tmm3@quads.uchicago.edu (todd matthew morin) (05/22/91)
Hello all, I'm about to purchase a midi interface and midi keyboard for my mac IIci, and would like some input regarding which hardware is the best to buy. Realizing that what defines 'best' probably depends on my level of use (i.e., novice vs. professional, etc) and other factors, let me add my expected scope of use. Essentially, I have little music experience (though I did learn to play the piano, the violin, and the trombone in grade school, middle school, and high school). My primary goal in working with midi is to explore computer- generated music, to introduce my daughter to computer music (she loves music and is interested in the computer, but finds little of interest to do on the computer - not too interested in paint and drawing programs - we're talking a preschool child here as far as age goes), and to synchronize midi to the computer video I already generate (animation and live video). In all these endeavors I could be pretty much identified as an enthusiastic (and relatively serious) hobbyist. So, what cheaper interfaces (less than about $200) are available that support time-coding, velocity, Polyphonic Key Pressure, and Pitch Wheel Change, (oh, I'd also prefer SMPTE time-coding - but if it's out of my budget...), or, perhaps, they all support these?! I don't expect to have more than three midi devices connected at any time, something with a few midi in channels and a single midi out port is probably sufficient. Finally, any midi keyboards you could recommend that support velocity, polyphonic key pressure, and SMPTE around about $400? If not at this price, then about at what price? What could I expect to find at about $400? Thanks a lot. I'll summarize to the net any e-mail responses I receive. --Todd Morin morin@speech.uchicago.edu tmm3@quads.uchicago.edu