No control of a Type A module by trs or usb

Lab KeyLab
#1

I recently bought an m-vave FM-1 module. It is just newly released FM module, with midi over trs-din, usb-c, and bluetooth. I want to use it with either of my Keylab 61’s (MK2 and MK3). But the module doesn’t show any midi information being received. There was no trs midi cable included with the module, so I bought two type A cables from Amazon, hoping they would work. Can anyone tell me if I have bought the right trs midi cables, or do I need somethind different?

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#2

Hi @Mikey1964. Welcome back.

I have never used TRS midi.

Does the FM synths manual tell it use TRS type A connection?

Afaik Keylabs use midi DIN. So are the cables you have midi DIN to midi TRS type A?

#3

On the USB side, is the FM-1 specified as USB Host or USB device?
As USB device, it would be connected to a computer (which would be the host), but you could not connect a KeyLab directly USB to USB. You would have to use a MIDI cable.
As a USB Host, it could be controlled by a KeyLab (which would be the device).

As a comparison, the AstroLabs have both a USB-C device port for connection to a computer and a powered USB-A host port for connection to a controller.

#4

No, it doesn’t specify Type A. It says “Traditional MIDI cable (31250 baud). Connect to hardware synths, controllers, etc”. But when I contacted the manufacturer for support, they said the cable must be Type A.

And yes, the cables I have are trs-midi din type A.

#5

Ah, right. The manual states “Connect via USB cable to a computer or DAW. Appears as a standard USB MIDI device”. So it couldn’t be played directly by USB-C.

I think I’m going to order another trs-midi cable, just in case the ones I bought aren’t compatible.

#6

I’m just thinking - there are also trs-midi din cables which are actually for audio. If I can find a 3.5mm to 6.35mm (1/4 inch) I’ll try them with my amp. If they play audio, then I’ll know they aren’t as described.

#7

Are your controller and the FM1 sound module set to the same midi channel?
Try to set both to midi channel 1 as a start.

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#8

Yeah, I’ve done that so many times its making my head hurt now :grinning:

#9

Something to be aware of, there are two types of TRS midi cables, both are horrible imho…

TRS MIDI cables can be configured in two main types: Type A and Type B. Type A connects MIDI Source to the TRS Ring, while Type B connects it to the TRS Tip.

‘Murphy’s Law’ states that if you only buy one without checking first, you’ll likely buy the wrong one! :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:
HTH!

#10

Hope you are okay.

I can’t tell if you

  1. Need a midi DIN to midi TRS type B cable - and perhaps even a converter from type B to type A
  2. Or if there is a setting somewhere you are missing
  3. Or if something else is wrong

Perhaps ask FM1 support again.

#11

So, an update.

I ordered a Boss trs-din cable from Amazon last night. It arrived today and works perfectly. So its definitely a case of “you get what you pay for”. The other cables are going back for a refund.

Incidentally, if you are a fan of the DX7 series, including the II and S, and the Korg Volca, as well as any other 6 operator, 32 algorithm FM synth, then I highly recommend this little module. It has some great features - filter, envelope, multifx, arp, sequencer - and is 12 note polyphonic. Someone has said on a youtube video that it is multitimbral, but I doubt it. But at just over £50, there’s nothing on the market that can touch it.

#12

Thanks for the update. Good it’s solved.