EMUSIC-L Digest Volume 63, Issue 04 This issue's topics: *.MID files (9 messages) .mid files - will someone summarize? .SND files ANOTHER SOUND CARD REFERENCE DOS Background MIDI playback Help: TopTek PCsoundcard. MIDI cable connector pinouts Midi controller questions MIDI driver problem? (3 messages) midi files Midi files/software archives on the Internet Midi FTP Sound Blaster 16 ASP and New Synthetizers (7 messages) Sound Cards... (9 messages) Soundcards ... (3 messages) SoundCArds... volume problems (was: Re: midi files) Your EMUSIC-L Digest moderator is Joe McMahon . You may subscribe to EMUSIC-L by sending mail to listserv@american.edu with the line "SUB EMUSIC-L your name" as the text. The EMUSIC-L archive is a service of SunSite (sunsite.unc.edu) at the University of North Carolina. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Apr 1994 14:47:06 CDT From: Wood Subject: *.MID files OK..when you get *.mid files off the net somewhere, and download them to your computer, how can you hear them? I have a Sound Blaster Pro, and I have speakers hooked up to it. I can hear all my *.WAV and *.VOC and other sound files, but not those...any ideas? Do I need to hook up my keyboard to my computer to hear them? WOOD c615676@mizzou1 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Apr 1994 19:38:21 -0400 From: Joe McMahon Subject: Re: *.MID files >OK..when you get *.mid files off the net somewhere, and download them >to your computer, how can you hear them? I have a Sound Blaster Pro, >and I have speakers hooked up to it. I can hear all my *.WAV and *.VOC >and other sound files, but not those...any ideas? Do I need to hook >up my keyboard to my computer to hear them? > You will need some kind of a MIDI device (e.g., your keyboard) to hear them. .MID files are the logical equivalent of player piano rolls. You must send them to a MIDI device to get them to make any noise, since they are simply a recording of sequences of events (key down channel 1, key down channel 2, key up channel 1, etc.). Your SB Pro may have a MIDI driver of some sort (please, will a knowledgeable person make a definitive statement so we can turn it into a FAQ?); at the very least, I think it has a MIDI output (again, KP, please tell us!) that should be able to go to your keyboard, assuming it has MIDI in. You will probably have some problems with (for instance) drum mappings, and you wil have to do some setup to make sure that the proper voices are assigned the proper channels. That's part of the fun of .MID files - trying to figure out what you're actually supposed to be hearing... --- Joe M. ----------------------------------------- "It's delightfully stupid." - N. Rothwell ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Apr 1994 18:46:51 EST From: Today must be your lucky day! Subject: Re: *.MID files The file suffix *.MID means MIDI. So the file should be a MIDI song file. Therefore, you must hook your keyboard up to your computer to here the MIDI file. The file contains no "sound" information so a Soundblaster is of no use. Eric Kuehnl Kenyon College ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Apr 1994 22:59:19 -0300 From: "ANDREW G. YOUNGER" Subject: Re: *.mid files It seems to me that the easiest way to simply play .MID files would be to FTP a program for writing music from some FTP site. Most composition programs ( well at least that I have used) play back and compose to .MID files based on the MIDI Mapping for the IBM or some similar thing on the MAC (I really don't know what however since my music knowledge regarding MACs is slim indeed). You are right though, the Sound Blaster series does not, unfortunately come with a utility to play MIDI files. If you only want to play these files there are any number of FTPable utilities out there. For composing as well there are many options, and you will find, that most of the programs discussed here play these files as well (ie Finale, Cakewalk) but these are $$$$ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** ANDREW G. YOUNGER *** INTERNET: AYOUNGER@ac.dal.ca SHADNET: Younger.91O, SVP397 ADDRESS: Box 115, Howe Hall, Dalhousie Univ, Halifax, NS, B3H 4J5, CANADA PHONE: (902) 492-4225 "The Politically Correct, are the Nazis of our time, when it's the freedom of ideas that makes man civilized." - Bob Geldof, 1992 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See ya ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Apr 1994 23:02:25 -0300 From: "ANDREW G. YOUNGER" Subject: Re: *.MID files > > The file suffix *.MID means MIDI. So the file should be a MIDI song file. > Therefore, you must hook your keyboard up to your computer to here the MIDI > file. The file contains no "sound" information so a Soundblaster is of no use. > > Eric Kuehnl > Kenyon College you don't *need* a keyboard to play MIDI fiels on a computer. I do it just fine without one. You just need the program to play them. Also on the IBM PC you most likely need the Windows MIDImapper, though I am sure there is a way to so it in DOS as well. ANDREW AYOUNGER@ac.dal.ca ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Apr 1994 22:15:05 EST From: Brian McLane Subject: Re: *.MID files download some sequencer programs from wuarchive.wustl.edu or oak.oakland.edu or cica.indiana.edu (by download, I mean ftp). Then play the *.mid files using the sequencers. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Apr 1994 23:15:20 EST From: Tim Laswell Subject: Re: *.MID files >>OK..when you get *.mid files off the net somewhere, and download them >>to your computer, how can you hear them? I have a Sound Blaster Pro, Play them with either the DOS playmidi utility (I forget the exact program name) or play it with the jukebox in windows that came with the SBPro. >You will need some kind of a MIDI device (e.g., your keyboard) to hear them. The SB-Pro has built in MIDI synthesizer chip(s). That is what the OPL-3 chip is, a Yamaha synthesizer. >You will probably have some problems with (for instance) drum mappings, and >you wil have to do some setup to make sure that the proper voices are >assigned the proper channels. That's part of the fun of .MID files - trying >to figure out what you're actually supposed to be hearing... Yep, most General Midi files will be recognizable except when they exceed the capabilities of the synthesizer (22 ?sounds?operators? total). I have been able to play most .MID files with very little tweaking on the patches. If you want it to go to your keyboard ask someone else. I haven't hooked the Yamaha keyboard to the Midi port yet. I am having a hard time prying it out of my sisters hands. After all, she is the real musician in the family. p.s. Shouldn't this be in the SYNTH-L{gearhead} group? sorry Mr. moderator. Timothy Laswell - Senior Programmer Memtec America Corporation timl@memtec.com Voice (410) 252-0800 ext 6042 Fax (410) 628-0017 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Apr 1994 09:13:50 GMT+0100 From: Johan Pater Subject: Re: *.MID files > The file suffix *.MID means MIDI. So the file should be a MIDI song file. > Therefore, you must hook your keyboard up to your computer to here the MIDI > file. The file contains no "sound" information so a Soundblaster is of no us > e. Hmmm, I thought that the soundblaster used his FM sounds. With this the midi files could be played, the sound wouldn't be so great but it is possible. Correct me if i'm wrong but with the soundblaster card there is a disk shipped with. On this disk there are some midi files and you can get some programs to play these midi files. Johan Pater ------------------------------------------------------------------- | Cetis | | Centre for Educational Technology, Innovation and Stafftraining | | at the 'Hogeschool Utrecht' University for Vocational Education | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | INTERNET : JPATER@CETIS.HUT.NL | PO-BOX 573 | | FAX : (+31) (0)30-368180 | 3500 AN UTRECHT | | PHONE : (+31) (0)30-308117 | THE NETHERLANDS (EUROPE)| ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Apr 1994 13:49:22 CST From: jrt72269@ACUVAX.ACU.EDU Subject: Re: *.MID files a sequencing program already in it. The *.mid sequences can be directly loaded and played with just the sound card. You can also simply hook up a midi keyboard and us the same program. I'v noticed that there are many different soundblaster packages, but the one I've got had this program in it. Hope this helps Jesse JRT72269@ACUVAX.ACU.EDU ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Apr 1994 09:52:30 -0400 From: Joe McMahon Subject: .mid files - will someone summarize? Sounds like we have a number of folks with experience in playing .MID files in a variety of environments. Now for this poor benighted Mac user (i.e., me), can we step-by-step lay out what needs to be done for the Windows user with the SBPro, the DOS user with SBPro, and for the no-interface, starting-from-scratch user? I ask this because though a number of people have responded positively to the question, there's enough left implied in the answers that I'm not sure I have it all. Remember, YOUR NAME goes up as a contributor to the "basic MIDI on the PC" FAQ that we eventually get out of this... :-) --- Joe M. ----------------------------------------- "It's delightfully stupid." - N. Rothwell ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 30 Mar 1994 06:09:57 -0700 From: Robert Mackenzie Wallace <29220@EF.GC.MARICOPA.EDU> Subject: Re: .SND files .SND is a Mac Waveform File .SND is a PC Waveform format too. And there are several flavvors of .SND on the PC platform. Rob Wallace - Executive Producer CIS: 71042,1410 Wallace Music & Sound, Inc. Voice: 602-979-6201 Box 393, 13635 N. 59th Ave. Music & Sound Effects for Software Glendale, AZ., 85304-1141 Developers & Publishers, Multimedia, TV & Film ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Apr 1994 09:35:34 EST From: Donald Mcfaddin Subject: ANOTHER SOUND CARD REFERENCE THERE IS ALSO A SOUND CARD REVIEW IN THE 12 APRIL 94 ISSUE OF PC MAGAZINE. HERE AR THE TOP THREE: GENERAL-PURPOSE AUDIO: Creative labs Sound Blaster 16 Basic Edition PROFESSIONAL AUDIO: Turtle Beach Multisound BUSINESS AUDIO: Microsoft Windows Sound System 2.0 I just thought you would like to know. Don Mc ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Apr 1994 09:16:54 PST From: "Jeremy D. Gray" Subject: DOS Background MIDI playback Does anyone know where I might find some C routines for playback of MIDI files from within DOS applications in the background. I'm open to anything that anyone knows about. Thanx in advance, Jeremy Gray e3140067@bcit.bc.ca (Looking for C routines for background MIDI file playback!!) