| CONFERENCE DESCRIPTION
Welcome to COMMUSIC, a conference dedicated to discussion of the
various applications of computers in and to music. Topics range from
direct tone generation from a computer to MIDI (the current focus
is skewed heavily toward the latter).
Various aspects of amateur and professional music and recording
equipment are reviewed and discussed. Digressions are common and
usually welcomed; flames at individuals are NOT welcomed. Since we
tend to be a pretty agreeable bunch, it is best to interpret what
appears to be a personal affront as humor in some form.
WRITING NEW TOPICS
Before WRITEing a new topic, do a DIR/TITLE or SHOW KEYWORDS to see if
the topic you're about to write already exists. If one (or more)
already exist, find the most appropriate old topic and use it.
When WRITEing a new topic, use a descriptive title to make the
information easier to retrieve. Here are some examples:
Looking for First MIDI Synth
Roland R8 Digital Drum Machine Discussion
Problems with Noise in Tape Mixdown
In general, when selecting a TITLE for the new topic:
DON'T use hyphens in product names. This makes DIR/TITLE an
easy way to retrieve information.
DO include mfgr name with the product (eg Roland D50 LA Synth),
again for lookup via DIR/TITLE.
DON'T use titles like "Help Me Please" or "why won't this work".
This type of title is meaningless.
DON'T use 8 bit characters (such as � or �) for the sake of
those who still have stone age terminals.
Since a good deal of posting in this conference is product specific,
please try to remember to follow these guidelines.
WRITING REPLIES
Please remember to use mixed case (make use of the CAPS UNLOCK key)
when writing. Otherwise, general noting etiquette is encouraged.
RESERVED TOPICS
The first 20 notes in the conference are reserved (currently only 1-16
are in use). Here are the contents of those topics:
1* Welcome to COMMUSIC
2* Conference Directory Listings
3 Who's Who
4 Related Conferences
5 Equipment Manufacturer Information
6 Music Dealer Addresses & Contacts
7 Publications (Magazines) - Names and Addresses
8 Conference Bulletin Board
9** DECMS Price Quotes
10 COMMUSIC Tapes - Ordering & Submitting
11 COMMUSIC Tapes - Liner Notes
12 Items For Sale
13 Items/Musicians/Miscellaneous Wanted (Want Ads)
14 Conference Issues & Gripes
16 Latest Hot Price Quote
* - write-locked topics
** - usually maintained by Dave (DREGS::) Blickstein
Misplaced notes are likely to be moved by the moderator.
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
From time to time you may run across strange acronyms and wonder just
what this nonsense is all about. The following is a brief
non-exhaustive list of these items.
DECMS - Digital Employees Computer Music Society, an informal group
not formally linked to DEC (except by employment). This group has
leveraged some purchase discounts at dealerships in the New England
area. For more information, contact SUBSYS::ORIN or do a DIR/TITLE=DECMS.
COMMUSIC Tapes - from time to time, conference members submit samples
of their work to a designated individual. Each 90 minute
conglomeration is known as a "COMMUSIC Tape". For more information,
see topics 10 and 11.
LERDS-BIM (formally known as LEDS-BIM) - a (very) informal gathering of
conference participants at a location of choice (in the New England
area) for the purpose of face to face interaction. Traditionally
occurs after work Wednesday at Tom Foolery's. For more information, do
a DIR/TITLE=BIM.
Again, welcome to COMMUSIC. We hope you enjoy the conference.
the moderators
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| KEYWORDS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
----------------------------
All major manufacturers have their own keywords. For example: ALESIS,
CASIO, EMU, ENSONIQ, KAWAI, KORG, ROLAND, YAMAHA, etc.
Major products within each manufacturer's product offerings also have
keywords. For example: D50, D550, TX81Z, ESQ1, M1, DX7II.
Generic keywords are available for non-synth equipment. For example:
AMPLIFIER, COMPUTER, CONTROLLER, DRUM_MACHINE, MIXER, SEQUENCER, etc.
Computer topics may be referenced by keywords SOFTWARE or COMPUTER.
