Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!ukma!widener!dsinc!wells!alba2l!rescon!pacs!ewb6720 From: ewb6720@pacs.UUCP ( Eric W. Bray) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ti Subject: Re: Rave 99 keyboard and hard-floppy drive controllers Summary: midi Message-ID: <413@pacs.UUCP> Date: 3 Jun 91 03:41:06 GMT References: <2737@lee.SEAS.UCLA.EDU> <406@pacs.UUCP> <408@pacs.UUCP> <409@pacs.UUCP> Distribution: usa Organization: Philadelphia Area Computer Society Lines: 114 ============================================================================== ============================================================================== ============================================================================== A Few NOTES on MIDI Master 99 version 2.21 MIDI Master 99 (here after knows as MM99) allows connection and communication with MIDI compatible devices. MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. MM99 uses the RS232 card and custom sequencing software to achieve input and output communication with MIDI interface-equipped devices. Some of the MIDI devices on the market today are well within the price range of home computer owners, and in fact, are quite popular with users of Commodore, IBM and Apple computers. MM99 allows 1 input port and 1 output port per RS232 port, so if two RS232 cards on the computer, with "Y" cables, you have the capability of controlling 4 MIDI IN ports and 4 MIDI OUT ports. MIDI is defined by a national committee to allow access to MIDI equipped devices and comunication between them on 16 channels. These channels are seperate and independent pathways in which notes, messages, and communication occurs between keyboard and keyboard, or computer and keyboard, or computer and computer. Note playing is the simplest application of MIDI, where it is allowed to play an unlimited number of polyphonic notes on each channel (depending on the MIDI device). The CASIO CT 680 allows two modes of operation, a 16-note polyphonic mode (on one channel only), or a multi-timbral (multi instrumental) mode in which 4 channels are available to control 4 instruments within the synthesizer, with 6, 4, 2, and 4 notes polyphonically available to the 4 selected channels. Unlike the TI sound generator which is 3 note polyphonic (plus one noise) MIDI synthesizers can produce the real sounds of many different instruments, and built in rhythms. The TI sound chip produces square waves similar to the wood organ instrument available on the CASIO MT240 synthesizer. The CASIO MT240 has 29 other instrument sounds accessible through the MIDI interface. MIDI allows control over the instrumentation as well as the orchestration, and all of the subtleties that occur in music. The possibilities and combinations are only limited by your imagination. Beautiful and different music is possible and will change your opinion forever on the usefullness of your computer in designing music. The TI is capable of graphics, and with expansion with graphic board, it is possible to have complex and beautiful graphics. Likewise, the TI has interesting sound capabilities, and with MIDI Master 99 the expansion to MIDI communication makes sound complex and beautiful. You don't even have to know how to play the piano to use MIDI. In fact, if you would like to learn how to play the piano, it is possible using a MIDI keyboard and a computer, with the proper program in operation. If you are familiar with music then MIDI opens a whole new world of computing for you. The MIDI device becomes an extra peripheral which you can use for expansion to your system. Communication with MIDI devices is possible with MM99 in two different ways. First, there is the sequencer and compiler software. Version 2.21 of MM99 allows compiling and playing of SNF (Symbolic Note Format) note files. It also allows precise control over the instrumentation through which the notes are played. It supports all 16 channels available on MIDI 1.0 devices. (The current standard MIDI device is under version 1.0.) SNF file format is an intuitive, easy format through which notes, comments, and channel directives are placed for compiling with the MM99 compiler. SNF is a public domain file format created specifically to use with MM99. SNF files are created and edited using any DV80 file editor, such as TI Writer, My-word, Editor/ Assembler, or similar text editors. Sheet music of your favorite music is readily available, and is very easy to enter, edit, and compile. After compilation, MM99 music can be saved in fast-loading memory image format. The second way to access MIDI is through extended BASIC. There are routines available with CALL LINK to access up to 4 MIDI OUT ports and 4 MIDI IN ports. With the routines it is possible to sense for MIDI data on any of the MIDI IN ports, send data out any of the MIDI OUT ports, and to switch between them qt any time. If your keyboard requires special pre-programming or initialization, then run a program using the above mentioned routines to send the proper initialization data. It is therefore imperative to learn the proper way to communicate with your MItI device, in much the same way you communicate with a printer using escape codes. This is necessary for the extended BASIC portion of the program, but not necessary for the MM99 sequencer. However, you can combine the two for full access and programming of the MIDI synthesizer. MIDI Master 99 version 2.21 is available exclusively from Crystal Software. This firm has been set up by the author, Michael Maksimik, to support and expand on the MIDI interface for the TI home computer and the Myarc 9640. The necessary hardware to run MIDI Master 99 v. 2.21 is a disk system with at least one double sided drive, 32k memory expansion, and extended BASIC. The RS232 interface is also needed (a TI RS232 compatible device) and a MIDI synthesizer or and MIDI compatible device. It is recommended thqt you also use, as optional equipment for greater convenience, a p-GRAM card, a superspace, supercart, or gram-karte to take advantage of the cartridge feature--that is, instead of Extended BASIC being used to load MIDI Master 99, it can be loaded in as cartridge into any RAM expansion at >6000 to >7FFF, which these devices provide. MIDI Master has been tested in a p-GRAM and a superspace/ superspace II. It has also been tested (and developed) on a Myarc 9640 and works using Barry Boone's EXEC utility, and also loads as a GPL cartridge, or under E/A as a memory image file (program image option 5). As an added incentive to purchase MM99 v 2.21, any registered owners will receive, upon it's completion, the planned MIDI Master 99 v 3.0, which will support all of the features of MM99 v 2.21 as well as CakeWalk file format compatibility, and added memory such as the memory availalbe in a Myarc 9640, or a p-GRAM or horizon Ramdisk with RAMBO and ROS v 8.14. Version 3.0 will also support scanning of the MIDI port in the sequencer, for recording of your piano playing, for example, while at the same time the sequencer plays music. Version 3.0 will be released soon, but all developments of v 2.21 will be fully compatible with version 3.0. MM99 v 2.21 can be abtained by sending a check or money order for $45.00 to the author, Michael J Maksimik, Crystal Software Project, 635 Mackinaw Ave, Calumet City, IL 60409. Checks should be made out to Michael J Maksimik. Include $2.50 for shipping. Once again, MIDI Master 99 V 2.21 includes the full assembly language sequencer, the MIDI interface and 2 patch cables, the Extended BASIC MIDI routines, and full documentation. Also included are songs suitable for compiling and extended BASIC demonstrations. Upon sending in a post card with the proper information, and upon completion of version 3.0, the new version with documentation will be sent. As added support, MIDI is now supported in a download section on the Chicago User's group BBS, of which the author is the sysop. It is hoped that MIDI becomes an integral part of the TI community, and provides the TI with more years of life.