Conference hydra::amiga_v1

    Frank,
    
    I just finished installing the MIDI GOLD INSIDER. This device mounts on
    your rear panel occupying the space where the two beige vertical panels
    were. As far as I know this is the only option I've seen that uses this
    location. No slot is used but there is a caveat. If you have a hard
    card installed in your first expansion slot, the card mounted drive and
    the MG INSIDER will conflict. There are two solutions which are
    available: 1. You could dismount your hard drive from the controller
    and move it to the drive bay area, if there is room available. 2. You
    could simply move all your expansion cards one slot to the left,
    providing you have at least one empty slot. I opted for #2 as I still
    am left with enough slots for expansion, and I'm saving the large drive
    bay for a SCSI tape backup unit (someday!).
    
    The MG INSIDER is a beautiful unit. It connects via a ribbon cable to
    tha AMIGA motherboard and provides  MIDI in, out, 2 thru, and a
    replacement standard serial port. A external switch on the unit selects
    the replacement serial port or the MIDI out port for serial data flow.
    Your original AMIGA serial port is no longer used. The MG INSIDER is
    beige in color and when installed looks "factory".
    
    I have yet to test it with my YAMAHA CLAVINOVA (electronic piano), but
    I'm sure there will be no problems. Circuitry is simple with only two
    chips, documentation is excellent and includes a schematic. My Canadian
    price was $118, but I'm sure U.S. pricing is much cheaper.
    
    The alternative to the MG INSIDER is a MIDI interface which plugs
    in-line to your serial port and must be disconnected to use the port
    for other purposes. To the best of my knowledge there is no MIDI
    interface which plugs into an expansion slot, and I believe that most
    MIDI software is written assuming your interface is connected to the
    serial port.
    
    Overall, I'm impressed with this interface. Now I've got to go
    shopping for a 20 ft MIDI cable!
    
    Regards,
    
    Murray Steeves
    New Brunswick (only a 30 second drive from the MAINE-N.B. border)
    CANADA
    

The ECE MIDI interface offers a serial port extender and switch, so it is not
necesasry to swap connections at the amiga serial port.
I ahve a 20' midi cable.  You want it?
I built it.
Tom

>          <<< Note 4264.2 by VICE::JANZEN "Tom MLO21-4/E10 223-5140" >>>
>                              -< midi interfgace >-

> The ECE MIDI interface offers a serial port extender and switch, so it is not
> necesasry to swap connections at the amiga serial port.

	I have this interface, I leave it connected to the serial port 
with the modem daisy chained on the end.  Last night I downloaded 
Tom's transcription without the interface or the modem getting in each 
others' way(s).   *_NICE JOB TOM !!! _*    Would you like to tell us a 
little about how you did it ?,  i.e. how many takes, how much 
performance editing and how much score editing ?

	Frank - It isn't just the MIDI interface;  some 
moderately_large_number_of_hundreds_of_dollars   is then needed to
make that thar serial byte stream into nice noise.  I could put it on 
tape for you, via U220 piano patch and a  "fair"  technics deck, let 
me know what tape and bias you want, or send me one.

	Reg

    re .3
    
    Reg,
    
    What do you mean by "hundreds of dollars more to turn it into nice
    music"?  If you're talking about a synth,  I have a Korg DSS-1. 
    I've just never really had an interrest in MIDI (I look at it as another
    money sink I can live without).  Is there something else missing?
    
    Frank
    

re          <<< Note 4264.4 by HPSCAD::GATULIS "Frank Gatulis 297-6770" >>>

>    re .3
    
>    Reg,
    
>    What do you mean by "hundreds of dollars more to turn it into nice
>    music"?  If you're talking about a synth,  I have a Korg DSS-1. 

	Sorry Frank, somehow I'd missed that you already have a synth. 
 In no way was I trying to suggest that the DSS-1 doesn't make nice 
sounds, just get the midi interface and you're all set.

	Reg

I'm sorry, I really thought this was earth!!!

