ewilts%Janus.MRC.AdhocNet.CA%UNCAEDU.BITNET@CORNELLC.CIT.CORNELL.EDU (Ed Wilts - CandianOxy) (12/24/88)
> Requirements for MIDI applications: > 1) The keyboard my friend uses is an Ensonic ESQ-1. I note > some software is specifically for specific keyboards. Is this one > supported by any software, or is software generic enough to use > a variety of keyboards. The software that is usually specific to the hardware (keyboard or rack-mount synthesizers) is an editor/librarian package. Most other software (scoring, sequencing,etc) allows all MIDI keyboards to be used. In Calgary alone, we have driven the following: D-10, MT32, FB01, TX81Z, Fender Chroma, Mirage, DX-7, HP4500, CZ101, RX11, TR505, CZ230, and a few others whose model numbers I can't remember. You will not experience any problems driving the ESQ-1. > 2) My friend wants software that does sequencing and allows the > sequenced input from the keyboard to be transcribed. By this he > needs the input to be output as a printout with notes and all so > he can see what his composition is like. This is going to be your primary problem. Although there are some fairly good sequencers available today, none will allow to place the sequenced notes on a standard musical staff. You can display the event list and print it, but not in standard musical notation. There are companies working on this (including Dr.T KCS/Copyist combination) but I do not believe that they are actually shipping yet. Deluxe Music Construction Set is strong on scoring, but awful for sequencing. MIDI Recording Studio is an excellent starting sequencer, but has no scoring capabilities. > 3) He also needs software that allows various patches to be > included in with new material that has been composed directly > from the MIDI keyboard. Does most standard MIDI software do this? > And how easy is it to do????? If you mean that he has the various patches already on his keyboard, then he willl not have a problem. All standard MIDI software that I have seen on the Amiga allows you to issue patch change requests to the output device. The only problem you may experience is if your device is set up with multiple banks of patches that can not be accessed via a standard program change. The FB-01 is such a box that is set up as 5 banks of 48 patches. The MIDI specification defines patch changes in the range of 0-127, and if your keyboard responds to these then you will not have a problem. The keyboard manual will tell you how it responds (see the MIDI implementation chart). If, however, you mean that you want to create new ESQ-1 patches on the Amiga to send to your keyboard, then you will need a special editor/librarian specifically for the ESQ-1. I do not know if there is one available yet, but there will certainly be one available soon - since these are keyboard specific, it usually takes a while for them to be developed. You can check for with either Dr. T or Sound Quest for availability (they are the most likely to be developing one). Don't forget, though, that you can use the Amiga's sound capabilities as well as the keyboard's. There are several good packages for creating/editing these voices and a large supply of public domain instruments. > 4) Can the software my friend needs be purchased for under $200. > With the $1000 dollar budget for computer and software, and a > local price of A500 and monitor for around $800 or so, this is > about what is left for software purchase. Yes, quite easily. From the Abel price list (mail order prices here): Scoring - Deluxe Music Construction Set $60.78 Sequencing - MIDI Recording Studio $40.22 Amiga editing - Synthia $58.04 Total price list $159.04. Your price may vary depending on where you want to purchase the softare. The Amiga editing software is optional for starters. > 5) Does the software which meets the above needs require more than > a 512K Amiga. If so that unfortunately adds more $$ to the purchase > of proper computer hardware and addons. You can run all of the above on a 512K Amiga, but you will find it easier to work with if you have 1 Mb. Your song capacity will significantly increase, especially if you will be using Amiga audio voices as well as the keyboard's patches. Don't forget to add in the price of a MIDI interface ($40-50). And finally, you may need an audio mixer, but you will have this no matter what computer you buy...Radio Shack sells some fairly inexpensive mixers. >Any help you can give me to the above would be most appreciated > >Russ Jacobson >Illinois Geological Survey >615 E. Peabody Drive >Champaign, IL 61820 >217-244-2425 If you need any further info, please do not hesitate to holler...I find the Amiga an excellent piece of hardware to support my MIDI applications. I currently have two keyboards - a Roland HP4500 (digital piano) and a Roland D-10 (8 voice multi-timbral synth with built in drum machine). .../Ed (ewilts%janus.mrc.adhocnet.ca@uncaedu.bitnet) (formally chairman of the Amiga music special interest group) Ed Wilts Sr. Systems Analyst, Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd. Calgary, Alberta, Canada (403) 234-1007