Stuck MIDI Notes

[Hylian99]

Hey guys. I wanted to start messing around with MIDI instruments in Pro Tools (previously I've only used it for postproduction audio for film). I hooked up my CASIO CDP-100 keyboard via an old, cheap MIDI-to-USB cable I've had forever.

Here's what's driving me crazy: when I put an instrument track into record ready, and start playing the keyboard, the instrument will cut out every few seconds, either leaving a note hanging or refusing to play anything at all. Then, after a few more seconds, it will come back. Now, the whole time, I can see the levels responding to the keys I'm hitting in the Instruments panel for the track. The really strange thing is that if I actually start recording, everything works totally fine; the problem goes away completely.

I've tried this mostly with the AIR instruments that come with Pro Tools, although I also installed a free synthesizer plugin, and it's doing the same thing. I also opened up MuseScore, and that program seems to have no problem with the MIDI connection at all. Help!

Specs:
Alienware Alpha R2 with Windows 10
CASIO CDP-100 keyboard
Pro Tools 12, fully updated, all plugins fully updated

[musicman691]

Couple of things to try/look at:
try a new MIDI to USB converter
make sure you have turned off ALL power savings measures in Windows Control Panel especially for the USB ports

[64GTOBOY]

Replace the cable. Use a powered USB hub. Reinstall drivers for midi input/keyboard. just some stuff to try.