Case Study: Solving Yamaha Montage 8 MIDI Note Issues in Logic Pro

Experiencing missing or hanging MIDI notes when a Yamaha Montage 8 is connected to Logic Pro? This issue can be caused by the Montage inadvertently sending MIDI data on multiple Performance Parts simultaneously. In this case study, Paul Andrews of Audio Support explains how he remotely diagnosed and resolved this problem for a client by identifying and changing the active Performance preset on the Montage.

Client’s Initial Request

Hi Paul. I have a Yamaha Montage 8 keyboard that is connected to an Apple Macbook Air (2024) in order to use Logic Pro. It works, however when I play more than one note on the keyboard (ie a chord) not all of the notes sound. Is this something you can help resolve? I’ve looked at Google/forums/YouTube and tried things out but nothing has worked. – T

Arranging a Remote Support Session

I received the above message from a new client via my website enquiry form and replied to let them know that yes, this was exactly the sort of problem I could help him resolve. I sent him my booking link, and he booked and paid for an hour’s remote support appointment for later that day.

Identifying the Problem: Erratic MIDI

Once my client and I were speaking via WhatsApp and we had our screens connected via AnyDesk he explained the problem in more detail.

He showesd me a very simple Logic Pro project with a single software instrument track. His only connected MIDI device was a Yamaha Montage 8 keyboard. When he tried to play chords into this software instrument, the MIDI notes would behave strangely. Notes were missing and sometimes notes would start to play but wouldn’t stop.

Checking Audio MIDI Setup on MacOS

I started my investigation by checking over my client’s Audio MIDI Setup window inside Applications/Utilities, but I could see nothing unusual. The Montage showed as a normal MIDI device with 4 active ports.

Examining Logic Pro’s MIDI Input Devices

I then went back to Logic and opened up the Environment window and the Clicks and Ports page sub-page. This allowed me to monitor the raw MIDI data that was being sent from the keyboard into Logic.

Immediately I could see the problem in the Input View monitor object:

As you can see in the screenshot of the Logic Pro Environment above, a single C2 note played on the Montage was being sent over MIDI channels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Key Discovery: Multiple MIDI Channels were being sent from the Montage 8

My client was pressing a single note on the keyboard, but the same note was being sent over five MIDI channels. Logic’s software instruments were attempting to play all five channels at once and becoming overwhelmed by the MIDI data.

Temporary Workaround: Restricting Logic Pro to a single MIDI Channel

I set up a quick Channel Splitter object inside Logic’s environment to test my theory:

By routing MIDI channels 2-4 out of the Sequencer Input this should temporarily fix the problem. My client went back to the Arrange window and played a software instrument from his keyboard. I was pleased to hear him report that all the MIDI was now being played correctly.

This solution was only temporary, however. If my client loaded a new Logic project, the environment settings would be reset and the problem would return. We needed to stop the Montage sending over five channels.

Identifying the Root Cause: Yamaha Montage 8 Performance Settings

We pulled up the Yamaha Montage manual online, and I skimmed through to find the relevant section on Multi-Part Performances

Understanding Multi-Part Performances

The Permanent Solution: Selecting a Single-Part ‘Init’ Performance on the Montage 8

Using the manual I guided my client through the process of deactivating Parts inside a Performance. After experimenting with the Montage 8 keyboard’s settings we found the easiest way for him to deactivate the parts was to select an Init (initial) performance with just one active Part.

Additional Support

Solving this problem took about twenty minutes and my client had paid for an hour of my time, so we spent the rest of the session looking at some features of Logic Pro and how it relates to his Montage 8 keyboard.

I showed my client:

• How to load Drummer tracks into his project
• How to use Logic’s Library window to select Software Instrument sounds
• Where to find Bus Send controls to set the amount of reverb used in the software instruments
• How to record the audio output of his keyboard to allow him to use the Montage’s sounds as well as Logic’s sounds in his projects

Concluding the Remote Support Session

At the end of the hour’s remote support session my client was pleased that we had:

• Resolved the MIDI recording problem
• Learnt new ways of using Logic Pro

Client’s Review

After the session, my client was kind enough to send me this nice review via WhatsApp:

I was at the point of throwing my laptop and money away as I was so frustrated that I could even get my Yamaha montag 8 and pro logic to sync properly. My partner found Paul. At first I was skeptical as paying out money for something that might get fixed is a concern. However I took the leap and contacted. Paul was able to go through a few ideas of what the problem might be and within 15 minutes we had found the problem. We found a quick solution but Paul pushed on to see what issues were wrong on my keyboard side. Thankfully we found an easy solution and I have been able to continue my music. Thank you Paul. Highly recommended for his calm approach. Keep doing what you do. Will pass onto friends who use the software.

Key Takeaways:

The Problem

Missing or hanging MIDI notes when using a Yamaha Montage 8 with Logic Pro can be caused by the Montage sending MIDI data on multiple Performance Parts simultaneously.

The Diagnosis

Remotely monitoring the raw MIDI input in Logic Pro’s Environment revealed the simultaneous multi-channel data.

The Solution

The issue was resolved by selecting an “Init” Performance preset on the Yamaha Montage 8, which utilizes a single active Part for MIDI output.

Expert Insight

Complex MIDI issues may require advanced diagnostic techniques beyond standard troubleshooting.

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