No kidding- someone with a synth, into music and computers, with no interest in
MIDI!!!

Music's one of the main reasons I got into Amiga to begin with, with MIDI as a
sine qua non. If you write, record, or simply like to practice with yourself
(notice I didn't say play with yourself) doing overlays, you really ought to
think about at least a low-level sequencer (>$100).

(Ain't it just like an addict to try to get others into MIDI?)

    
    re .-1
    
    Nope, not from another planet.  I can't really say WHY I haven't gotten
    MIDI fever.   I think there are a couple of factors:
    
    Priorities: I already have more hobbies and toys than I (or more
    correctly, my family) can handle. There's not nearly enough time
    to pursue my existing interrests let alone get sucked into the
    MIDI trap.
    
    After doing about 25 years of GB and RR (guitar) I got sick of it.  I
    still love music but my interrests have taken a surprising shift. I have
    no interrest in commercial music other than what I have to know to
    teach my son guitar.  I've come to the realization that what I really
    wanted to do is study classical piano so I'm 8 years into it, love it.
    I only care about playing for my own enjoyment.  The synth is just a
    toy I bought cause it seemed like a good deal at the time (what a 
    mistake. Obsolete in practically no time).  If I had the desire to
    compose or perform I'd be after MIDI in a minute but as near as I can
    tell I  haven't come across a MIDI box that will help me develop my 
    piano technique.  
    
    What can I say!  MIDI offers whole new (large, expensive, and time 
    consuming) area of musical expression that I don't have the energy
    to get involved in.
    
    .... Planet to earth ....  "over and out"
    
    Frank
     
    

    
    Well I have the Amei (2000) and a Yamaha DS-55 Synth.  I love this
    board.  Simple, full size, attack sensative, keys.  The only problem I
    have is the strange method of laying out the diffenent voices in the
    selection window.   My next step is to tie the board with the
    2000.  Havne't been able to find any great info about the different types
    of units (MIDI interface) out there.  Any input?  I'm not looking for a 
    Pro system, but also not a toy.  I want to get a unit that will be able to 
    work well with the 2000, and not get in the way of the software.
    Dr T's looks like the way I'm going to go with the software.
    
    Thanks
    
    George C.
    

I'm sure there is at least another note with this question, but
.2 does reccommend the ECE and I agree with the recommendation. If
you want a basic interface with a switched passthrough for the serial
port, this will do it. From what I read I gather choosing MIDI interfaces
on a PC is complex - not so on the Amiga. 

Basically, you choose how many MIDI cable ins outs and throughs you want.
If you want more than basic, then you can get Amas which includes a hardware
sampling interface, or if you want SMPTE, you can get Dr T's Phantom.

>Dr T's looks like the way I'm going to go with the software.

Check out Bars & Pipes by Blue Ribbon Soundware too.
Music-X should also be on your "check it out" list.

There are notes about them in here and in DNEAST::COMMUSIC.
Demo programs are also available on the "net"

For example,
Directory TAPE::AMIGA:[AMIGA.DEMOS]

BARS_PIPES.LZH;1  614   9-JAN-1990 00:32:01.00  (RWED,RWED,RE,RE)

Dave

    Here's another vote for ECE for a MIDI interface.  It's relatively
    inexpensive and is a breeze to hook up.  The only problem I've had is
    remembering to push the button switch before attempting to print
    anything (my printer hangs off the serial port as well.)  (You should
    *hear* what some text files sound like!)
    
    RE: MIDI software - there's a *lot* out there.  The choice depends on
    what functionality you want as well as the interface to control that
    functionality.  I have both Bars & Pipes (Pro) and Dr. T's KCS-III.
    B&P is definitely "prettier", but I almost always use KCS because IMO
    it has greater true functionality and control.  While this type of
    software is well worth it, it is *expensive* !!  Check around.  There's
    lots of software out there and you may want to start "small" and work
    your way "up" as you get more into it.

ECE with a Kawai mini keyboard are what I use

	Thanks,
		-SES