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 Apr 1994 16:24:32 +0000 From: Robert Bafini Subject: Help: TopTek PCsoundcard. Last week I bought a "Golden Sound 16 Pro" - a PC soundcard (Soundblaster compatible) manufactured in Taiwan by Toptek Micro Computer INC. The board come with some softwares from Voyetra Technologies (S.P.Jr. and Multimedia Sound Software) and a multimedia tool called TopShow (for Windows), but when I try to execute TopShow I get these messages from Windows: "File not found: MHTR200.VBX", "Unexpected error - Quiting TopShow". The dealer, here in Brazil, has no solution until this moment. As Toptek maintain a BBS in USA (CA) and I have no modem, I would like to know if someone in USA can help me to obtain the file MHTR200.VBX (I suppose that it may there be in their BBS). Or if you bought the same board and have the TopShow program running please send me a reply. Toptek Technology (U.S. Office) - BBS: 818-9622851 Thank you very much for your time! Robert. e-mail: rrrobert@venus.cpqd.ansp.br ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Apr 1994 15:32:10 PDT From: Ned Kartchner Subject: MIDI cable connector pinouts Is there someone out there in E-Music land that has the pin assignments for a PC 15 pin game port output connector to the two MIDI connectors? 15 PIN GAME MIDI IN ______________ __________ |___________________________| | | |___________________________| | | | MIDI OUT | ____________ |___________________________| | | |___________________________| | | |___________________________| | | The new Aria sound board which I have did not come with a MIDI connector. I have the parts to build one, but have had difficulty in finding the pin outs. Thanks, Ned Kartchner ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 7 Apr 1994 23:13:30 -0500 From: Troy Louis Hammond Subject: Midi controller questions Dear Emusic-L recipients: I own 2 relatively old keyboards: Korg Ploy 800 and a Roland JX-10. I intend to buy in the near future something more modern like maybe the Korg X3. Well, most likely I will tend to use only the sounds of the X3 or whatever new kyb I get. However, I play progressive rock music (Yes, Asia, ELP, UK.....), so I am always using several sounds in one song. I am limited to the 3 kybs. The Poly-800 will not split; the JX-10 will split once; and I assume the X3 will split several (??) times. My question is: Is it possible to midi the Poly-800 and JX-10 to the X3 and say for example, have sound 1 on the Poly-800, sound 2 & 3 on the JX-10 and then split the X3 several ways so as to have 4+ sounds available for one song WITHOUT CHANGING SOUNDS during the song? I believe it is more common to use 1 master kyb and control other boards/modules. What I am doing is using 2+ kybs and controlling just 1 board/module. I have read a little bit about midi mergers from.....let's say.....J.L.Cooper but I do not fully understand them. I would appreciate any suggestions or help. Thanks, Troy Hammond ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Apr 1994 20:06:41 -0400 From: Myron Bennett Subject: MIDI driver problem? In finding this LIST, could it be that I have found a place where someone could answer my question? Oh, let it be so. Perhaps someone here can help me in my frustration. The hardware support people tell me it is the software, the software support people... well, you know about that too so I'll just get on with it. But please know that I am not extremely knowledgeable about MIDI, nor programming, just with pushing keys and buttons. Problem: getting MIDI from keyboard or other inputs into Finale & Band-in-a-Box. Equipment: 486DX 33, Windows, Soundblaster Pro 2, Baldwin EX-32 keyboard, Akai EWI. No problem getting Band-in... or Finale to feed TO Soundblaster & TO my amplifier & Speakers, or to feed TO the keyboard. That direction works fine. But I cannot get FROM the input devices into the programs. I am coming to suspect that it might be a driver problem. In Windows Drivers setup, there are CREATIVE SOUNDBLASTER PRO 2 MIDI SYN " " " " AUX AUDIO " " " " WAVE AND MIDI MIDI MAPPER, and setting up, the SB drivers show as being at port 220, int 7, DMA 1. Now; one support person (I forgot which company) told me I should have the Creative Labs Soundblaster 1.5 MIDI driver installed, but when I try to install it, when I get into the setup window, and it is set to 220 & 7, I get a Windows error message, "The interrupt setting does not match those on the card. Check your hardware settings and then try again." This does not make sense; 220 & 7 works fine on the othe SB drivers, and if I set the IRQ to any other number, I get the same error message. Question No. 1. Did I explain my problem sufficiently? Question No. 2. What's wrong? and if the answer is, "I don't know," Question No. 3. Who should I ask? Thank you If you agree with me that the answer is more specific than appropriate for this board, please email me at usr3962a@tso.uc.edu. Thanks, Myron ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Apr 1994 16:22:37 -0400 From: Joe McMahon Subject: Re: MIDI driver problem? Myron Bennett writes about problems with simultaneous MIDI