Paul_Thompson@mindlink.bc.ca (Paul Thompson) (05/08/91)
I'd like as much advice and opinion on this--don't be afraid to be biased! I have been making MIDOI music (mostly new age variety, west coast flavor) for a couple of years. I've been using an Amiga which is an ok machine but I'm tire of waiting for really good sequencing software. I am considering getting another platform. I am torn betqeen the Mac and an Atari ST. If $$ were no object (unfortunately they are) I'd opt for the Mac. But Atari has superb software too. But is Atari}i on the decline? Should I bit the Mac bullet? I want to use something like Notator or Cubase. What would YOU recommend with an eye on the pocketbook and an eye to the future (I dont want to buy something that's going to obsolete some years hence. Many thanks, Paul Thompson.
cb@zitt (Cyberspace Buddha) (05/10/91)
Paul_Thompson@mindlink.bc.ca (Paul Thompson) writes: >What would YOU recommend with an >eye on the pocketbook and an eye to the future IBM clone. There are several superb sequencing packages for these machines, and they <the machines> will in all probability *never* go completely away. They are also better supported than any other machine on the market, in terms of third party soft/hardware.
JJL101@psuvm.psu.edu (J.J. Lehett) (05/11/91)
In article <2TBq22w163w@zitt>, cb@zitt (Cyberspace Buddha) says: > >Paul_Thompson@mindlink.bc.ca (Paul Thompson) writes: > >>What would YOU recommend with an >>eye on the pocketbook and an eye to the future > >IBM clone. There are several superb sequencing packages for these >machines, and they <the machines> will in all probability *never* go >completely away. They are also better supported than any other machine >on the market, in terms of third party soft/hardware. Well, I would have to disagree with you there. After all this is a topic of discussion. Anyways.... I had an IBM clone when I purchased my MIDI keyboard. Well 'with an eye on my pocketbook' I found I really was going to have to fork over the money to get a midi board and then software that would do what I wanted. Well, I ended up trading my clone for an Atari ST which as you probably know has on board midi ports. There is also a good PD sequencing program out there called Alchemy Jr. with most of the features of a comm. sequencer. All in all, I am very glad with my trade and would reccomend an atari over an ibm for midi applications. (No flames please, just a reccomend- ation). And yes, the MIDI support of the ST is not bad. It is out there, and is probably one of the best supported applications of the ST. Just pick your- self up a copy of keyboard mag, and send away to a few places to get in touch with the industry. J.J. ************************************************************************* * J.J. * Internet: JJL101@PSUVM.PSU.EDU * Penn State * * * * Center for * * John Lehett * Bitnet: JJL101@PSUVM * Academic Computing * ************************************************************************* * Atari ST's!, Computational Mathematics, Diplomacy, Synths + Midi * *************************************************************************
ted@dgbt.doc.ca (Ted Grusec) (05/13/91)
Another consideration about IBM clones versus other platforms is, what else are you going to use the computer for? If, in addition to music, you want to use the machine for other DOS programs, then you dont't have much choice. Not that other programs on the Atari or whatever may not be as good. In some instances they may be. But if you're going to be exchanging spreadsheets with other people, or word processing files, or whatever, then you are relating to a world quite apart from music even though music may be your major application. -- ========================================================================== Ted Grusec Communications Research Centre (Govt. of Canada, DOC) 3701 Carling Ave., Ottawa, Ont.K2H 8S2, CANADA Internet: ted@dgbt.doc.ca Compuserve: 73607,1576 (613) 998 2762 Fax (613) 993 8657
whitcomb@aurs01.UUCP (Jonathan Whitcomb) (05/14/91)
In article <1991May12.175032.17426@dgbt.doc.ca> ted@dgbt.doc.ca (Ted Grusec) writes: >Another consideration about IBM clones versus other platforms is, what >else are you going to use the computer for? Some may argue that this is a major reason to avoid the PC! :^) >If, in addition to music, you want to use the machine for other >DOS programs, then you don't have much choice. You actually have lots of choices, as there are several PC emulators for the ST. >Not that other programs on the Atari or whatever may >not be as good. In some instances they may be. Every platform has it's strengths. The ST's are music and desktop publishing (and games, of course). >But if you're going to >be exchanging spreadsheets with other people, or word processing >files, or whatever, then you are relating to a world quite apart from >music even though music may be your major application. The newer Atari ST's format disks that may be read by a PC, and some of the applications programs may be transferred between platforms (such as Word Perfect). And even disks formatted by some PC's may not be readable by others. Your point is well taken, however, that in the US, the PC is king, and you are more likely to be compatible with other folks if you stay with the PC platform, unless you are careful to choose programs on other platforms that