Ableton Forum

Hi all, first of all I'm a long time reader, first time poster. This is one of the best message boards and I appreciate all the information you guys have left on here. I have a dilemma that I can't find a solution for.

I have an M-Audio Axiom 49 Midi Controller running USB into my laptop. For some reason, it plays fine on Live and I can map everything just fine, but at random times during my performance it will cut out and wont work until I restart Live again. I am seriously losing it now because I have a big show coming up and I need a fix for this. I have tried all of the following:

1) Installed the latest M-audio drivers

2) Switched USB ports (direct to laptop, no hub)

3) Disabled power management on all devices related to the controller

Now one thing I will say, and only Axiom users can answer this one....

My Axiom's USB port feels a bit "loose". Still, I shake the cable and it works fine. It only loses power when I unplug it completely. Another thing, this wouldn't be such an issue if Live needed to restart after the controller goes off, is there a way to make Live recognize a device after it's been plugged in (while Live is running)?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm pretty desperate right now and will try anything.

Thanks guys.
www.myspace.com/indigovox

when Live loses he axiom, is it still powered?

does it happen on all the USB ports of your comp?

with Windows, you HAVE to restart Live if a USB controller gets disconnected.
on Mac you can plug it and unplug it at will....

I had this same problem when i first installed my axiom, it was like live would just quit listening to the axiom after 20 or 30 minutes.

I was never able to reproduce this in other software while using the axiom, but it hasn't done this in the last few weeks. I've never noticed a loose USB connection, but right now i'm wanting to chuck the axiom out the window for other reasons.

I have tried it on every USB port on my laptop and also on my desktop system running Live. It's very sporadic. After posting this I tried finishing a song and it went through a spurt where the computer started doing the USB in/out chime and then after restarting Live, it worked for a few hours no problems. It's just annoying the hell out of me. I will tell you though that when this happens, the LCD on the Axiom dims in and out like a strobe. Could it possibly be that the ports dont supply enough power for the unit? My next step is buying an AC Adapter. Hopefully I can get it at Radio Shack.

thanks guys!

Solution: New Axiom

Supposedly from what the Guitar Center rep told me, there was a bad batch of some 1,000 Axioms shipped that were faulty. hey dont hold power and this was the case with mine. If your Axiom is experiencing the problems described above, exchange it or return for warranty repair. It is not an Ableton issue.

Thanks for the help guys!!

www.myspace.com/indigovox