input/output on his SB. Is your SB an older model? The original SB interface was infamous for its one-way interface -- you could either play back or record, but not both. --- Joe M. ----------------------------------------- "It's delightfully stupid." - N. Rothwell ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Apr 1994 21:09:34 -0400 From: Myron Bennett Subject: Re: MIDI driver problem? No, it is SB Pro 2. Myron ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Apr 1994 13:26:08 CDT From: Wood Subject: midi files Hi--Im the one who brought up the *.MID files. OK...here is what I have. I have an IBM PC/AT, A Soundblaster Pro, and a bunch of *.MID files on my hard drive that came from the internet. Now, when I got my SBPRO, it did come with a disk, which included playmidi and Jukebox for Windows. I can play files like Ballade.Mid and Jazz.mid and Canyon.mid, which came with the Pro and Windows fine, just by going into my Jukebox and selecting the one I want to hear. Great. Now, I see *.mid files on the net, and I get them to my PC, but when I try to play them in that same way, I turn up my speakers all the way, and all I hear is a little sqeak. I can barely make out the tunes or sounds on some of the Mid files, while others I can not even hear at all. Anyone suggest any Mid players off the net that I can ftp and try out? WOOD c615676@Mizzou1 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 1 May 1994 01:11:32 +0200 From: Piet van Oostrum Subject: Midi files/software archives on the Internet There is a list of ftp and mail server archives with MIDI documentation, programs and music on the Internet. Also enclosed is a list of MIDI and electronic music related mailing lists. The latest version of this file can be obtained by ftp from ftp.cs.ruu.nl [131.211.80.17] in pub/MIDI/DOC/archives or by mail from mail-server@cs.ruu.nl (send a message with HELP in the body). From the mail-server the filename without pub/ should be used. The latest monthly version is also available in the various news.answers archives around the world, in music/midi/archives. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 31 Mar 1994 00:35:00 -0500 From: Jeff Podeszwa Subject: Midi FTP Just got the mailing address from a mailing list here in London, Ontario, and wondering if there are any good FTP midi sites out there. Jeff.podeszwa@onlinesys.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Apr 1994 08:00:00 EST From: Pedro Hernando Rozo Mora Subject: Sound Blaster 16 ASP and New Synthetizers Hello friends I buy a Sound Blaster 16 ASP for my PC, is fantastic; I need to know how can modify the Microsoft Midi Map, for to have new sounds. Can I to convert files .WAV in instruments ??? Where find I a edit for .MOD (with scores) ??? Where find I the .MOD format specification ?? I work with CakeWalk Apprentice, I need more sounds; more reals (Atmosfer, new age, water, sea, etc); I 'm thinking in buy a synthetizer good and new; I has seen the Roland JV30 and JV80 , is good ??? Sugerence ??? I are't interesated in buy sequencers (Korg X3,01wf/d,etc) I need a synthetizer for work with my PC and SB 16 ASP. Thanks. Pedro Rozo MAIL: PROZO@ITECCOL.BITNET ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 9 Apr 1994 06:15:48 -0700 From: Robert Mackenzie Wallace <29220@EF.GC.MARICOPA.EDU> Subject: Re: Sound Blaster 16 ASP and New Synthetizers > synthesizer? > If you are on a budget... get a "fully midiable" keyboard from someone advertising a keyboard in the want ads. A touch sensitive keyboard would be preferred. If you can spend $150.00 upwards, start with the Casio keyboards and go nuts from there. Be sure the keyboard is equipped with "MIDI In, MIDI Out, and MIDI Thru". > .wav to instruments? > Not with the ASP 16 and Windows or the software that comes with the ASP 16. But creating samples with a software utility and storing them in ram to be played by a .mid file is possible with the new AWE32 by Creative Labs. Which is an ASP 16 with some cool modifications. i wonder if that's the board you bought. The only other board I know of that's capable of storing samples you create in its own ram is the Turtle Beach Monterey card which I've heard kicks it out pretty good. > midi mapper > Aj.. the scourge of MS, designed by guys who never listened to computer musicians and still can't connect the dots -- but it's too late now Pedro because Windows is a "Standard" environment. Oh well -- such is life. You will have to struggle with the Midimapper like those who dare go where no one has gone before. You can change patch assignments from the General Midi standard to th e old MT-32 patch set. You can define your own patch assignments. (But why you ask -- don't ask me) You can swap playback channels from 13-16, (basic mode) to Channels 1-10, ("extended", sic, mode) And don't forget -- in Windows you only have 6 note polyphony in basic mode, so don't go trying to play anything more complex than music with a single note bass line, 4 harmony notes, and a melody note that sound at once! But still in all, life is good. Rob Wallace - Executive Producer CIS: 71042,1410 Wallace Music & Sound, Inc. Voice: 602-979-6201 Box 393, 13635 N. 59th Ave Music & Sound Effects for the GAME Glendale, AZ., 85304-1141 Development and Multimedia Community ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 9 Apr 1994 15:02:18 -0300 From: "ANDREW G. YOUNGER" Subject: Re: Sound Blaster 16 ASP and New Synthetizers > > > midi mapper > > > Aj.. the scourge of MS, designed by guys who never listened to computer > musicians and still can't connect the dots -- but it's too late now Pedro > because Windows is a "Standard" environment. Oh well -- such is life. > You will have to struggle with the Midimapper like those who dare go where > no one has gone before. You can change patch assignments from the General > Midi standard to th e old MT-32 patch set. You can define your own patch > assignments. (But why you ask -- don't ask me) You can swap playback > channels from 13-16, (basic mode) to Channels 1-10, ("extended", sic, mode) > And don't forget -- in Windows you only have 6 note polyphony in basic > mode, so don't go trying to play anything more complex than music with a > single note bass line, 4 harmony notes, and a melody note that sound at once! > > But still in all, life is good. > > > Rob Wallace - Executive Producer CIS: 71042,1410 > Wallace Music & Sound, Inc. Voice: 602-979-6201 > Box 393, 13635 N. 59th Ave Music & Sound Effects for the GAME > Glendale, AZ., 85304-1141 Development and Multimedia Community OK, I have been wondering about this for some time and thought that the polyphony was a limitation of eiher my sound card, a SOund Blaster 16, or else the program I am using. Am I wrong??? What about programs advertising 24 voice polyphony and so on? And the big question:: Is there ANY way to get a polyphony greater than 6 voices within Windows or Dos? Andrew Younger AYOUNGER@ac.dal.ca ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 9 Apr 1994 14:02:01 -0500 From: Dean Keith Subject: Reply to Re: Sound Blaster 16 ASP and New Synthetizers >OK, I have been wondering about this for some time and thought that the >polyphony was a limitation of eiher my sound card, a SOund Blaster 16, or >else the program I am using. Am I wrong??? What about programs advertising >24 voice polyphony and so on? And the big question:: Is there ANY way to >get a polyphony greater than 6 voices within Windows or Dos? > >Andrew Younger >AYOUNGER@ac.dal.ca That is a loaded question, there are many kinds of polyphony to deal with. As far as I know the MIDI drivers for Windows can handel VERY large polyphony. I don't know what MIDI's limit is, but I think Windows would be the same. As far as the Soundblster goes, the FM synthesizer is defenatly limited, and the digital audio limitations are SOFTWARE controlled. If any of you are familiar with the .MOD format of songs for Amiga and now PC (and I think there are .MOD players for MAC) they are much like .MID files only the control over the data (the sequencing) is MUCH more limited, but the advantage is that the digital audio samples are imbedded in the file, so there is no need for mapping patches. The reason I said all this, is newer .MOD and similar formats are allowning up to 16 digital audio tracks, and are playable on any sound device. I think that the software mixes it down to left and right channels, but technically, it's still 16 note polyphonic. For you professionals, don't get me wrong, the quality of sound in this format is a long way from being "CD quality" but with faster computers and improving software, I predict that professional quality will be soon to hit the "small time" PC owners in the NEAR future, and this may get the attintion of some professionals. In the mean time, download some .MOD .S3M .669 files, and a good player (such as Duel Mod Player) that handels all of the current formats, and have a listen, the're kinda .... well... Cool :) Sorry for getting so off the subject, I read the quote that I'm responding to and see that I'm not anywhere close to addressing the question any more. Oh well, I hope some find it interesting, and I can post a list of FTP sites if any of you want more info on this. ______________________________________________________________________________ Dean Keith dkeith@tarleton.edu Tarleton State University Stephenville, Texas, USA ______________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 10 Apr 1994 21:46:14 -0400 From: "Joseph D. McMahon" Subject: Re: Sound Blaster 16 ASP and New Synthetizers > You can define your own patch > assignments. (But why you ask -- don't ask me) Creatures such as the Ensoniq VFXsd have their own idiosyncratic drum mappings. This is one way to make them act as if they mapped in the General MIDI or MT-32 way. --- Joe M. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 15 Apr 1994 05:57:10 -0700 From: Robert Mackenzie Wallace <29220@EF.GC.MARICOPA.EDU> Subject: Re: Sound Blaster 16 ASP and New Synthetizers The six note polyphony restriction ONLY applies to the basic mode for the Microsoft MIDI file authoring standard. In extended mode the polyphony jumps to 9 MELODIC notes. There are percussion sounds, (if you could call them percussion), available in both modes as well. I rarely use them because they sound so lame. In DOS I have achieved as high as 32 note polyphony with a wonderful set of tools available through MidPak derived from the John Miles AIL, (audio interface library), and offered in the public domain by John Ratcliff. MidPak contains drivers for ALL commercially popular PC soundcards and for the OPL3 based FM cards, allows up to 32 note polyphony. Game Developers have been using these tools for about 5 years. The AIL library, a $7500.00 license fee worth of POWERFUL midi utilities contains these drivers too plus it allows for many interactive midi file tricks like being able to change the mood of a composition by channel swapping on the fly from a call dependent upon what is happening in the game. So your sub gets sunk --- I can go immediately from my danger music to your are toast my friend music in real time. Along the same lines of Cheeseball FM sounds, (see April 94 Electronic Musician Article pps. 90-94), and PC soundcards .... my client Apogee, (Wolfenstein, Monster Bash Duke Nukem etc. etc. etc.) told me yesterday that within weeks they will NO LONGER support soundcards with FM synthesizer chips on board. (notably the OPL3 and OPL2). >From this point further its wavetable synthesis ONLY. For one, I am really excited and delighted they have taken this position. As far as I know, they are the first major publisher to do it! Rob Wallace - Executive Producer CIS: 71042,1410 Wallace Music & Sound, Inc. Voice: 602-979-6201 Box 393, 13635 N. 59th Ave Music & Sound Effects for the GAME Glendale, AZ., 85304-1141 Development and Multimedia Community ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 15 Apr 1994 06:01:06 -0700 From: Robert Mackenzie Wallace <29220@EF.GC.MARICOPA.EDU> Subject: Re: Sound Blaster 16 ASP and New Synthetizers > Ensoniq VFX's drum patchs > Right you are Joe. I live so much in the General Midi Standard, I forget sometimes about people who actually to use extended mode in Windows and port out to various midi devices like the VFX. For this, the midi mapper and those guys at MS done good. Rob Wallace - Executive Producer CIS: 71042,1410 Wallace Music & Sound, Inc. Voice: 602-979-6201 Box 393, 13635 N. 59th Ave Music & Sound Effects for the GAME Glendale, AZ., 85304-1141 Development and Multimedia Community ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 21 Apr 1994 08:56:53 U From: Scott Drexel Subject: Sound Cards... Mail*Link(r) SMTP Sound Cards... I appreciate all the info on the Mac vs. IBM debate, but I now have another question. (sigh) I am trying to find out which sound cards ya'll think are the best (IBM). I have a Pro Audio Spectrum 16, It's alright, but it's just not cutting the mustard. Any good recomendations ? I'm really curious about the Roland RAP-10 and the new Turtle Beach card that will allow you to use .WAV files as MIDI instruments. Thanks for any info. Scott Drexel Scott_Drexel@SMTPGW.MUSC.EDU Medical University of S.C. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Apr 1994 06:12:36 -0700 From: Robert Mackenzie Wallace <29220@EF.GC.MARICOPA.EDU> Subject: Re: Sound Cards... Here is my Soundcard PICKS OF THE MONTH All of the following get a "Best of the swiftly moving technology AAA Rating" Roland RAPlrlkjgf ltu p]49eu i0eq94 ^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+ Rob Wallace - Executive Producer CIS: 71042,1410 Wallace Music & Sound, Inc. Voice: 602-979-6201 Box 393, 13635 N. 59th Ave Music & Sound Effects for the GAME Glendale, AZ., 85304-1141 Development and Multimedia Community ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Apr 1994 10:23:48 -0400 From: "DCumming by way of xrjdm@twinpeaks.gsfc.nasa.gov Joe McMahon" Subject: Re: Sound Cards... You need a copy of the Computer Shopper December issue. It had a a detailed write up of about 20 sound cards. All the facts and features. I know the Turtle beach card is the most expensive but it may not be the best. It really depends what you want out of your sound card. darryl ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Apr 1994 11:57:57 -0500 From: Dean Keith Subject: Reply to Sound Cards... >I appreciate all the info on the Mac vs. IBM debate, but I now have another >question. (sigh) I am trying to find out which sound cards ya'll think are >the best (IBM). I have a Pro Audio Spectrum 16, It's alright, but it's just >not cutting the mustard. Any good recomendations ? I'm really curious about >the Roland RAP-10 and the new Turtle Beach card that will allow you to use >.WAV files as MIDI instruments. Thanks for any info. > >Scott Drexel >Scott_Drexel@SMTPGW.MUSC.EDU >Medical University of S.C. I too own a PAS 16, and it's good. I am consiering the Gravis Ultrasound MAX. It has a unique wavetable system that loads into RAM so you can add samples (patches) via software, and have virtually unlimited possibilities. It also will sample up to 16bit 48kHz. It is a much improved version of the original Gravis Ulatrasound that required several expansions to be equal. It is around $250 I think, and GUS is gaining support from lots of companies. The best thing that puts it above the Turtle Beach, and the RAP-10 is that it is fully compatible with: Soundblaster, Soundblaster Pro, Roland Mt-32, and General MIDI. This means that for a resonable price you get an all-purpose sound card, that has VERY good sound, and you can still play your games on it. It has quite a following here on the Internet, and loads of add-on stuff is available throgh anonymous FTP. There is even a FAQ and a LIST