michael1@ihuxi.UUCP (fingers mcgee) (02/21/84)
SITUATION: I have recently purchased a MIDI compatible synthesizer
and am looking into purchasing a MACintosh or PC compact
computer to interface with.
REQUEST: I would like to know what protocol is involved in this
interface. What hardware is needed? The owners manual
came with only the hardware specs for MIDI, but what
is the actual protocol? Packets? Are there any
references I can acquire? Someone once wrote of a MIDI
users group or newsletter (for a fee!); could you
repost?
Thanx in advance,
M.K. Pula
IH 4G-421 x5927norskog@fortune.UUCP (Lance Norskog) (02/22/84)
The MIDI interface is promulgated by:
Sequential Circuits Inc.
3051 N. First St.
San Jose, CA
(408) 946-5240
Just send them $10 and they'll send you the whole spec.
Lance C. Norskog
Fortune Systems, 101 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City, CA
{cbosgd,hpda,harpo,sri-unix,amd70,decvax!ihnp4,allegra}!fortune!norskogtynor@uiucuxc.UUCP (02/25/84)
#R:ihuxi:-80900:uiucuxc:30800013:000:234
uiucuxc!tynor Feb 24 12:17:00 1984
ROLAND sells a MIDI RS232 interface. It lists for about
$150. I saw an ad for it in a recent KEYBOARD (I think)...
Steve Tynor
ihnp4!uiucdcs!uiucuxc!tynor
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbanamichael1@ihuxi.UUCP (Strider) (09/06/84)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BACKGROUND:
In keeping with the MIDI craze, I recently purchased the ROLAND
MPU-401 and IBM computer interface card. (For those of you who
are unfamiliar with the MPU-401, it is an intelligent interface
using a CPU and an LSI hand-shake controller for the MIDI bus
system. The usual has taken place. Roland has put out what
looks like a real killer interface box, but with a miniscual (sp?)
amount of documentation. Although they have some software out there,
I thought I would try my hand at programming the box, seeing as I
couldn't afford another $200 for their software.
PROBLEM:
At present, I only have BASICA on my IBM-PC. The trouble is that
all of the examples are written in assembler, and while I have no
problem reading the language, there are just some things you can't
do in basic! My questions are:
1). Does it matter which way the computer <-> MPU-401 cable is
attached? That is, can either end (both males) plug into
either side?
2). Do you have to have two DIN connecters connected to both
IN & OUT of the MPU-401? That is, do you have to have a
communications loop?
3). Will the DIN connectors from RADIO SHACK etc. work?
4). Can I do something simple from BASICA, like simply control
the metronome? If so, what is the command sequence? (note:
I tried $83.)
5). If there is anyone who has any experience or no experience
with this interface, I like to hear from you!
Thanx,
mike
-