Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!thunder.mcrcim.mcgill.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!usc!jarthur!nntp-server.caltech.edu!toddpw
From: toddpw@nntp-server.caltech.edu (Todd P. Whitesel)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: MIDI Librarian Project
Message-ID: <1991Jan24.004737.9597@nntp-server.caltech.edu>
Date: 24 Jan 91 00:47:37 GMT
References: <55628@eerie.acsu.Buffalo.EDU>
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Lines: 21

v097pba8@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (Ken F Morton) writes:

> However, MIDI is specified as 1 start bit/8 data bits/1 Stop bit.

This is kosher. EVERYBODY uses 1 start bit; it's assumed. MIDI is simply 8N1
serial communications at 31 Kbaud. Apple's MIDI interface is simple isolation
and buffering -- the serial chip on the GS motherboard is quite capable of
doing 31 Kbaud.

>	What I need to know is if BASIC will allow reliable reading of a high
>baud rate.  I also need help on storing the data from the port and also
>modifing it.  I assume it will be binary.

BASIC will be too slow to do anything on the character level that's for sure.
You'll need ML routines just to send and receive the data.

It is most definately binary. I recommend you get your hands on the MIDI spec
before pursuing this too much further.

Todd Whitesel
toddpw @ tybalt.caltech.edu