that details every piece of software, and what mode the GUS best performs in , and what software immulator to use etc. I got most of the above info from the IMBSND-L mailing list, it's for all IBM compatable sound cards. Creative Labs has a new one coming out that is supposed to be competition for the GUS MAX so who knows? ______________________________________________________________________________ Dean Keith dkeith@tarleton.edu Tarleton State University Stephenville, Texas, USA ______________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 23 Apr 1994 00:37:35 -0500 From: Jeff Wheeler Subject: Re: Reply to Sound Cards... Hi Dean, How does one subscribe to IBMSND-L? (ie: which listserver runs it) I may be purchasing a soundcard in the near future and could use all the help I can find sorting through all the media hype. Thanks in advance Jeff JEFFREY K. WHEELER jwheeler@bigcat.missouri.edu snailmail: 3600 E. Hidden Lane voice: 314-657-2538 Hartsburg, Missouri 65039-9774 U.S.A. ____________________________________________________________________________ "A new idea is first condemned as ridiculous and then dismissed as trivial, until finally, it becomes what everybody knows." - William James ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Apr 1994 20:33:35 +0100 From: Nick Rothwell Subject: Re: Reply to Sound Cards... >I am consiering the Gravis Ultrasound MAX. >It has a unique wavetable system that loads into RAM so you can add samples >(patches) via software, and have virtually unlimited possibilities. Do you mean "wavetable" or do you mean sample RAM based? If the former, what kind of wavetables? If the latter, what's unique about it? Nick Rothwell CASSIEL Contemporary Music/Dance nick@cassiel.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 26 Apr 1994 11:33:26 -0500 From: Dean Keith Subject: Reply to Re: Reply to Sound Cards... >>I am consiering the Gravis Ultrasound MAX. >>It has a unique wavetable system that loads into RAM so you can add samples >>(patches) via software, and have virtually unlimited possibilities. > >Do you mean "wavetable" or do you mean sample RAM based? If the former, >what kind of wavetables? If the latter, what's unique about it? > > > Nick Rothwell CASSIEL Contemporary Music/Dance nick@cassiel.com Well to be quite honest, I'm not quite sure? I am still gathering facts about this card, and since I am not the owner of one, I don't know the correct terminology. I do (think) I recall it being referred to as a wavetable. And I do know for sure that more than sample data is stored, i.e. patch data like envelopes, and such. The way that I understand it is: the card itself has 1 meg of RAM, and it comes standard wit 5-6 meg of sounds. The software calls which sounds it needs, and they are loaded. The advantage is, is that you can replace the sounds (with some utilities) with .WAV sounds, to improve, or change the existing sounds. If the term "wavetable" can by definition only refer to ROM memory, then I guess I used the incorrect term, but as I stated before, it operates (to the user) just like a wavetable card, but to the "pro", it has MUCH more flexibility. If you are truely interested in a correct, and more informed answer take your question to IMBSND-L, the GUS lovers there will give you more than your fill of info. The full address is: IBMSND-L@BROWNVM. ______________________________________________________________________________ Dean Keith dkeith@tarleton.edu Tarleton State University Stephenville, Texas, USA ______________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 26 Apr 1994 19:59:41 -0500 From: John Perser Subject: Re: Sound Cards... There is a new card coming out from Creative Labs (Sound Blaster fame) that has an incredible Audio DSP on it. ----------------------------------------------------------------- John Perser Manager/Audio Products Paradigm Simulation, Inc. email: jperser@paradigmsim.com PHONE: 214-960-2301 FAX: 214-960-2303 AudioWorks: Hear what you are missing ----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Apr 1994 12:35:13 +0100 From: Nick Rothwell Subject: Re: Reply to Re: Reply to Sound Cards... >Well to be quite honest, I'm not quite sure? I am still gathering facts about >this card, and since I am not the owner of one, I don't know the correct >terminology. I caught the Ultrasound ad. in a recent issue of WIRED. The way they slag off FM synthesis (because it's "artificial") irritated me. Yes, they use the term "wavetable" - wrongly IMHO. Wolfgang Palm invented the wavetable in 1980, and it sounds like nothing else in the Universe. Nick Rothwell CASSIEL Contemporary Music/Dance nick@cassiel.