When auditioning MIDI files in the MediaBay using an external hardware synth, Cubase initially plays back correctly but becomes stuck after previewing one or two files. Once this occurs, the entire Cubase application freezes and becomes unresponsive, requiring forced termination.
This issue does not occur when auditioning the same MIDI files using an internal VST instrument, where playback remains stable.
What is the external hardware synth, and is that the only MIDI device connected?
Pete
Microsoft
I cannot replicate this issue. On my side everything is fine (Win 10).
Iām on Windows 11.
This issue occurs with external synths such as the PROPHETā6 or JUPITERāX connected via USB, as well as with other synths connected through DIN MIDI or USB to my mioXL.
Auditioning the MIDI files with Retrologue works perfectly with no issues.
The reason Iām asking for details is there are issues with inMusic (AKAI, RANE, Numark, m-audio, Alesis etc.) drivers (they all have the same code base) which case the MIDI service to lock up, even if thatās not the device you are communicating with at that moment. The lock up happens when we close the connection to the driver, so it would make sense that it might happen after playing one MIDI file, if you have those drivers installed.
The preview fix for that, and for loopMIDI/rtpMIDI (which the mioXL can use) and other dynamic port creation, is on our Discord server Windows MIDI / Audio . Read the pinned post in #start-here for more info.
If you donāt want to do that, the fix will go into Windows starting next week. But after the bits are installed, it takes up to 30 days to be enabled on every PC that has updates enabled. The process is explained in the #key-release-updates channel.
The other driver issue is KORG. This doesnāt look like that, however. Nevertheless, hereās KORGās request to stop using their USB drivers: https://www.korg.com/us/news/2026/0312/
Pete
Microsoft
Thanks, Pete.
No KORG drivers are installed on my PC.
Iāve installed Windows MIDI Services (KSA Transport Preview) 1.0.17-preview.17.11āx64, and Iām still experiencing the same issue.
In general, the whole MIDI environment has been acting up over the past few months. I have dozens of synths and other gear, and I can barely work.
After terminating the MIDI service and restarting it, I can use the MIDI devices in MIDIāOX, but not in Cubase as they should work.
Ok. If you want to work through these, join the Discord server (sounds like you have) and start a thread in #midi-user-questions with specifics on the devices. Screenshots from device manager āSound, video and game controllersā usually help.
In most cases, itāll be a single driver causing the problem.
Pete
Microsoft
After digging deeper, I found that āUse Device āWinRT MIDIāā was checked in Studio Setup. I unchecked it, and now the MIDI works as it should.