rwn@ihlpa.ATT.COM (Bob Neumann) (06/15/87)
I'm still undecided as to which PC I will purchase for my computer music system. After reading articles about both the MAC and the atari ST (as well as other systems) I've reduced my options to the MAC SE and the Atari ST. Of course, since I am buying the computer mainly for music purposes in my home studio, the main consideration should be the software that will run on the system. I would like to have the following capabilities in my system: 1) SMPTE and MIDI time code capability that works! -so that I don't have to rewind a tape and start over when doing tape sync. 2) A MIDI sequencer that is EASY to use and is reliable (seems like a simple enough request but I've talked with users who have encountered problems with various pieces of software, i.e. Southworth total music, etc.). 3) Ability to initiate sample dumps via MIDI. 4) Voice librarian (for DX-7 and Oberheim products) that will run without exiting the sequencer. 5) ability to move the sequenced tracks back and forth in time to adjust "feel". 6) Conversion of sequenced data to music notation (to be dumped to a printer) would be nice but is not a requirement. I've been reading about the SMPTE-track package by Hybrid Arts for the ATARI ST which seems to have requirements 1-5, and the ST is reasonably priced. I understand that their is a limited MIDI interface on the ST itself. OK, I could go with a MAC SE otherwise, but is software/hardware available for the MAC SE that will do what I want. I saw the new Southworth stuff (including the JAMBOX, etc) at the NAMM show in June 1986 -they said their stuff would be shipped in August - yet I undersatnd that the product is still not available to purchase. Anyone care to comment on the differences between the two computer systems and how their performance might influence my decision? Also any comments about any MAC software that I am not aware of that would meet my requirements, a force my decision towards the MAC SE? Hopefully, the buzz on the floor of the NAM show two weeks from now will influence my decision as well.. Thanks for your help. Bob Neumann