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Apr 1994 14:52:18 U From: Scott Drexel Subject: Re: Soundcards ... RE>>Soundcards ... >For the PAS-16 you have already, this is fine for bits 1, 2 (16 bit 44KHz >stereo) and 4 (SCSI for the PAS or Panasonic for the new Pro Sonic) but you >are stuck with the OPL3 FM chip which goes plinkety plink rather than >creating musical sounds. If you want a card/box that makes really nice >musical sounds, go for the Roland SCC1 or a CM-300 or SC55 or maybe a >Yamaha TG100 or CBX-T3. The Rolands are very well supported in software. >I keep hearing about cards which will let you use WAV samples for new >sounds. Has anybody actually tried this successfully? At any rate, if you >buy a Roland a professional has done it for you for 300 instruments. The >RAP-10 has sample and playback (which you already have) and fewer voices >than the SCC1. Don't know about the Turtle Beach or GUS. You must get >wave table synthesis at any rate to do better than the standard FM chip. > >Steven Bramson >sdb@jet.uk Thanks for the help dude...I think that I'll check 'em out. Scott Drexel Scott_Drexel@SMTPGW.MUSC.EDU ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Apr 1994 17:57:50 +0100 From: "Steven D. Bramson" Subject: Re: Soundcards ... Scott Drexel writes ... Mail*Link(r) SMTP Sound Cards... I appreciate all the info on the Mac vs. IBM debate, but I now have another question. (sigh) I am trying to find out which sound cards ya'll think are the best (IBM). I have a Pro Audio Spectrum 16, It's alright, but it's just not cutting the mustard. Any good recomendations ? I'm really curious about the Roland RAP-10 and the new Turtle Beach card that will allow you to use .WAV files as MIDI instruments. Thanks for any info. ---- Any sound card typically has up to 4 bits to it 1) MPU-401 emulation 2) Sound Sample and playback 3) Music production 4) CD-ROM interface For the PAS-16 you have already, this is fine for bits 1, 2 (16 bit 44KHz stereo) and 4 (SCSI for the PAS or Panasonic for the new Pro Sonic) but you are stuck with the OPL3 FM chip which goes plinkety plink rather than creating musical sounds. If you want a card/box that makes really nice musical sounds, go for the Roland SCC1 or a CM-300 or SC55 or maybe a Yamaha TG100 or CBX-T3. The Rolands are very well supported in software. I keep hearing about cards which will let you use WAV samples for new sounds. Has anybody actually tried this successfully? At any rate, if you buy a Roland a professional has done it for you for 300 instruments. The RAP-10 has sample and playback (which you already have) and fewer voices than the SCC1. Don't know about the Turtle Beach or GUS. You must get wave table synthesis at any rate to do better than the standard FM chip. Steven Bramson sdb@jet.uk ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Apr 1994 12:06:44 -0700 From: Clayton Charles Peddy Subject: Re: Soundcards ... Hello All! I have a Sound Blaster Pro 16 ASP, but also a Yamaha TG100 connected to it's MIDI port...Once you get better MIDI the SB is not so bad... If you want more information then E_MAIL me directly! Thanks! Clayton +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Clayton C. Peddy | I would follow my heart if I could only | | Chico State University | figure out where it was going. | | claypedy@ecst.csuchico.edu | --M.S. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | A friend is someone you refuse to | *** *** | | say goodbye to, no matter how far | * * \|/ Electronic | | they may flee. --S.M. | ***** * --*-- Cosmos | | The computer "nut" trying to break| * * /|\ Productions | | out of his shell. | ******* ******* | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | The future is here! Stay tuned! | +-----------------------------------+ The primary purpose of the DATA statement is to give names to constants; instead of referring to pi as 3.141592653589793 at every appearance, the variable PI can be given that value with a DATA statement and used instead of the longer form of the constant. This also simplifies modifying the program, should the value of pi change. -- FORTRAN manual for Xerox Computers The New Testament offers the basis for modern computer coding theory, in the form of an affirmation of the binary number system. But let your communication be Yea, yea; nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. -- Matthew 5:37 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 21 Apr 1994 11:38:07 -0500 From: DEMOLITION MAN Subject: SoundCArds... I am runnning the turtle beach multisound now, and it is really a nice piece of equiptment. It has the proteus 1/xr onboard, but with a lot more bells and whistles, plus the 20 mips motorola chip onboard and nice d-a/a-d converters...ver quiet. I haven't heard much of the new one...it needs standard pc memory chips to be able to sample .wav and use as instruments. It has a differnt synth onboard (Wavefront ics or somesuch), so I don't know if it is the greatest choice. I'd personally go for the better synth, because it has a whole lot more instruments than I could ever sample. Has anyone heard about the new turtle beach card? There was a guy who worked for turtle beach on the net, but I lost his address. So, Mr. Turtle beach, if you are out there, could you tell us anything about the synth on the new card? Tnaks, Phil SPS5251@SIENA.BITNET ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Apr 1994 16:21:21 -0400 From: "DCumming by way of xrjdm@twinpeaks.gsfc.nasa.gov Joe McMahon" Subject: volume problems (was: Re: midi files) Try this, go to the mixer and make sure the mid control is up. Leave it on the screen while you are playing midi files. this will allow you to see if the midi control is comparable to the other signal sources. CD , WAV, ETC. Try that and let me know darryl ------------------------------ End of the EMUSIC-L Digest ******************************