Path: utzoo!utdoe!generic!pnet91!sb
From: sb@pnet91.cts.com (Stephen Brown)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: MIDI Interfaces
Message-ID: <640@generic.UUCP>
Date: 21 Apr 91 07:45:01 GMT
Sender: root@generic.UUCP
Organization: People-Net [pnet91], Etobicoke, ON
Lines: 43

v097pba8@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (Ken F Morton) writes:
>In article <9104200204.AA06989@apple.com>, MQUINN@UTCVM.BITNET writes...
>> 
>>I'm JUST about to 'close a deal' with the Music department at UT Chattanooga.
>>I'm talking them into getting some GSs with some MIDI equipment and
>>software.  I need some info though...
>> 
>>1.  What software is available?
>>    -how good is it (especially compared to mac MIDI stuff?)
>>    -Is there composition software available (one of their specific questions)
>
>	Music Writer Professional by Pyware.  40 Staves, MIDI, it can
>also play the piece with the GS's ensoniq.  I personally don't think it's
>all that wonderful and it's a tad quirky.

MusicWriter (by Pyware) is more than just quirky. It was obviously written by
programmers who had limited knowledge of music. Even at 1/5th of its $500
cost, I still wouldn't bother with it.

DiversiTune is much more robust than almost anything else I've seen for the
GS. The problem is that its user interface is cumbersome and punching in & out
is awkward... it also doesn't produce notes in staves. Seriously worth looking
at...

SoundSmith, though impressive, gives music that "spreadsheet" quality that
should be avoided at all costs. 

In terms of MIDI boxes, anything that works on the Mac (there are a few Yamaha
models) will work on the GS as well. Apple's own box is overpriced, and
stripped down to the minimum number of features... it doesn't even have a MIDI
though.  :(

You can build you own for $30 or less...


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| Stephen Brown                           Toronto, Canada |
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