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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

562.0. "Wireless MIDI Connection Product? (NADY)" by BARNUM::RHODES () Thu Nov 06 1986 10:07

Well, I was watching the Boston Bruins Hockey game last night which was being
played in Buffalo vs. the Sabres (this is the sports note file, isn't it? ;^))
and noticed somthing of interest to Commusicians.  

At one point in the game, the camera cut to the "organ" player for a few
seconds.  Now I know what you're thinking - you saw the quotes around the 
word organ, and realize that what I'm trying to say is that he wasn't playing
an organ at all.  Well, you're right.  As a matter of fact, he wasn't even
sitting at a keyboard - he was wandering around the stadium, among the crowd,
with a remote MIDI controller dangling from his neck!  It seems the days
of shy organ players in hockey arenas is over.  They want to be out there
with the crowd.  But wait, there's more...

He was cordless!  That's right; his controller was rigged into a box that
he had strapped to his belt that was some sort of digital communications
device transmitting MIDI information over the airwaves to a digital reciever
which drove some sort of MIDI sound box (sounded alot like my little DX's 
organ patch).  Is this MIDI transmitter/reciever commercially available?

What's next to go MIDI?  The "Band" at the local Football game?  Radio 
City Music Hall?

Todd.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
562.1wireless MIDI or wireless audio?SSDEVO::MCCOLLUMThu Nov 06 1986 10:156
    Are you sure it was a MIDI remote, not just a small keyboard with
    a guitar-type wireless transmitter? The reason I'm skeptical is
    that I haven't heard of a wireless MIDI that is reliable enough.
    
    Peter
562.2na na na na, na naaaa, CHARGE!!!HENRY8::MARSHALLThu Nov 06 1986 10:4211
    I saw it too and boy was I psyched! I couldn't tell what type of
    keyboard he had, but it did appear to be a mid-size(somewhere between
    a CZ-101 and a DX-7) and it had plenty of buttons. I'm sure he just
    had a NADY-style wireless transmitter.
    
    What a great idea. First Buffalo Chicken Wings and now the Aud's
    hockey organist mobile in the stands. I guess Buffalo is good for
    a couple of things after all.
    
    rick
562.3midi yawn.GNERIC::ROSSuntitledThu Nov 06 1986 11:3316
    was it the same overweight greying organist that haa
    always played at the Garden (John Kiley I think) or
    was this an 'away' game. 
    
    What a boring gig. I wonder how much it pays. Enough
    to cover the cost of drugs necessary to turn it into
    a fun gig? (what ever those might be)
    
    Is there a drugs notesfile?
    
    Probably on WASTED::
    
    {snicker}

    rr
562.4Hope the batteries last 3 periods...BARNUM::RHODESThu Nov 06 1986 16:289
It was an away game.  If it was a home game, I'm sure the Boston fans
would have thrown beer at him.  Lord knows what would happen to the guy
if he played at an Islanders/Rangers matchup.  We all know what those NYC
fans are like.  There would have been MIDI bytes all over the stadium ;^)

Todd.

As an aside, the Bruins lost 8 to 3 and coach Goring was fired.  Maybe
Goring will take up keys :)
562.5...OR....JON::ROSSBOZONICSThu Nov 06 1986 19:368
    
    Or start working at Digital as a software engineer?
    
    You shouldnt be watching the games, todd, but practicing
    for the jam.
    
    so there.
562.6STAR::MALIKKarl MalikThu Nov 06 1986 20:214
    
    	Say, this could start a whole new tradition for funerals.
    
    							- km
562.7*I'm* playing at my wake!GNERIC::ROSSuntitledFri Nov 07 1986 08:4910
    
    Why not compose and sequence your own funeral music NOW !
    
    Then when the fated day comes, thanks to midi and some
    storage medium, your relatives can have you playing.
    
    Something to remember you by.
    
    Ron
562.8What the puck?BARNUM::RHODESFri Nov 07 1986 09:058
You mean your equipment is not gonna be buried with you?!?!?!?!

Geez, we can see your priorities are out to lunch, Ron.

Let's not get too far off the subject of the original note.  Please
do not reply further unless you plan to talk about hockey...

;^)
562.9I learned about this when I was ...DYO780::SCHAFERSir Loin of BeefFri Nov 07 1986 17:4215
Re: topic at hand

    The remote box that you saw is made by an Italian company (4 letter
    word (sorry) like NADA, PADA, PAMA ... it was in KEYBOARD in May, June,
    or July). 

    Yes, it IS a remote MIDI transmitter, and costs between $4-5K (that's
    right - K).  There are also LOTS of potential gotchas associated with
    the device, from lost notes (is that where the lost chord went?) to
    note-on-forevers.  Cute idea, though. 

    I'm waiting for the day we can transmit 120vAC over FM.  Talk about
    electricity in the air...  Good grief, I think I'll go home.

8-}