Anyone have experience with the Roland D-50 and MC-50?

[MC50yearsold]

I have a Roland D-50 and a Roland MC-50 Sequencer. The D-50 also has the M.EX Musitronics add-on.

I can't get the two to communicate at all. Attempting to record a sequence results in this error:

Attn! MIDI Error
Press STOP

Trying to play back a pre-recorded sequence from another instrument results in nothing. I triple checked the connections, everything is good there. No issues at all with the sequencer and my other synths.

I'm wondering if the M.EX is the culprit? It seems odd to me that the two Roland pieces wouldn't work together - even though the D-50 came out a few years before the MC-50.

I could possibly try removing the M.EX if anyone knows how to do that? If it involves soldering, forget it!

Thanks everyone that chimes in.

[Z]

I've used both (still own them), but I've never used a D-50 with the M.EX. It sounds great on paper, but I've heard bad things about it, along the line of what you're describing.

Just to make sure, you've got the MIDI channels matched up on both the D-50 & MC-50, right?

[MC50yearsold]

I've used both (still own them), but I've never used a D-50 with the M.EX. It sounds great on paper, but I've heard bad things about it, along the line of what you're describing.

Just to make sure, you've got the MIDI channels matched up on both the D-50 & MC-50, right?

I believe so. I just now tested it further by attempting to use the D-50 to control a Roland XP-10 synth, and vice versa. I performed the same test with the XP-10, and a Roland RS-5. It didn't work with the D-50, but worked with the other synths, so there is some MIDI problem with the D-50.

I found some documentation regarding the M.EX online, and it appears that it requires removing an IC chip? I guess I'd have to source that part to revert it back to original specs?

[Ashe37]

possible something is set wrong midi-wise on the D-50

[MC50yearsold]

possible something is set wrong midi-wise on the D-50

Possibly, but I can't pinpoint it. The D-50 is pretty simple, MIDI wise. Not too many sub-menus to get lost in.

I tested the output from MidiOx, and it looks bizarre. I repeatedly pressed middle C over and over, but the output displayed different results. I can't paste the screenshot on here, but the "event" says "PC: marimba" in one instance, then "PC: tubular bells", then "PC: something else" etc. on another instance - even though I'm pressing the same note, nothing else.