use common file and disk formats. But to get back to music, the Atari ST has always had MIDI support, and all of the new machines continue with it. Even the portable ST's (both the STacy and the yet to be released ST Notebook) have MIDI ports built in. This means that as your computer needs grow and change, you don't need to start from scratch with new software and specialized MIDI hardware. Just upgrade to another ST model. I started out with a 1040ST in 1986, and am now using a Mega ST4, and I've never had to throw out my old software. Everybody has their own reasons for buying a computer...this is why so many different computers have survived. Dollar for dollar, there is no computer that can match the ST in terms of MIDI power, flexibility and options vs. price. For example, here's all the hardware you need to buy to get started with MIDI on the ST (I assume you already have a MIDI instrument): Atari 1040 STE ~$400.00 Includes 1 Meg RAM (upgradable to 4 megs using snap-in SIMM chips @ ~$60.00 a pop), 8 MHz Motorola 68000 processor, operating system in ROM, keyboard, mouse, built-in disk drive and MIDI ports. Atari SM124 High Resolution Monochrome Monitor ~$180.00 ======== Total: ~$580.00 These are typical US merchant prices (sorry non US folks!) for *new*, factory warrented equipment, and I've seen it advertised for less. I didn't add in the cost of MIDI software, because there's so much of it, and the cost doesn't vary much across platforms. But the only other thing you'll need are MIDI cables, and you are ready to go for well under $1000! I really don't think there's anything that can touch it at these prices. ********************************************************************** Jonathan Whitcomb UUCP: <whitcomb%aurgate@mcnc.org> Alcatel Network Systems, Raleigh, NC Delphi: JBWHIT
ekrimen@ecst.csuchico.edu (Ed Krimen) (05/15/91)
In article <59827@aurs01.UUCP> whitcomb@aurw04.UUCP (Jonathan Whitcomb) writes: > >The newer Atari ST's format disks that may be read by a PC, May I clarify that the 'old' STs can read and write PC disks as well, however, the difference is that the desktop formatter now writes a critical 3-number hex identifier which MS-DOS systems require, whereas the older desktop did not. There are quite a few PD formatting programs which will write the identifier. -- ||| Ed Krimen [ekrimen@ecst.csuchico.edu or al661@cleveland.freenet.edu] ||| Video Production Major, California State University, Chico / | \ SysOp, Fuji BBS: 916-894-1261 TWO WEEKS UNTIL GRADUATION!!
Paul_Thompson@mindlink.bc.ca (Paul Thompson) (05/16/91)
Thanks C/Buddha for your advice. I've been thinking of a good pc clone for midi work. What do you recommend in the way of software? I do pro-level work, have produced and sell cassettes and soon a CD. How does say Cakewalk Pro compare with Vision, Notator, Cubase etc? What other paks would you suggest to look at? Any particulat clone you'd recommend? All info gratefully received! Thanks.. Paul
Paul_Thompson@mindlink.bc.ca (Paul Thompson) (05/16/91)
Thanks John. I AM partial to the Atari--the price is right, there is good software there...and yet? I have the feeling that Atari Corp is a bit flaky and that the machine might one day disappear. Anyway, tell me about what you like doing MIDI-wise on the Atari and further convimncing reasons why I should buy it rather than a Mac or Clone. Thanks again, Paul
Paul_Thompson@mindlink.bc.ca (Paul Thompson) (05/16/91)
Thanks Jonathan for a most helpful reply. This is good stuff; you've almost convinced me to buy an Atari. I want something that will be REALLY GOOD and not be superceded in the next while. I want to work with top-line MIDI software (eg Cubase, Realtime etc) What do you use/recommend for sequencing software? Tell me more about Atari/PC emulation and file transfer. I have good MIDI gear: Korg M3R, Akai S900, JLC/MSB Rev2, D5 k/bd, mixer etc so its only (!) the computer platform that I want to select. Thanks again PaxDul
bdb@becker.UUCP (Bruce D. Becker) (05/17/91)
In article <2TBq22w163w@zitt> cb@zitt (Cyberspace Buddha) writes: |Paul_Thompson@mindlink.bc.ca (Paul Thompson) writes: | |>What would YOU recommend with an |>eye on the pocketbook and an eye to the future | |IBM clone. There are several superb sequencing packages for these |machines, and they <the machines> will in all probability *never* go |completely away. They are also better supported than any other machine |on the market, in terms of third party soft/hardware. Au contraire - the Amiga is by far the best as far as pocketbook and eye to the future is concerned. It has definitely the most useful real-time multitasking O/S, plus decent onboard sound chip support for previewing your work, etc. Because of the extensive multimedia support available for these machines, the amount of hardware/software available is already extremely impressive, so in future when you want to combine sound and image in creative forms, the Amiga will be in the forefront of that area. Also, as a rough measure, most Amiga software/hardware prices are roughly 50-60% of mac equivalents, for example. etc... -- ,u, Bruce Becker Toronto, Ontario a /i/ Internet: bdb@becker.UUCP, bruce@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu `\o\-e UUCP: ...!utai!mnetor!becker!bdb _< /_ "It's the death of the net as we know it (and I feel fine)" - R.A.M.