diff --git a/Content.Server/Instruments/InstrumentSystem.cs b/Content.Server/Instruments/InstrumentSystem.cs
index fbd379ac1c..e74d9e2832 100644
--- a/Content.Server/Instruments/InstrumentSystem.cs
+++ b/Content.Server/Instruments/InstrumentSystem.cs
@@ -155,20 +155,20 @@ public sealed partial class InstrumentSystem : SharedInstrumentSystem
                 instrument.DirtyRenderer = false;
             }
 
-            if ((instrument.BatchesDropped >= MaxMidiBatchesDropped
-                 || instrument.LaggedBatches >= MaxMidiLaggedBatches)
-                && instrument.InstrumentPlayer != null && instrument.RespectMidiLimits)
+            if (instrument.RespectMidiLimits && instrument.InstrumentPlayer != null &&
+                (instrument.BatchesDropped >= MaxMidiBatchesDropped
+                 || instrument.LaggedBatches >= MaxMidiLaggedBatches))
             {
-                // Just in case
-                Clean((instrument).Owner);
-                instrument.UserInterface?.CloseAll();
-
-                if (instrument.InstrumentPlayer.AttachedEntity is {Valid: true} mob)
+                if (instrument.InstrumentPlayer?.AttachedEntity is {Valid: true} mob)
                 {
                     _stunSystem.TryParalyze(mob, TimeSpan.FromSeconds(1), true);
 
-                    instrument.Owner.PopupMessage(mob, "instrument-component-finger-cramps-max-message");
+                    instrument.Owner.PopupMessage(mob, Loc.GetString("instrument-component-finger-cramps-max-message"));
                 }
+
+                // Just in case
+                Clean((instrument).Owner);
+                instrument.UserInterface?.CloseAll();
             }
 
             instrument.Timer += frameTime;
diff --git a/Content.Shared/Instruments/SharedInstrumentComponent.cs b/Content.Shared/Instruments/SharedInstrumentComponent.cs
index 4918a7d693..dc99aa8eed 100644
--- a/Content.Shared/Instruments/SharedInstrumentComponent.cs
+++ b/Content.Shared/Instruments/SharedInstrumentComponent.cs
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ public class SharedInstrumentComponent : Component
     public bool AllowProgramChange { get ; set; }
 
     [DataField("respectMidiLimits"), ViewVariables(VVAccess.ReadWrite)]
-    public bool RespectMidiLimits { get; set; }
+    public bool RespectMidiLimits { get; set; } = true;
 
     [ViewVariables(VVAccess.ReadWrite)]
     public bool DirtyRenderer { get; set; }
diff --git a/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Objects/Fun/instruments.yml b/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Objects/Fun/instruments.yml
index 898f1c5eb0..04eb8c0567 100644
--- a/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Objects/Fun/instruments.yml
+++ b/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Objects/Fun/instruments.yml
@@ -236,6 +236,7 @@
   - type: Instrument
     allowPercussion: true
     allowProgramChange: true
+    respectMidiLimits: false
   - type: Sprite
     sprite: Objects/Fun/Instruments/h_synthesizer.rsi
     state: icon