zazula@uazhe0.physics.arizona.edu (RALPH ZAZULA) (03/22/91)
In article <91080.153453KAM129@psuvm.psu.edu>, KAM129@psuvm.psu.edu writes... >I recently got my NeXT and I want to use it with my MIDI synthesizer. >I am not able to obtain a MIDI cable. According to NeXT Tech support >OPCODE has the cable, but I understand that it costs $350. > >Does anyone know a place where I can get a MIDI cable for a reasonable price. > >Thanks in advance, > > > >Kowtha Murthy That's and expensive cable! They are probably referring to Opcode's Studio3. It is a "Rack-mount MIDI and SMPTE Interface" (I have the lit. right here). It is a nice device but far from the minimum requirement for doing MIDI. What I am using is the Midi Translator (also by Opcode). It takes an 8-pin cable from the serial port B (it needs the power from the NeXT) and has 1-IN 3-OUT. It can be had for about $50 and comes with the 8-pin serial cable (although, check the box before you leave the store! Mine didn't have the cable and it was still in the shrink wrap). All of this is on an '030 Cube. I don't know if the serial ports have changed on the '040. Oh, yeah - I don't work for Opcode, etc, etc... Ralph |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | Ralph Zazula "Computer Addict!" | | University of Arizona --- Department of Physics | | UAZHEP::ZAZULA (DecNet/HEPNet) | | zazula@uazhe0.physics.arizona.edu (Internet) | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | "You can twist perceptions, reality won't budge." - Neil Peart | |----------------------------------------------------------------------|
KAM129@psuvm.psu.edu (03/22/91)
I recently got my NeXT and I want to use it with my MIDI synthesizer. I am not able to obtain a MIDI cable. According to NeXT Tech support OPCODE has the cable, but I understand that it costs $350. Does anyone know a place where I can get a MIDI cable for a reasonable price. Thanks in advance, Kowtha Murthy
brownd@agnes.acc.stolaf.edu (David H. Brown) (03/25/91)
In article <1991Mar21.152926.475@arizona.edu> zazula@uazhe0.physics.arizona.edu writes: > >[...a MIDI cable suggestion] >All of this is on an '030 Cube. I don't know if the serial ports have changed >on the '040. Oh, yeah - I don't work for Opcode, etc, etc... > >Ralph > > |----------------------------------------------------------------------| > | Ralph Zazula "Computer Addict!" | > | University of Arizona --- Department of Physics | > | UAZHEP::ZAZULA (DecNet/HEPNet) | > | zazula@uazhe0.physics.arizona.edu (Internet) | > |----------------------------------------------------------------------| > | "You can twist perceptions, reality won't budge." - Neil Peart | > |----------------------------------------------------------------------| I believe that the +5v on the B port has in fact been removed in the '040 revision of the NeXT motherboard. It was sometimes useful, but after all, the +5v isn't a standard part of the RS422 specs. The docs I have read on the '040 board show two identical ports which conform to the "standard" set on the Macintosh. Standard Macintosh MIDI interfaces should still work, but devices which required that +5v will need to find power elsewhere. St. Olaf may or may not have nothing | M M | M M M | M M | M M M | M M | to do with the things I talk about. | M M | M M M | M M | M M M | M M | | M M | M M M | M M | M M M | M M | Dave Brown: brownd@agnes.acc.stolaf.edu | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | "I _like_ programming the DX-7!" |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
zazula@uazhe0.physics.arizona.edu (RALPH ZAZULA) (03/26/91)
In article <1991Mar25.154356.14562@news.stolaf.edu>, brownd@agnes.acc.stolaf.edu (David H. Brown) writes... >In article <1991Mar21.152926.475@arizona.edu> zazula@uazhe0.physics.arizona.edu writes: >> >>[...a MIDI cable suggestion] >>All of this is on an '030 Cube. I don't know if the serial ports have changed >>on the '040. Oh, yeah - I don't work for Opcode, etc, etc... >> >>Ralph >> > > I believe that the +5v on the B port has in fact been removed in the >'040 revision of the NeXT motherboard. It was sometimes useful, but after >all, the +5v isn't a standard part of the RS422 specs. The docs I have read >on the '040 board show two identical ports which conform to the "standard" >set on the Macintosh. > > Standard Macintosh MIDI interfaces should still work, but devices >which required that +5v will need to find power elsewhere. > >St. Olaf may or may not have nothing | M M | M M M | M M | M M M | M M | >to do with the things I talk about. | M M | M M M | M M | M M M | M M | > | M M | M M M | M M | M M M | M M | >Dave Brown: brownd@agnes.acc.stolaf.edu | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | >"I _like_ programming the DX-7!" |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| In that case, Opcode also makes a wall-outlet-powered version of the Midi Translator. I don't recall it's name or exact price but it should be in the same ballpark... Ralph |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | Ralph Zazula "Computer Addict!" | | University of Arizona --- Department of Physics | | UAZHEP::ZAZULA (DecNet/HEPNet) | | zazula@uazhe0.physics.arizona.edu (Internet) | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | "You can twist perceptions, reality won't budge." - Neil Peart | |----------------------------------------------------------------------|
howie@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (Howie Kaye) (03/28/91)
No, the 040's serial ports are not standard RS422:
From the "zs" man page:
To support the flow control on 68040 systems, the signals
available on the serial port mini-din connector are dif-
ferent on 68040 systems and 68030 systems. The 68030 sig-
nals are RS-422 balanced levels. The 68040 systems provide
unbalanced RS-423 (RS-232C compatible) levels.
So, you need to fake out some signals on midi side to make things
work. I thought i had built a working cable, but some people pointed
out problems with it.
------------------------------------------------------------
Howie Kaye howie@columbia.edu
Columbia University hlkcu@cuvma.bitnet
UNIX Systems Group ...!rutgers!columbia!howiejansen@archone.tamu.edu (Mark Jansen) (03/29/91)
for the old next cube we use a simple macintosh interface such as the midi translator form opcode netlore has it that for the new 040 upgrade boards you can use a midi interface form altech systems it has 8pin rs-422 connector. -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark Jansen jansen@archone.tamu.edu Visualization Laboratory,Department of Architecture ph:409-845-0199 Texas A&M University,College Station, TX, 77843