[rec.music.makers] Mac ][ Music Programs

gleicher@duke.cs.duke.edu (Michael Gleicher) (12/12/87)

Can anyone tell me what music creation/playback systems work on a Mac ][?
Which are best?

MIDI capability would be nice, but I don't have a synth yet, so it would
have to be able to make its own sounds also.

I would prefer something cheap. Two that I've seen advertized or reviewed
are "Studio Session" and "Concertware+MIDI" ($60 and $80 respectively).
	Anyone used either of these?
	Do they work with a Mac ][?
	Can you print out the music you write?
	Are the file formats standard (I'm interesting in doing some
		automatic composition stuff)?
	Are the sounds using the built in hardware decent? 

Thanks for any help,

	Mike

Michael Lee Gleicher			(-: If it looks like I'm wandering
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czei@cbdkc1.UUCP (12/14/87)

In article <10813@duke.cs.duke.edu> gleicher@duke.cs.duke.edu (Michael Gleicher) writes:
>Can anyone tell me what music creation/playback systems work on a Mac ][?
>Which are best?
>
>I would prefer something cheap.

Well, sorry, but most of the things with MIDI that work on the II are
quite expensive.  I've called Opcode and Mark of the Unicorn personally
about MacII compatability of their existing software and got the
following information:

Opcode: They're offering upgrades for both their sequencer and patch
        librarians that will work on the II.  The sequencer upgrades
        seem to have no new features, just II compatability.  They do
        however, promise a new version will be out soon.  There is no
        planned new version of the patch editor/librarians.  (They're
        perfect already)  The person also said that for a copy of the
        MIDI files format just drop them a SASE.  

M.O.T.U.:  They expect (although don't hold you're breath) to start
           shipping a MacII compatable version of Professional
           Performer Jan 1st.  I also asked them about supporting
           MIDI files, and they said it was being considered.


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