[comp.music] Need basic midi interface answers

kinsman@ektools.UUCP (Andrew A. Kinsman) (05/29/90)

I'm new to computer music.  Actually I haven't bought any
equipment yet, but do have a PC/XT about the house.  With
a 5 year old girl and a 6 month boy on the way to curiousity
about music there are many questions.

Midi....  If i've got a program to drive one instrument
or keyboard, can the same setup be used, but just plugged
into another instrument, or does the sequencer or
program and interface need to change?

Surely several music editing packages exist for different
computers.  They all can't save files in the same music
format.  Is one more popular than another, or does a
standard actually exist?  If so  what is the format?

Any particular programs on the computer end favored? For
the PC or others?  Do BBS's exist for exchange of music
which has already be input to quickly build up my base
of files for driving a keyboard?

Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks.


Andrew Kinsman         rutgers!rochester!kodak!ektools!kinsman
Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N.Y. "Little Yellow Box Factory"