Vintage Synth Explorer Forums

I have acquired a MKS-70 from a studio environment, I have no clue as to how MIDI works and I connected a Roland XP-30 to the MKS-70. What should I do (I am a MIDI novice) to confirm that the MKS-70 is working correctly? Have I connected the correct path? Should the MIDI MESSAGE light on the MKS-70 be always on or flickering? Many questions.

If the light is flickering like when you press a key, then it's getting data. But just because it's getting data doesn't mean it will make a sound. If it's not flickering at all, something's wrong like the "transmit data" function is off in the XP-30.

Dig into the midi control functions of the XP-30 and MKS-70. Make sure they're both set on the same midi channel (1 - 16) ans set to send and receive data. That's step number one.

If the XP-30 is transmitting on Channel 1 say, and the receive function on the MKS-70 is set to Channel 2, you'll see the led flickering, but you won't trigger the noise-making circuitry since their not on the same channel. It "sees" data but ignores it.

Many thanks, I will try that and let you know.

I believe that I have the XP-30 set to 'Rx-Ch 1' and 'Tx-Ch 1' but am not sure if and how to confirm that the MKS-70 is set to midi channel 1. I am like an idiot with this MIDI technology as I have always been a guitar player. Anyway I can call you and run thru this over the phone? I don't want to impose but I would like to eliminate all options before sending the unit in for a repair .... if it needs one.

Many thanks
roman

I have tried your suggestions and I have to say that the one thing that concerns me most is that the Midi Message LED never lights up. Could that mean a different issue?