Logic Pro, Express, MainStage, GarageBand: Timer inactive or MIDI timeout alert

If you use a MIDI device with Logic Pro, Logic Express, MainStage, or GarageBand, you may encounter one of these alert messages when opening the application

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  • "Timer or Midi-Output inactive! Check other applications using Timer or Midi or run Setup again"
  • "Timeout or Timer inactive! Check other applications using Timer or MIDI"
  • "MIDI timeout"

These issues may be caused by out of date third-party MIDI drivers.

To resolve the issue

  1. Quit any applications using MIDI.
  2. Remove all MIDI drivers from
    /Library/Audio/MIDI Drivers/
  3. Choose Log Out from the Apple () menu.
  4. Log in.
  5. Reopen the affected application.

If the application works as expected, the issue was with one of the MIDI drivers you removed. Check with the manufacturer for updated drivers.

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