sas@lexicon.UUCP (Steve Schuster) (09/15/88)
I would like to use a C64 as a MIDI sequencer.
What is available in the way of MIDI hardware and software
for the C64.
Thanks in advance.
--
Steve Schuster
{ihnp4,harvard,linus,ima,bbn,m2c}!spdcc!lexicon!sasprindle@NADC.ARPA (Frank Prindle) (09/21/88)
MIDI Lovers, Having some recent experience on this subject, I'd like to reply to Steve Schuster and others who are interested in how the C64 can be used in MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) applications. The MIDI standard (1.0) requires that any device wishing to talk to any other MIDI device needs to be able to transmit serial data via a shielded twisted pair cable current loop at 31250 bits per second, and be able to receive a similar signal; thus, the first requirement for MIDI on the C64 is an approp- riate hardware interface. Interfaces for the C64 are available from Passport, Sequential Systems, Sonus, Yamaha, Dr. T, and Datel (as well as a number of lesser known manufacturers). To purchase any of these except the Datel (which is available by mail order), you must go to a Music Store (not a computer store!), or order mail-order out of one of the popular electronic music magazines (not computer magazines). All of the interfaces mentioned provide the basic send/receive capability and all plug into the cartridge port. In addition, several provide extra features such as on-board timer (not really necessary for basic operations and sequencers since the C64 has a perfectly good timer that is unused), external tape sync, drum-machine sync, time-code readers/generators, and external controls (e.g. foot pedal). The price for an interface ranges from about $40.00 for a very basic unit such as the Datel up to several hundred dollars for one with all the bells and whistles. A further complicating factor is that (although all the interfaces mentioned use the cartridge port and a 6850 UART) the interfaces are nearly all incompatible with each other, and software has to be specifically con- figured to work with particular interface(s). I use the Datel interface which has the least software (in this country) compatibility of the bunch, but I find it easy to modify software to make it work; a lesser hacker would be much better off with the most basic model of the Sequential Systems interface, since nearly all software is compatible and it is still relatively simple and inexpensive (~$80). Important note: some samples of the Datel interface have a wiring error on the printed circuit board. If you have a Datel interface that works poorly or in an erratic fashion, this could be your problem. Contact me for the nitty-gritty details about the fix. If you are going to order this interface by phone, specifically ask if this problem has been fixed. Turning to software: there was a fairly comprehensive review of C64 MIDI software products in a recent issue of Compute's Gazette (August, I think). Another wonderful source of software reviews is the Mix Bookshelf catalog, which also happens to list every book ever written about any MIDI or music related topic. You can order one free by calling 1-800-334-8152. Based on the reviews I read, I purchased the package "Glass Tracks" by Sonus. Again, you *must* go to a music store; if you walk into a computer store, no matter how big, they will look at you real funny if you mention any of the MIDI programs; they simply have never heard of them since the software manu- facturers deal directly with music stores only. Glass Tracks goes for about $70 and, while it is the baby brother to a more comprehensive sequencer sold by the same company, it is very professional, and very complete. The only two features obviously lacking (and present in the more expensive program) are the ability to set the number of beats per measure (for the measure counter) to anything other than 4, and the ability to specify a repeat count for a recorded sequence when assembling it into a song. The costlier program also includes many more sequence editing capabilities. The September issue of Electronic Musician details the zillions of features you may/may-not want in a sequencer, and Glass Tracks includes the vast majority of them in virtually the least expensive sequencer available. It is pre-configured to work with the Passport, Yamaha, Sonus, or Sequential interface. It *is* copy protected, which made it a royal pain for me to modify to support the Datel interface, but it can be done. Other classes of commercial programs available include Patch Librarians for specific synthesizers, scoring programs, and various utilities. In addition, a number of public domain and shareware C64 programs are available from the popular services and BBSs. Electronic Musician recently published a type- in program for the 64 called "KEYFRETS", which enables you to play guitar fingered chords on your MIDI keyboard! Electronic Musician has published, and continues to publish do-it-yourself MIDI hardware and software articles for the C64. And for the ambitious programmer-musician type, the field seems wide open; I just wrote a system-exclusive dump/load program for the Yamaha PSR6300 using C-Power and the C-Power assembler so I can dump it's internal sequencer onto something a lot less expensive than those infernal RAM-4 cartridges (I'm the programmer, my son is the musician!). Several years ago, the C64 was the computer of choice for computer-assisted- MIDI applications. Now, with the advent of the Macintosh, the Atari ST, and the Amiga (not to mention the omnipresent IBM-PC), the C64s limited memory capacity is pushing it into the background. But with the recent flood of MIDI capable instruments on the market, plus the multitude of C64s that exist somewhere out there in the world, the 64 may experience a mild rebirth in this field, with the amateur musician this time. The memory limitation is not that severe: Glass Tracks can record the entire song Flashdance on 6 tracks with three part chords on both hands, a bass line, a harmony line, a separate melody line, and an occasional program change or control change in the "puny" memory of the C64 at a timing resolution of 96 parts per quarter note, then play it back complete with MIDI drum sync! Long live the C64. Hope this information has been informative and begins to answer the general question concerning MIDI and the 64. Feel free to email me directly with specific additional questions or comments. Sincerely, Frank Prindle Prindle@NADC.arpa