| Title: | AMIGA NOTES |
| Notice: | Join us in the *NEW* conference - HYDRA::AMIGA_V2 |
| Moderator: | HYDRA::MOORE |
| Created: | Sat Apr 26 1986 |
| Last Modified: | Wed Feb 05 1992 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 5378 |
| Total number of notes: | 38326 |
I picked up Dr. T's The Copyist last night, as I promised in topic
2099, response 2. I haven't had much time to use it yet, but already
I'm disappointed.
First the good parts: it lets you construct a score any way you want,
sort of like a mechanical design tool. It has an adequate array of
symbols, and will also draw variable-size objects, like creshendos and
slurs. It uses a 640 by 400 screen, but is able to operate at 640 by
200 if you prefer (I don't).
Unfortunately, the product was released unfinished. The piece that
converts the score to a sequencer file, so you can play it, was omitted
from the package. I also couldn't locate the high-resolution output
module.
The description of the sequencer output says that it omits lots of
music information that I had been hoping they would include, like
pedal, tempo changes, volume changes, etc. If they don't improve this
I'll ask them for the documentation of the file formats, in the hope
that I can construct my own program that does better. My experience,
however, is that companies *hate* to reveal their file formats. I'll
probably have to insert that information by hand in the sequencer file.
The advertising for this product described three levels, I, II and III.
I wanted level III, because it includes the best output module:
PostScript using Adobe's Sonata font. Only one package arrived in the
store, called Professional. It's price didn't correspond to the price
of any of the three levels. After opening the package you discover
that it is level II: no PostScript.
The only saving grace is a package insert apologizing for one of the
missing modules and an obscure bug, and promising to fix both in
exchange for sending in your warranty card. Rather than hassle Steve
at System Eyes, I have sent in the warranty card and will bug Dr. T
directly if the replacement doesn't meet my expectations.
John Sauter
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2126.1 | Related questions | POLAR::GOSLING | Think KANATA INC. | Mon Feb 27 1989 12:44 | 11 |
John, do you have Dr. T's KCS and if so, would you care to give
us/me a brief commentary.
Also, have you received any satisfaction from Dr. T regarding the
Copyist's shortcomings and bugs you mentioned in the base note.
Thanks
Art
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| 2126.2 | SAUTER::SAUTER | John Sauter | Mon Feb 27 1989 13:58 | 26 | |
Sorry, I should have followed up on this earlier.
I received the updated COPYIST from DR.T, but the high-quality output
module was still missing. Their telephone support hours are only 9-4,
Monday through Friday, and they insist you be sitting at your computer
when you call. That isn't compatible with having a full-time non-music
job, so I wrote them a letter instead. They responded by replacing
my AUX disk, solving the problem: I now can produce nice-looking output
on my 300 dpi printer.
In their response to me they also said that they expected DTP (formerly
Level III) to be available March 15. I'm not going to hold my breath.
I have successfully captured the traditional 16 bars of Chopsticks from
my DX7 with KCS, sent it to Copyist, printed it, sent it back to KCS,
edited it, sent it back to Copyist, and printed it again. Basicly,
the package works. I'm only beginning to learn how to use them---it
takes longer to learn than a more integrated package like Deluxe Music
Construction Set.
The advantages over DMCS are these: more flexibility in the sequencer,
and higher quality sheet music output. For me, that's worth the
additional learning that's required. I still wish I could convey more
information from Copyist to KCS, though. The documentation of the file
format is only $5---I'll probably send for it.
John Sauter
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| 2126.3 | My impressions | GOBAMA::WILSONTL | Tony, the HOSS TRUMPET | Wed Jul 25 1990 15:36 | 26 |
After nearly two years of using (and griping about) DMCS, I finally
bought Copyist II. Frankly, I find the package quite nice and plan to
upgrade to the DTP version (formerly Copyist III).
I have been trying to write a big band arrangement with DMCS and it is
very cumbersome to use for output. Now, I can enter the parts with
DMCS and dump SMUS files into Copyist for finishing. This technique is
much easier than straight writing of the parts with Copyist.
It does take some time to do printouts (20+ minutes on a 9-pin parallel
printer), but the difference in print quality between this and DMCS is
amazing. (Also, the difference between displays is amazing).
It would help if they had a simple line drawing mechanism in the editor
to help with placing objects in boxes for highlighting, but that's
about all I'd ask of it.
The high-quality print program is separate and can run multitasked with
the editor (provided enough memory - I have two megs). Of this
program, I'd like to see it be able to take several file names so I can
run away and leave it to print out the entire book! If anyone knows
how to do this, I'd like to hear from you. So far, it only puts up a
window and takes one file at a time.
I got a demo of Tiger Cub on Amiga + magazine and it does read files
produced by Copyist.
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