When it comes to solving problems with an entire setup (ie, more than one, self-contained piece of equipment), you need to learn how to do something called "trouble-shooting". What this involves is simply going through your entire setup, one item at time, isolating that individual piece of equipment and checking that it is operating as you expect.

If you suspect that a particular item is the source of your problems, try to remove just that one item from your setup. Replace it with a suitable, substitute item (or nothing at all if your system can operate without that one item). If your problems disappear, then you've found the "bad" item, and can concentrate upon trying to "fix" this one item. Every single detachable item should be regarded as a separate item to be checked, including all cords and cables, power strips, and even each program you're using on your computer.

Don't go running around the room, checking items at random. Start with one item at the end of your MIDI daisy-chain and follow the MIDI connections through to the last item. As you move from item to item, remember to check the MIDI cable connecting the 2 items. Replace it with another MIDI cable and see if that makes any difference. Look for obvious mistakes on each item such as forgetting to turn the power on, forgetting to turn the volume up, connecting a MIDI OUT jack to another MIDI OUT jack or MIDI IN jack to another MIDI IN jack (MIDI OUT or THRU jacks always connect to MIDI IN jacks, and vice versa), forgetting to make an essential connection (such as the power cord or audio cable), etc. Check for loose connections. Plug a pair of headphones directly into the output of a sound module if you suspect a problem with your mixer. Play the sound module from its own local keyboard if you suspect a problem with the MIDI output of your sequencer.

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