[net.music.synth] RS-232

rps@apollo.uucp (Robert Stanzel) (09/12/85)

Does anyone know of a simple, inexpensive instrumental
keyboard that would connect via RS-232, and provide just
up/down transition codes?

Also, I wonder if this approach to keyboard input is
even feasible.  If one hits a big chord, there's certainly
going to be a lack of simultaneity, but it seems tolerable,
and correctable by software.

--

"Satellites are out tonight"

Rob Stanzel             ARPA:  RPS%MIT-OZ@MIT-MC
Apollo Computer         UUCP:  ...{yale,uw-beaver,decvax!wanginst}!apollo!rps

tjt@twitch.UUCP ( T.J.Thompson) (09/14/85)

> Does anyone know of a simple, inexpensive instrumental
> keyboard that would connect via RS-232, and provide just
> up/down transition codes?

I just got some literature on a new product that, although
it doesn't really fit your needs very well, may be interesting
to the readers of this group.  The literature doesn't give
much more detail, so I'll quote from the blurb in Keyboard (Sept)
magazine:

	HINTON MIDI-TO-RS-232/423-INTERFACE - The MIDIC is a MIDI processor
	that contains a full MIDI 1.0 specified interface and an RS-232
	compatible interface for connection to a computer or terminal.
	...  The device has two modes of operation: process mode and interface
	mode.  In process mode, the device may be inserted in the MIDI data
	stream to filter out unwanted MIDI data ... In interface mode, MIDI
	codes may be buffered and converted to RS-232 in either eight-bit
	binary or ASCII hex format.  RS-232 data transfer is controlled by
	CTS and DTR handshakes, and buffering is provided to allow the host
	computer to execute (stuff) without being interrupted.  Timing control
	is included to allow MIDIC to measure incoming data and delay the
	retransmission of outgoing data.  Price is 300 pounds (at the current
	exchange rate, that's ~$400.)  Hinton Instruments, 168 Abingdon Rd,
	Oxford, OX1 4RA, England.

The price is pretty steep, but this is the first MIDI-RS232 interface
I've seen.  As far as I (and the Roland people I called) know, the Roland
MPU-401 only interfaces to Apple/IBM.  Another company that has advertised
one (in Computer Music Journal, I think) is Sound Compositions, but their
phone has been disconnected and mail gets returned, so I don't know if it's
real or not.

Are RS-232 interfaces for MIDI as rare as they appear to be?  If anyone
has information on others, please post!

    ...Tim Thompson...AT&T Bell Labs/Holmdel/NJ...ihnp4!twitch!tjt...