Has anyone else seen a problem with RB crashing when opening MIDI files?
I have, so far, two MIDI files that cause RB 2016 to immediately crash when attempting to open the file. No error dialog from RB just a crash dialog from Windows 10.
This happens every time with each of the MIDI files in question.
Suggestions from PGMusic so far haven't resolved the issue.
The MIDI files load and play fine in Reaper, in RB 2014 and other MIDI players.
Running on Win 10 with 8 GB RAM, installed on the internal Hard Drive.
Currently running RB 2016 build 2. The fix list for build 3 didn't appear to have anything that would directly address the crash that I'm seeing, but I plan on installing it and retest.
Using an external Ketron SD4 synth module so this isn't an issue with a soft synth, RB should just be sending MIDI data from the file to the MIDI device. Of course it could be possible that there is some issue with the MSoft MIDI stack, but that would appear to be unlikely since the same files load and play just fine with Reaper on the same machine.
I checked one file and there are no SysEx or "unsupported" CCs.
I sent that first file to PGMusic to see if they could duplicate the the crash but it has been a couple of days and I haven't heard anything back yet, so I thought I would check to see if anyone here has seen anything similar.
If I remember correctly there were some MIDI files that did not play in some DAWs. The MIDI file headers were not compatible. I think Sonar had this problem with some MIDI files. The solution was to load the file into something else, in your case Reaper, then save it under a different name and then the new file would load in the DAW.
I hope this helps.
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64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Before you get too far along in your testing, you might want to update your verson of RealBand from build 2 to build 3. The update is available ++ HERE ++
As mentioned the file(s) in question load just fine in RB 2014 (I skipped the 2015 upgrade). They also load and play just fine in ever other DAW that I have access to.
I already tried the trick of pulling it into Reaper (where it plays fine) and saving it as a new MIDI file, same crash on loading it into RB 2016.
I'll install the build 3 update for RB 2016 next time I have that machine on and see it that makes any difference.
If that still crashes then I'll post the file, but I'll also dissect the file a track at a time to see if I can isolate the track that causes RB 2016 to choke.
I had a chance to dissect the 2 MIDI files. I pulled them into Reaper and found that deleting track #1 allows RB 2016 to load the files without crashing.
I'll see if I can look at track one to see what is there, most likely there is a SysEx (or something similar) but unknown SysEx are supposed to be ignored by a Synth that doesn't understand them, so RB should just be passing the SysEx on to the external synth module and not crashing.
If anyone gets a chance to confirm the crash with the file I posted the link for earlier that's fine, but it appears to likely be a new buglet in RB 2016 that is choking on something in a SysEx.
For one thing the Properties say it is a Read-Only file for computer users (there are write ot modify permissions like there would normally be). Administrators do have full access. It also says it may be blocked as suspicious .. since I do not know the source I choose to leave it alone here, but you may want to try these items.
It crashed here also, but if you saved it in Reaper first you may have reset the permissions.. It would be interesting to see the event list for Track 1 though if that is indeed the cause.
Last edited by rharv; 01/17/1608:35 AM.
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I had also found that BIAB didn't have a problem with the MIDI files in question, but had forgotten to mention it.
It does not appear to be any kind of a permissions issue. It is something in the first track that RB 2016 is choking on. When I get a chance I'll try to look at the track content in another MIDI DAW, but I've also ping'd pgmusic again letting them know that deleting the first track from the MIDI resolves the issue and that they may want to look at the content of the first track and see why RB 2016 is choking on it.
Burt Do make sure you send PG Music a copy of the MIDI file that crashes RB. Even if it's not playable, I'm sure they'll want to handle it gracefully, rather than letting it crash the program.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
HI GUYS Yes that last post has to be it the web address is the first event on track one and probably the first event in the midi Maybe windows 10 or real band are trying to literally implement it as an active link and go on line . Not the right place to insert that type of text in a midi file anyway, as a lyric!!!! Plenty of scope for meta data or text events, Just my thoughts Mike
I have problem when fill in with midi drums patterns over 80 bars. Another thing: Also my horisontal scroll bar is too broad to be useful at all in RB 2016
Just thought I'd report back what pgmusic found with the file.
Track 1 had an "invalid" character in the text string which contained SIBELIUS right before the 'S'. This was triggering the crash in RB 2016 (it also had issues in RB 2015 but they were able to get an error log to see where the problem was).
This bug has been passed on to development and hopefully it will be fixed in the next RB 2016 patch update.
Thanks for the feedback Burt, this can be valuable for others who might experience a similar issue.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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