Pro Tools Maximum number allowed of latest MOTU Express 128s is 7 ??

[Base12]

Hi,

I was able to connect and use with no issues up to 7 new MOTU Express 128s. Once I connect the 8th one, MIDI IN stops working and Pro Tools hangs on exit. Have to use Powershell Stop-Process to close it. Note that the units being tested are connected before starting up Pro Tools

I can mix n match up to seven (any of the 8 units and they work). As soon as the 8th one is connected, I start Pro tools...MIDI IN...Dead on ALL units. I tried Run As Admin too. Windows device manager shows the 8 units, Pro Tools actually displays all 8 units in the MIDI devices menu item. They are all checked green. But...all fail once the 8th one is connected.

This is the exact hanging you get when you use a single latest MOTU MIDI Express XT. I got rid of that model. MIDI OX can handle the 8 with no issues.

Ref: Pro Tools Ultimate - latest update, Windows 10 Pro v1909, - Intel i7, 5820k, 8GB RAM, HD OMNI

Anyone else able to confirm this issue?

[musicman691]

Are you running the latest drivers? IIRC MOTU uses the same drivers for all their MIDI interfaces (or at least they used to). MOTU has always been spotty with support for Windows in any form. I know that because I used to run a Windows system back in the day. Just getting the basic Clockworks s/w working was a hassle.

That must be one heck of a system if you need 64 streams of MIDI I/O

[The Weed]

Only 8 gb of RAM, while probably not your issue, is below the 16 gb minimum Avid recommends.

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by The Weed

Only 8 gb of RAM, while probably not your issue, is below the 16 gb minimum Avid recommends.

That might well be it. Especially if the op hasn't rid his system of all unnecessary s/w and done ALL the system optimizations.

I'm still wondering about needing 64 MIDI I/O streams. Heck even Danny Elfman in the studio he calls 'MIDI Hell' doesn't have that much hardware. Nor does Jordan Rudess.

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by The Weed

Only 8 gb of RAM, while probably not your issue, is below the 16 gb minimum Avid recommends.

... and way below 32GB real-world recommendation

[albee1952]

Is this done by daisy-chaining thunderbolt? I thought 6 was the limit

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Is this done by daisy-chaining thunderbolt? I thought 6 was the limit

MOTU Express 128 is USB connection and USB bus powered. I think I see an issue - how much power does one of these interfaces use (I don't know), multiply that by 8 and does that overrun what's possible coming out of a USB port? And even if the OP is running a hub between the interfaces and the computer - is it powered and how much power can it put out?

[Base12]

RAM issue? , I will buy some more DDR4 to max out MBoard. This pc is reserved strictly for Pro Tools with Omni HD, no other apps, little plugins that are rarely used so no "Plugin Hell" issues or extra software. With 7 MOTUs it works flawless. Very simple to manage the vintage midi gear with no need to touch or move any wires. One test i will try is moving one of my new synthesizers to this PC as the 8th USB and see what happens. That can at least ID if its a MOTU locking or Pro Tools issue. No problem using all 8 motu on MIDI OX app.

The hub uses 3.0 as the the master and 2.
0 for the slots. It is powered by wall transformer.
Moving usb connections directly to pc results in same issue.

[Base12]

Actually its a 3.1 5gps connection

[TNM]

are you using an MTT hub? I use a 20 port MTT hub with a 500W power brick.

Motu are amongst the worst midi interfaces you can use for PT in *Windows* cause they are seen as emulated drivers. There's a lot of talk about this around various forums.

iconnectivity mio10 is the one to use on windows and has rock solid timing.

As others have said, your low ram may not help...

But really, i doubt it's PT's fault either. I mean it could just be the MOTU driver crapping out when 8 are connected or some other windows limitation.