Most major computers have their own keywords, assigned as follows:
AMIGA Commodore Amiga (no COMMODORE keyword)
APPLE Apple II, IIGS, IIe, & 8 bit models
ATARI Atari ST
C1 Yamaha C1 (also available under YAMAHA keyword)
C64 Commodore C64
CX5M Yamaha CX5M (also available under YAMAHA keyword)
IBM IBM PC and clones
MACINTOSH MAC computers - APPLE will not find these
NEXT Steve Job's NEXT machine
PDP DEC PDP computers
VAX VAX computers
VAXMATE VAXMATE computers
Keywords associatd with tape recorders include 4TRACK, 6TRACK, 8TRACK,
and TAPE_DECK. Many model/mfgr names are also keyed (TASCAM, FOSTEX,
etc). Other related keywords include VIDEO, DAT, CD, RECORDING, and
ALBUMS.
Keywords of special interested include:
ACCESSORIES
for miscellaneous things, like memory cards and
cartridges, gig bags, etc.
ANALOG notes on analog synths
BUSINESS Notes that discuss business aspects of making music.
COMMUSIC COMMUSIC related notes, such as the COMMUSIC tapes
and goodbye topics. Key DAVE_ORIN points to topics
dedicated to him.
CONTROLLER Topics dealing with MIDI keyboard, drum, or wind controllers,
including off-the-wall controllers.
COPYRIGHT Topics on copyright laws
DISCUSSION Pot pourri of various topics - everything from
unclassifiable interesting discussions to flames
and banter.
DIY Topics for DIYers (Do It Yourself)
DBX
DOLBY Topics that discuss noise reduction techniques.
DRUMS Drum related topics, not necessarily drum machines.
EFFECTS Topics associated with reverb, compressors, limiters,
delays, EQ, and even noise reduction. Use a manufacturer
name to reference specific topics.
GETTING_STARTED
Topics for newcomers. These include basic concepts, overview
topics, and "what do I buy", "where do I go", and other
"recommendation" type topics. NEW OR OCCASIONAL NOTERS, TAKE
NOTE!
GIGGING Topics related to gigging.
GLOSSARY Topics that define terms. NEW NOTERS TAKE NOTE!
GUITAR Topics of interested to guitar players.
HEADPHONES Topics on headphones.
INSTRUCTION
Topics that discuss how to do something, that relate
conceptual information (such as how a sequencer works), or
that point to other sources of knowledge (schools, etc).
MAINTENANCE
Tips on maintaining or upgrading equipment.
MIDI_TO_RS232
Topics on MIDI converters for PCs.
MIDI_PROCESSOR
Includes patch bays, switchers, converters, etc.
MIDILIB Topic on our online public domain MIDI library.
MIXER Topics on or about mixers
MIXDOWN Topics discussing mixdown techniques and gotchas.
NETWORKING Topics on setting up MIDI and mixer configurations.
ORGAN
PEDALBOARD Topics related to organs and organ-related equipment, such as
foot controlled pedals.
PATCHES Topics on or about patches for synths, including PD or third
party sequences. See also SEQUENCING and MIDILIB.
PIANO Topics related to pianos in any shape or form.
POWER Topics discussing AC/DC power, wall bugs, problems, and noise.
PROGRAMMING
Topics associated with programming patches, sequencers, or
computers.
RACK Topics on equipment racks.
RACKMOUNT All topics discussing rack-mountable equipment.
RECORDING Topics related to recording.
SAMPLER All topics discussing samplers.
SCORING Topics on scoring tools and software.
SEQUENCER All topics about sequencers.
SEQUENCING Tips /tutorials /discussions on how to sequence.
SOFTWARE All topics relating to patch librarians, editors,
computer-based sequencers or scoring software.
SPEAKERS Topics on speakers, including PAs and monitors.
STANDS Topics on equipment stands
STUDIO Topics on recording studios (private or public).
SYSEX SYSEX-related topics, including MIDI programming and patch
dumping topics.
TAPE Topics on recording tape - where to buy, what to use.
TAPE_DECK Generic topic for all tape recording gear, including DAT.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Topics discussing equipment problems of various types.
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