M-Audio Trigger Finger Pro not always working [SOLVED]

[khaotic intent]

http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?p=2289069

Ever since upgrading to 12, I have had nothing but problems getting my midi controller to work. After many hours, I will get it to work, save my session, and then the next day...it doesn't work again!!!! It is so frustrating, and I can't work on my songs.

I have a BRAND NEW M-audio trigger finger pro
it has the latest drivers
midi thru is checked
it is in the midi device input list, and checked
The track I am trying to control is selected.
The track I am trying to control is record enabled
I ran pro tools as administrator
I have tried both adding and removing it from the peripherals list. my Mackie universal control and extenders work fine.
I tried updating the M-audio driver again in case it didn't take last night
The ONLY thing I have not done, and honestly, would rather give up before doing see as to how much trouble it was the first time, is uninstall and reinstall pro tools. That would take many hours.
Is there ANY other thing I can try to solve this problem?
This has been plaguing me since the beginning of July, and can't get any music done.
Playing the controller is so much easier and faster then drawing in notes.

EZ- Drummer/drums from hell is the plugin
M-audio trigger finger pro is the controller
Dell XPS 8500 workstation with I-7 processor, 16 gigs ram
Glyph 2 terabyte HD
fast track ultra 8R
Mackie control universal and 2 extenders
eleven rack, monitor station, pre amps, compressors, eq's and all kinds of other stuff....too much to list.

Please help end my misery.

[jclark5093]

Does it work in any other DAWs? (Get reaper to test the unit if you don't have any others)

Does it work with DIN MIDI cable to your interface?

Try these things first and let us know how it responds.

I've heard about a lot of issues with the TFP, otherwise it seemed like a steal at $150...

[khaotic intent]

it is USB
It does work for I have used it in 12 a couple of times.
Cables are good/new/replaced.
I don't have any other DAWS...Pro Tools made me broke in the buying more DAWS department.
it was working just last night. I saved my session hoping tonight I could turn it on and use it, that didn't pan out.

[jclark5093]

Download reaper (it's free) to test the unit.

There is USB but also DIN MIDI out, so test that to rule out a firmware issue.

If it works in reaper and not PT, it is a PT issue. If it works with MIDI and not USB then it is a driver issue. If it doesn't work in reaper with a midi cable, then it could be your unit, or the firmware, or your OS even.

If you don't troubleshoot then all anyone can do is guess.

[khaotic intent]

um..so to do it with a midi cable, do I now need to buy a midi interface or can I plug it into one of my mackie extenders?

[jeffro]

Have you gone through all of M-Audio's info? http://m-audio.com/kb/article/1648

I used the original Trigger Finger up until a few years ago, and it only worked consistently on a USB Hub. Looking for the KB article or thread...

[khaotic intent]

I searched and don't have a midi cable anyways.
I know this controller works, I got rid of my Korg controller because I was having the same problem and bought the trigger finger.
everything worked fine in PT9. I should have never changed.
It's been 2 hours and I can't get it to work, I have lost all desire to even work on the song at this point.

Apparently, this problem is unfixable.
it seems the only option is to dump pro tools 12, go back to 9 (if I even still have everything I need to go back) and I'm out 800 bucks (or however much it cost me).

Thanks Avid

[jclark5093]

You never mentioned what OS you're using. And when you say you had the "same problem" with a korg padkontrol, that leads me to think it could be just bad USB ports, or not enough amperage sent through the ports to buss power your gear. What else is plugged in?

Do you have a powered hub?

Does it work on your CURRENT OS in reaper with your current drivers?

Why are you "checking" MIDI Thru?

Please do at least some basic troubleshooting and provide system information and what is plugged into your USB ports so we can attempt to diagnose?

Otherwise we can only assume pilot error.

[khaotic intent]

yes midi thru checked
yes midi input device checked
yes run as administrator
yes tried setting up in peripherals
yes tried it not set up in peripherals
yes tried every midi port on the planet
yes its a powered hub
yes changed every cable
yes talked to M-audio
yes talked to Avid
yes searched literally everything on the internet available, have spent hours at a time reading, multiple times.
windows 7
satisfied?

This problem just continues no matter what I do, change, replace, fix, or read. Occasionally, after hours of changing as many settings as possible it will work. I will save everything with all settings, and the next time I power everything up...same ****ing problem all over again.

So what say you now?

[khaotic intent]

Also, the reason i check midi thru is because it is what the directions from all sources say to do (avid,M-audio, online videos, etc). They all say check midi thru. I have tried running it as midi, HUI, etc. No combination makes it work permanently.
I have tried it without midi thru checked, and it still doesn't work.
I don't care about the technical explanation of midi thru, no midi thru, either way does not work.
Once i get it working, it should continue to work like everything else I own yes?