
2 Likes
#3

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. I think I’ve found the problem—it was a desk lamp that was likely drawing too much power or somehow interfering. I’m not entirely sure why the issue only occurred when the MicroFreak was connected to the Bluebox, but maybe it created some kind of loop in that setup.

I am not a 100% sure but… we will see :slight_smile:

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#4

I’ve just done a Live set on a medium stage. My MicroFreak wasn’t responding, nor the keyboard and loading presets was very slow. I had a high hum too. I switched inputs on my mixing table. I did a reset and then a firmware update. Still weird.
It turns out that my MicroFreak works perfectly afterwards back at home. It must of been some sort of DC interference or power supply problem. It’s worth knowing.