=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- APPLE II MUSIC & SOUND FORUM CONFERENCE LOG July 22, 1992 10 PM ET Topic: MIDI, Music and the Apple IIGS Forum Leader: Joyce Madden (AFL JoyceM), Forum Assistant: Gene Koh (AFA Gene) Forum Consultants: Greg Dib (ELECTMUSIC), Ed Rosenblatt (AFC Eddie), Lindsay Hough (LindsayGS) Copyright (c) 1992 America Online All Rights Reserved =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- AFC Eddie Th topic tonite is MIDI sequencing, tho it doesn't have to be. Do you have any questions about MIDI or music on your GS? StingRay63 Well, if one were starting out pretty much from scratch, and wanted to "play" with generating music on this machine, what would you suggest one buy? AFC Eddie Well, it depends on what you mean by "play." There's a real fun program called Jam Session where you can Jam along and improvise with a computer band in a wide variety of styles! There's also an inexpensive program called Diversitune which lets you play pre-recorded songs or record your own via MIDI. But for entering your own music on Diversitune, you need a MIDI device. With Music Studio, you can create your own music with or without a Device, just using the mouse to enter notes, then playing back. StingRay63 So that would be something like Audio Animator? AFC Eddie Well, Audio Animator actually does four things: AFC Eddie First, it includes hardware and software to digitize your own sounds. Second, it is a MIDI interface, allowing you to connect a MIDI device to your GS. Third, it has sequencing software for you to create your own sequences. Finally, it's a stereo card! StingRay63 So what exactly are sequences?? I've seen that term thrown around. AFC Eddie A sequence is like a musical multi-track recording, only done on your computer. It's much more flexible than tape recording because it's easier to edit and change speeds without affecting pitch. StingRay63 So is that what synthLAB uses? AFC Eddie SynthLAB songs are actually MIDI sequences. AFC Eddie You can sequence directly through SynthLAB, or, if you need real editing power, you can use Mastertracks and then convert the sequence to SynthLAB format with a program called MIDImate. StingRay63 Mastertracks ... that's the high dollar program, is it not? AFC Eddie Well, there are two versions, the Pro version being much more expensive, but more powerful too. The other is Mastertracks Jr. It's great for beginners, but you need a MIDI device. StingRay63 The last time I was here, they were saying that those programs are hard to come by now-a-days. Is that true? AFC Eddie Yes, but there's a place called Sound Management in MA that might have some more of them. If you're interested, let me know. StingRay63 So what does the Pro version give you over the Jr.? AFC Eddie The Pro version allows you to edit individual notes, changing their start and end time, pitch, duration, MIDI channel, etc. With Jr., you more or less edit by measure. StingRay63 And these both have graphical interfaces? AFC Eddie Yes, both do. And both allow up to 64 tracks of music! StingRay63 64?? And the GS can handle that? AFC Eddie Yes, but you need the MIDI devices to play the sequences through! It lets your GS play the sequence through the instrument. StingRay63 That would make for a long refrain of "Row, Row, Row your Boat"! :) AFC Eddie Right!!! :) StingRay63 So, you need a device that connects to the GS that generates MIDI, and a MIDI device to actually play the stuff? AFC Eddie No, Stingray, the MIDI instrument is used for both recording and playback! Multi-timbral instruments have the capability of playing more than one instrument sound at a time, so you can play a multi-track sequence through it! StingRay63 This is a keyboard, module, or something along those lines? AFC Eddie MIDI is the name for the system of delivering the data to and from the instrument and the computer. StingRay63 So, if one were going the cheap route (at first anyway), one could use synthLAB to play the sequences, but only 8 channels, right? AFC Eddie Correct, that's all SynthLAB will support. Of course, SynthLAB is now part of System 6! StingRay63 True. :) And it does some pretty amazing stuff from what I've seen thus far! And I didn't even have to buy a sound board!!! :) AFC Eddie Have you tried some of the songs in our SynthLAB library? StingRay63 Yes, I have. AFC Eddie They sound best with a stereo card. AFC Eddie You can get a great one, the Sonic Blaster, for only $59 now. StingRay63 Is that the same as an Audio Animator without the MIDI capability? AFC Eddie Yes, more or less. I recommend it, instead of Audio Animator, since its MIDI capability is not the best. StingRay63 So what would you recommend that would allow playing/recording MIDI? AFC Eddie I would recommend the Sonic Blaster for stereo and digitizing, and the Apple MIDI interface for connecting a Device. It's a better and less expensive combination. StingRay63 Really?? So what does Apple's card usually sell for? AFC Eddie You can get one from any Apple dealer for under $100. Usually $75-$89. That's how I do it! StingRay63 Apple Dealer? Isn't that an oxymoron? :) At least in terms of the GS! AFC Eddie The MIDI interface works with both GS's and Macs, so they're usually in stock! But yeah, you're right! StingRay63 Oh, that would explain it!! But my "dealer" didn't want to sell me a GS, so I mail ordered it, and told myself he wasn't getting any of my business. AFC Eddie Good for you! StingRay63 With the Sonic Blaster, you just hook up speakers? No amp needed? AFC Eddie You plug the Blaster inside your GS, and hook up speakers to it, It contains its own powerful amp. Some people use an amp in addition, tho. I don't. I have mine turned down really low, and it's still loud! StingRay63 But, when one is playing hard rock, it needs to be loud!!! :) AFC Eddie You're right. I think almost all music sounds best loud! StingRay63 And you mentioned digitizing ... does it come with software to handle that also? AFC Eddie Yes, it comes with great digitizing software, but will work with other software as well, including AudioZap, a shareware digitizing program you can download from here! StingRay63 I think I got that one. :) And MODzap, and soniqtracker, and.... AFC Eddie Right! With the Sonic Blaster, all your GS games will sound terrific! Not to mention SynthLAB, SoundSmith, etc! StingRay63 That sounds like that would be a good investment (no pun intended). AFC Eddie Yup. StingRay63 So how does the Sonic Blaster work? Does it intercept all the data that is going to the speaker/headphone jack? AFC Eddie Nope. Sound comes through both. There are some programs that don't support the blaster, but most are older IIe/IIc programs that come through the speaker only. StingRay63 Oh, so you turn down the volume to the speaker. AFC Eddie The programs we spoke of tonite, SynthLAB, SoundSmith, MODZap, MusicStudio, etc. all support the Blaster. AFC Eddie You can turn down the speaker if you like, or even easily disconnect it. I leave mine connected. StingRay63 You mentioned that you could possibly get some info on Mastertracks. I would be interested, if you could find out anything. AFC Eddie The people to contact on that are at Sound Management, 1-800-548-4907. The Sonic Blaster is $59.95 from Quality Computers, 1-800-777-3642. StingRay63 Well, thanks for the info. Looks like time is about up. AFC Eddie I hope I answered some of your questions! StingRay63 Yes, you did. Like I said, I'm still learning about this thing. :) AFC Eddie If you have more, you know where to turn! StingRay63 Thanx! AFC Eddie --------------------------- LOG OFF ------------------------