Hi guys. I have mentioned this problem before and have endlessly searched the internet for an actionable solution. I have 3 devices I need to work in tandem to satisfy the demands of Nixie:
Mac Mini Late 2012
Scarlett 18i8 1st Gen
MC6Pro
Let me outline the use case before I outline the problem.
I use my DAW (Logic Pro) as a monitoring solution via my Interface. This allows me to use headphones etc. I also use it to record music as many of us do. In the case that I need to find a sound for a track on my Strymon pedals, I typically use Nixie as it has direct access to all the parameters vs clicking about on the pedal. This is the easiest way to dial in a sound and then save that sound to a specific location.
My problem is that I frequently experience issues with Nixie recognizing my devices. This issue is directly connected to my interface. With the interface off there are no issues.
It will then eventually lose its detection of my Strymons when I go about using the MC6Pro. This causes me to have to turn off a bunch of stuff and then turn it all back on in a special order and it is extremely lame.
I have been searching for months on how to solve this. My best guess is that I need some sort of aggregate device in my Audio MIDI setup. In the past I have done this with two audio devices. This is more complex because the Interface is recognized as an audio device and the MC6Pro is not.
In the editor, there is a MIDI Thru check under the Editor Settings tab. This sends out a SysE message from the Editor, and if everything is configured properly, the editor should receive the same SysEx message back and it will be indicated that the message is received:
The MC simply acts as a USB MIDI interface in this case, so if this works then the issue is likely related to Nixie. I find that in their app, you can’t select specifically which MIDI port to use, and the Nixie app sends the data out to all MIDI ports.
Is the Virtual USB MIDI port setting for the MC set to 1?
I ran the Midi Thru Check and the Test message was received. I did after turning on all the units and software in the state that allows Nixie to detect the pedals. I need to try to figure out how to check on the Virtual USB Port to see if it is set to 1.
Looks like it is. If it is exclusively a Nixie issue then I guess there is no hope? If I could connect the Audio Interface and the midi interface as an aggregate device I was hoping that this would possibly help. Seems like this is not possible from what I can tell.
Thanks for the info. It seems likely that it is related to Nixie. Nixie works by sending and receiving MIDI messages through the USB MIDI interface to communicate with the Strymon devices. If it is not detecting then that means that Nixie isn’t sending/receiving.
I just tested this on my macOS and I’m facing the same issue as well.
With only the MC connected to my computer, nixie works. The moment I connect my PreSonus 24c to the computer, Nixie stops working i.e. my Timeline cannot be detected.
Now, with both devices connected to my computer, after switching the MIDI cables from the MC to the 24c, Nixie works again. That means that when a new MIDI interface is connected to the computer, Nixie chooses to communicate via that interface and ignores the prior.
The MIDI settings in Nixie shows both devices but I always find it odd that they do not let you select which port to use:
