Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    
    Semi-interested in the ST myself...
    
    Maybe we could have responses here.
    
    there is another note tho, (right?)
    
    ron
    

    re:-1
    
    I think replies here are OK as long as they don't get too long (like
    say over 50 lines) in which case mail is a better route to go.
    
    Other notes relative to Atari and MIDI are 283, 333 and 471 but
    none directly address any of the questions in -0.
    
    Hey Svein, are you out there?  You seem to have an ST, what's the
    scoop?

    1.  Both the 520 and the 1040 ST have fully functional MIDI in and
    out ports (no thru).  To my knowledge, the ST is the only PC that has
    them already built in.

    2.  The 520 comes with 512K RAM, an external 360K single-sided floppy
    drive with an external power supply (you can get ~400K with some
    special fully compatible formatting programs), and a built-in interface
    to your TV set, so you can pick up the cheaper monochrome system and
    use your TV as the color monitor, though its resolution is likely to be
    worse than the Atari color monitor.

    The 1040 has a full 1 meg of RAM and a built-in double-sided 720K
    floppy drive and power supply (~800K with special formatter), but no
    interface to TV.

    The 520 and 1040 are software-compatible.  The color monitor has two
    resolution modes, low and medium.  In low-res mode, 16 colors (out of a
    total of 512) are available at a time, and screen resolution is
    320x200.  Medium-res mode allows 4 colors, with a resolution of
    640x200.  The monochrome monitor only allows high-res mode, at 640x400.
    I have both Atari monitors, and I find that the monochrome is far
    superior for anything where text is involved, such as program
    development or word processing.  I use the color monitor only for
    games requiring it.

    3.  I have a 1040 and Dr.  T's Keyboard Controlled Sequencer software
    ($195) which has sufficient functionality and storage space (upwards
    of 128K MIDI events with the 1040) that I have yet to come upon a
    feature I needed that wasn't there in sequencing my own material.
    I've used it to fully control 2 keyboards and a drum machine; all
    MIDI data was stored in the KCS -- even to the extent of uploading
    and sequencing the drum machine patterns.  All told, this used about 2%
    of the available event storage space.  The only "cons" that come to
    mind are the lack of a MIDI thru port, which I haven't needed anyway,
    and the standard caveat that chaining too many MIDI devices together
    via MIDI thru could cause timing delays, but that's a problem
    independent of the ST itself.

    There are also several CZ-related programs available for the ST,
    including a public domain CZ-101 patch librarian which I have.

    Hope this helps!

				*** Daryl ***

    thanks D.
    
    Midi chain delay is an old wives tale, FYI. There should be 
    nanoseconds range delay 'thru' a correctly designed midi thru. 
    Pulse distortion is another issue.
    
    Is there a review of Dr T. around? Currently my sequencer hot-item
    is "will it allow switching time signatures AND tempi whenever 
    you want?"
    
    ron
    

    I don't remember seeing a review of any of Dr.  T's software here, but
    I might have missed it.  The KCS is complex enough that it would take
    more time than I generally have available to review it myself.

    The KCS certainly allows one to change the time signature and tempo
    interactively, but I'll have to check my manual to see if it can be
    done dynamically with data stored in a control sequence.  If not, I'll
    see if it's on their wish list.

				*** Daryl ***

    I have a review of the KCS from Keyboard Magazine which I'm willing
    to photocopy for truly interested parties.
    
    (Hey, I'll do anything for a party.)
    
    	db

    then I got it. what issue, dave-babe?
    
    rr
    

    Dave, if it's the same article you mentioned to me, I seem to recall
    that it has a few inaccuracies that make it seem more limited than it
    really is.

				*** Daryl ***

    The ST's Midi-Out port is actually Midi-Out/Thru.  There was a
    recent article in some magazine that showed how to separate the
    functions.  I will try to dig up the article and let you know
    what magazine had it (it was either the latest Antic or STart if
    my fuzzy memory is working correctly).
    
    Combining Midi-Out/Thru seems to be getting to be accepted practice.
    If you look at my drum machine feature comparison a while ago you
    will notice that one of the drum machines (RX-17?) had a Midi-Out/Thru
    as well.  I wonder if this is part of a newer Midi spec?
    
    						-Dave

    Yes hello I am out here, sometimes. It seems like your questions
    have been answered. There is a lot of MIDI software around for the
    ST so if you want to use it for music purpouse its a nice machine.
    I have a 520 ST and so far I have the CZ-droid patch editor/libr
    from Hybrid Arts (reviewed in previos note) and EZ-track also from
    Hybrid Arts which is a 20 track sequencer, with very limited editing
    capabilities. The latest program I have bought is the Xsyn-FB01
    from Beam Team, a editor/librarian for the FB01. Beam Team have
    some very interesting products on the way, what is special is that
    all the programs are modules running under one program. The main
    program is called TRANSfORM, under it you have the Xsyn modules
    which are patch librarians (so far for CZ-,DX7/TX7,DX21-27-100,
    FB01,JX8 and JX10) all Xsyn modules have a built in one track poly
    sequencer so you can let your synth play when you are working with
    a patch. Next is the Xtrack which is a sequencer with grid editor.
    It claims unlimited track number. Xnotes is a note editor that lets
    you enter sheet music on the screen with standard music notation
    it also lets you play what is entered. File format for Xtrack and
    Xnotes are compatible, so you can record real time and then use
    the Xnotes to get it out on paper. The last module is the Xscript
    which is a laser printer driver to print your score one a laser
    printer. All programs run under one menu and from my experience
    with the Xsyn FB01 it looks quite good. They do the same programs
    for Apple Macintosh.
    
    If interested address in Europe is:
    
                        Beam Team Software
                        Tim Hidde
                        Sophienblatt 42a
                        D-2300 Kiel 1
                        Germany.
    
                        Telephone: 0431-63330
    
    In US:
    
                        Beam Team
                        6100 Adeline
                        Oakland
                        CA 94608
                        USA
    
                        Telephone: (415) 658-3208.
    
    Price in US is Xsyn $99,95 pr. module, Xtrack $149,95 and Xnotes
    $199,95 all for Atari ST. For Apple a bit more.
    
    Svein.
    

    RE: .wockin_waun
    
    Hey Ronzoid, if you really want to see the KCS first hand, check
    out mine for the C64...It is featureful, but not very user friendly.
    The doctor has an excuse for the non-friendliness of the C64 due to 
    memory constraints, but has no excuse for the ST given its memory
    capabilities...
    
    Is the ST's KCS graphics or text oriented????
    
    Todd.

    I just ordered Miditrack Professional from Hybrid Arts. Should have
    it in a couple of weeks. It is basically a 60 track sequencer with
    SMPTE hardware generator/reader for the 520/1040st ( I got sick
    and tired of starting the tape at the begining of the song every
    time to get things in sync ). If anyone is interested I will post
    a review after I get familiar with it.
    
    						Andre

    re: .13
    
    I am definitely interested (in a review of Miditrack Professional).
    
    I think SMPTE is going to be important for me.
    
    	db

    I'd be interested also.  My wife and I got a 1040ST two weeks ago.
    I've done a little reading on sequencer S/W for the ST. I have the KCS 
    literature (which I'll gladly copy for anyone.  It covers all of Dr.
    T's stuff), and am expecting info on some other ST sequencer packages
    real soon now.
    
    What I'm primarily interested in is step-time programming capability.
    Having no keyboard skills at all, I'd like to be able to enter stuff
    in step mode without going totally bonkers.  
    
    BTW, I've barely had time to unpack the computer since we bought it,
    but I *have* noticed that the manual leaves a lot to be desired,
    in my book.  But that's another conference...

    Rodney M.
    

    re: .7
    
    The review of the Atari KCS software is in the February 87 issue
    of Keyboard magazine.  Frank Zappa is the cover story.  
    
    There's also a review of another sequencer whose name I can't remember
    but I do remember that it sounded pretty lousy compared to the KCS
    software.
    
    I'm trying to decide on what to get regarding a PC-based MIDI
    sequencer.   I am of course using "Fehsken's Rule" (buy the hardware
    that runs the software you want).  Right now, that would probably
    lead me to a MacIntosh but I think the Atari has more potential
    and is less expensive, so I've delayed my purchase to wait
    and see what kind of acceptance the Atari achieves.
    
    I read the Keyboard magazine review of the NAMM show and if I had
    to briefly summarize the section on computer software it would be
    "Lots more stuff available now for the Atari".   At least half of
    the things reviewed were software for the Atari.   I find that
    encouraging but I'm waiting for:
    
    	1) A good review of a sequencer that is flexible, user-friendly
    	   and powerful.
    
    	2) A good MIDI to sheet music program.  So far, the only one
           that's received much favorable review is made by Mark of
           the Unicorn and it only runs on the Mac and the IBM PC.
           It costs $500 too, although someone has said it can be had
    	   for less somehow.
    
    	3) A good composition tool.  It would probably have to be a
           packaging of both a sequencer and a MIDI-to-sheet music tool,
    	   PLUS a tool that allows you to enter stuff either at the
           keyboard or in music notation on the PC screen (like
    	   MUSICWORKS).  Again, so far Mark of the Unicorn comes closest
    	   to this, but isn't available for the Atari ST.
    
    Since I'm in no hurry, I can wait and see what happens.
    
    I'm planning to use a PC sequencer in conjunction with the sequencer
    on my ESQ-1.   I've found the ESQ-1 sequencer to be incredibly 
    easy to use as a basic 8-track MIDI recorder.  It doesn't require
    the time and setup that KCS seems to and so I think it's more
    productive and allows easier experimentation (for writing) than
    KCS.  However, KCS is much better for editing data and arranging
    the parts and it has over 10x the storage capacity.
    
    I'll always need to use the ESQ-1 sequencer because it's the only
    sensible way to exploit the multi-timbral capability of the ESQ-1
    but what I expect to do is write and arrange on the ESQ-1, record
    the basic data using the ESQ-1 sequencer, then down load to the
    PC for editing and arranging the tune, then loading back to the
    sequencer anything that requires the ESQ-1 multi-timbral feature.
    
    	db

    To answer some KCS questions asked earlier, it can definitely change
    tempo at any time under sequence control.  There appears to be no way
    for a sequence to change the internal midi event value from whatever
    you set it to (it defaults to 24), so the only way to change time
    signatures is to ignore the KCS time signature and use note event times
    to create your own, which isn't too difficult, though its built-in
    metronome will be off (which can be real confusing when recording).  It
    can be done, though.

    The current ST version has a text-oriented interface which could
    definitely be easier to use, but I haven't found it too cumbersome.

				*** Daryl ***

    The MIDI-thru adapter article is in the Spring '87 issue of STart
    magazine.
    
    Here are the pinouts for the Atari ST:
    
    MIDI-Out/Thru      MIDI-Out         MIDI-Thru
         1                nc                4
         2                 2                2
         3                nc                5
         4                 4               nc
         5                nc                5
    
                     pin placement
                     --- ---------
    
     male din         female din        female din
     1 4 2 5 3        3 5 2 4 1         3 5 2 4 1
     . . . . .        . . . . .         . . . . .
    
    
         |                |                 |
        key              key               key
    
    
    						Enjoy,
    						-Dave

    RE: .16
    
    I've been using Dr. T's for the C-64 for a while now and highly
    recommend that you take a close look at it before buying anything
    else. I love the C-64 version and I'm sure the Atari version is
    much better yet.
    
    BTW, a band mate has an ESQ-1 and we use the C-64 to sequence
    multi-timbral sounds on it. All you really need the ESQ sequencer
    for is to select the MIDI channels you want your sounds to respond
    to. Once the sequence and channels are selected from the ESQ, the
    C-64 can control everything else in  multi-timbral mode. Select
    patches for different MIDI channels, mix the volumes of the sounds,
    and sequence the parts. Works great.
                                          
    Rob

    Just got some literature from Hybrid Arts [11920 W. Olypmic Blvd,
    LA, CA 90064 213-826-3777.  They have a new professional sequencer out 
    called  SmpteTrack (Professional).  It is apparently the top of the line of
    the MidiTrack ST Series.  A list of the features follows. It's a
    long list.
    
    - 60 tracks
    - 60K notes on an Atari 1040ST
    - MIDI remote controller (change all instrument patches from the
         computer)
    - MIDI remote channelizer (allows MIDI thru even on instruments
         that can't control MIDI thru
    - Master controlling of any one or all MIDI instruments in the MIDI
         chain by selecting MIDI mode, patches, starting/clocking other MIDI
         sequencers, etc.
    - Locks to all SMPTE timing configurations (Bit accurate), MIDI,
         and non-MIDI synchronizing.  While SmpteMate is reading and locking
         up to SMPTE, SmpteTrack can output a MIDI Song Position Pointer
         comand, a MIDI Start command, or MIDI clocks to locate and drive
         a drum machine.
    - Can output a 96/48/24 pulse-per-quarter note clock to drive a
         non-MIDI drum machine while locking to another type of sync
    - Over 100 programmable quantize levels (resolution 1/2 quarter
         note down to a single clock)
    - Selectable quantize (move only note ON, or both note ON and note
         OFF
    - Intelligent Punch IN/OUT (set the Punch points with the punch
         clocks - manually or in real time)
    - Selectable Punch (move just MIDI ON or the entire MIDI event)
    - Programmable Start/Stop points (Pre-roll, post-roll-set real time
         'on the fly' or manually)
    - Instant Locate (over 15K notes/second)
    - Programmable tempo changes
    - Tempo changes will also affect SmpteMate outputs
    - Mixing & unmixing tracks
    - Instantaneous Global Transpose (over a range of 8 octaves selected
         by half steps or jumping an octave at a time
    - Individual track transpose
    - Real time features (muting/soloing tracks, transposing, patch
        changes,...etc.)
    - Advanced and easy to use song building feature with 100 sections
         (like pattern in a drum machine), and unlimited section chaining
         for sophisticated pattern looping
    - Loop control tracks perform assigned loops while other tracks
         play linearly
    - Overview Looping Chart for a broad look at what sections occur
         where and when
    - GenPatch ST System Auto-Injector (included with SmpteTrack) instantly
         loads all of your MIDI instruments with a whole new set of sounds,
         samples, patterns, and songs when you load in a new SmpteTrack song
         file
    - Precise TEMPO retention even during heavy MIDI data transfers
    - Track offset (ahead or behind) for a loose/realistic feel
    - 27 Registers (3 banks of 9) to store current editing information
         such as track ON/OFF, TEMPO settings, Punch IN/OUTpoints, and 
         Start/Stop points
    
    The "SmpteMate" referred to above is an external box that syncs
    with any type of audio recorder external to the SmpteTrack MIDI
    Recorder.  

    I don't know what a lot of that stuff means, but it sure sounds
    pretty comprehensive to me.  Overkill for me. 
    
    They also have a 16 bit stereo sampler for the 1040ST, and several
    patch librarians.
    
    Prices were (conspiciously, to me) absent from the literature. And
    apparently you need to call Los Angeles if you want to buy their
    stuff. No 800 or collect number. Just the business card of a Peter
    Aiello, Regional Marketing Director.

    Rodney M.
    

    So far I have been using the EZ-track from Hybrid Arts to run on
    my 520 ST. As a sequencer it is OK, but it can not sync to any tape.
    As far as the ST goes I like it a lot and would buy the same machine
    again today if I had the choise. Using the EZ-track, and the other
    MIDI software I have is done by pointing and clicking the mouse.
    The only time I ever use the keyboard is to enter titles for songs
    or patches. For the moment I am waiting to see what Beam Teams
    TRANSfORM package can do. The two modules Xtrack and Xnotes seem
    to be a powerfull tool for song writing. The Xtrack is a sequencer
    with "unlimited" number of tracks which have a grideditor, I think
    for editing what you have played realtime or entering step time.
    The Xnotes use the same file format as Xtrack, and you will then
    be able to edit or enter a song with standard music notation on
    the screen using the mouse of the ST. Both programs works standalone
    also, so with only the Xnotes module you will be able to enter music
    and play it or print it on a printer. If you are more proffesionaly
    oriented there is also a module called translate the file into 
    postscript format to print it on a laser printer, and as you may
    know, a cheap laserprinter have been shown for the ST but it will
    need one of the new Mega ST machines to run.
    The Xtrack and Xnotes modules should be finnished by July this year.
    If the quality will be as good as the Xsyn-FB01 (patch librarian)
    I already have, it looks good. 
    For address and price see one of the previous replies to this note.
    
    I plan to get both Xtrack and Xnotes as soon as they are available
    so if you think of waiting a while I can come back with a review
    when I have them.
    
    Svein.
    

    
    	Re: .20
    
    	Did you say _16-bit_ _stereo_ sampler???
    
    	(I gotta have it... I gotta have it...)
    				- HBM

    	Well, I finally recieved my Hybrid Arts SMPTETRACK yesterday
    and have had one night to play around with it. It is quite detailed
    so I will tell you what I know about it so far. I must say that
    the first two passes through the manual (about 120 pages) left
    me a little bit disappointed, but that was before I had a chance
    to actually use it. It's not that the manual is poorly written
    (although it's not the best I've seen), but there are a lot of ways
    of doing things and the only way to really learn them is to
    experiment. The manual can't teach you those things. The first thing
    you see when you open the manual is this..
    
    			IMPORTANT
    
    THIS IS A PRE-RELEASE VERSION OF THE SOFTWARE. THIS IS NOT THE FINAL
    VERSION. YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED BY MAIL WHEN THE FINAL VERSION IS
    COMPLETE.
    
    It appears the only major thing left out of this version is the
    graphic note editing. It DOES have midi event editing. I'll get
    to that.
    	The SMPTETRACK screen is split into 3 parts. They are the
    Control Display, the Track Display and the Menu bar. All are visible
    at the same time.
    
    	The CONTROL DISPLAY:
    The control display contains:
    SONG NAME: A 14 character name identifies the song. 
    Date And Time of the last file save:
    Tempo: adjustable between .5 and 480 BPM by the mouse or keyboard
    Metronome Icon: A visual metronome.
    Speaker Icon: Used to turn the speaker click on and off.
    Sync Icon: Used to select the sync source. They are..Internal sync,
    	Midi click, Sync box. Sync box is the hardware box that is supplied
    	with the SMPTETRACK. It allows syncing to any type of sync you
    	can imagine, including SMPTE.
    SMPTE on screen: Below the sync icon is a box that displays the
    	SMPTE hours:min:sec when in SMPTE sync mode. Clicking on the
	box switches between raw-SMPTE and offset-SMPTE.
    	Tranpose icon: Tranposes all midi output by as much as 4 octaves
    	plus or minus. Next to the transpose icon is an exempt channel number
    	which allows you to exempt a particular midi channel from transposition
    	as in the case of a drum machine where transposing would change
    	the drums being triggered.
    Patch change Icon: Allows you to change patches on a particular
    	midi channel. Haven't tried it yet.
    Midi-thru-enable icon: Actually merges incoming midi data with
    	sequencer data and send both out midi-out. The midi data on
    	the incoming port can be channelized and sent to any channel on
    	the midi-out port.
    Register and section icons: These are two powerful concepts of the
    	SMPTETRACK. There are 27 "registers" in the program. Each register
    	remembers track on-off status and mutes,tempo,punch-in time,punch-out
    	time,start and stop time. In thier simplest form the registers
    	can be used to set up cue points (ie. start the song here and
    	go 8 beats and then punch in, record 16 beats and then punch
    	out). By using the registers you can have many songs within
    	a song. Tracks 1-10 could be one song and one register could
    	mute all other tracks, set the proper tempo and the start and
    	end points. Great for live where loading one song could actually
    	load 5 to 10 songs and switching the registers switches the
    	song. Sections define musical segments of a song. There are
    	100 sections. Each section contains a start and end time and
    	the tracks that are included in the section. Sections are used
    	to assemble chains in drum machine fashion. There can be 400
    	sections in an assembled chain.
    Stop icon: Analog recorder type stop button. Hitting RETURN is the
    	same as the stop button.
    Play/record icon: Starts playing either from the beggining of the
    	song or the beggining of the selected section. Hitting SPACE-BAR
    	is the same as clicking the play/record icon.
    Pause/chase icon: Pauses the playback. If hit again playback resumes
    	from current position. In SMPTE sync mode, hitting pause/chase
    	causes the sequencer to chase the SMPTE and start playing. Hitting
    	tab is the same as clicking on pause/chase.
    Keep icon: After recording (by the way, the sequencer ALWAYS records
    	when you press play) hitting the keep button causes the sequencer
    	to ask which track you want to save to. You can save to the
    	same track that you are currently on in which case it will
    	overwrite the previous data.
    Available memory: A graphical display of memory used in percent.
    Auto-locate: There are five numerical displays of time or ticks.
    	Each can be set by clicking the mouse on the digit you wish
    	to change either up or down. The time can also be set "on the
    	fly" as the sequencer plays by clicking next to the box when
    	the appropriate time comes around in the song. Just like a real
    	punch in. The five displays are: pre-roll start, punch in, punch-
    	out, post-roll end and a real time counter. There is also a
    	punch enable icon and a reset icon for resetting the real time
    	counter to zero.
    
    The next section is the Track Display which displays and controls
    	the status of the sixty tracks.
    
    	I will continue discussion on the track display in the next
    reply. I think my system is going down	

    re .23	Did it really take 2 - 3 months to get it ?

        
    re  Atari ST's from Hybrid Arts	
    
    	A month or two ago I saw some ads for the "whole deal", i.e.
    hardware, software, etc. (I hesitate to say anything like "system
    package", or "turnkey")   Does anyone know what the effective discount
    is on these packages and how good of a deal they are vs collecting
    everything up one unit at a time ?   (Given that one has the use
    for it, it fits the spending priorities, etc.)
    
	Reg
    
    

    

Hybrid Arts SMPTETRACK continued.

First, re. 24. Yes it took a couple of months but my dealer (Caruso music)
may have screwed up the initial order.

The next section is the Track Display. SMPTETRACK has 60 tracks of which
20 are displayed at one time. The Track Display controls and shows the 
status of each of the tracks. Each track displays:
Track Pointer: Which of the 60 tracks is currently selected. It is on 
	this track that you're recording or any changes will be saved.
	Clicking the mouse next to a track changes the default to that
	track. The arrow keys also move through the tracks.
Track Number:
Track Name: Each track can be named.
Track Type Indicator: Normal midi event tracks display a ":". Tracks that
	are used as chain tracks display a "c". When you assemble a chain
	of sections, the chain is stored to a track. This track will then
	play the chain at the same time that other linear tracks (which
	are not muted) play linearly. You can also store tempo changes
	to a track for creating a master tempo map. Tempo tracks display
	a "t".
Track on/off: Displays an up arrow for tracks that are on. A down arrow
	for tracks that are muted. The mouse or keyboard is used to change
	their state.
Loop Indicator: This appears instead of the arrows for tracks that are 
	being played as part of a chain.
Note Activity Indicators: These appear in the display for a track that
	has info recorded on it. The indicators correspond to the shifted
	numeric characters found on the top row of a computer keyboard and
	change in real time as the track plays. For example, if at any given
	time the track has 3 notes on it the display will show a #. 4 notes
	displays a $, 5 a % etc.
Memory Used: Displays the percent of total memory used by this track.
End Of Track: During playback this icon appears after the last note has
	finished.
Changed since last saved: A "c" appears if the track is changed but has not
	been saved yet.
Protected/unprotected: This indicates if a track is protected from changes
	or not.
Midi Channel select: A track normally plays back on the same midi channel 
	it was recorded on. This icon allows you to change the midi playback
	channel.

The Third display section is the menu bar. The main menu entries are:
	Desk, File, Track, Inspect, MIDI, Box, Options, Safety.

Two desk acc's come with SMPTETRACK. One is SMPTEmate and the other is
	GenPatch. SMPTEmate sets up all the parameters in the SMPTE box
	for SMPTE generation and reading. GenPatch allows you to link songs
	with system exclusive patch info created with Genpatch ST (not
	included). This automates the downloading of patches or banks of
	patches to any connected midi device when the song starts up.

Under the FILE menu are the normal file commands you'd expect. Load,save
	delete etc. as well as the ability to format a disk from within
	the program.

Under TRACK is Name,Protect,Delete and Glue Section which allows you to
	take a section and copy to anywhere else on any other track.

The entries under EDIT are Name Song, Copy Track, Mix Track, Quantize
	Track, Durate Track which allows you to set the note duration
	for all the notes in a track, Transpose Track, Unmix Track,
	Velocity Adjust which gives you a few different methods for
	scaling the velocity of all notes on a track, Review Sections
	which shows you the beggining and end times for each section 
	you have defined as well as the tracks that are included in the
	section, Assemble Chain, Build Tempo Track, Erase Song.

There is one entry presently under the INSPECT menu. It is Event List.
	The event list allows you to edit any event from any one of the
	60 tracks. You can insert new events, delete incorrect events,
	or change existing events. Each line of the event list screen
	contains from left to right, the time the event took place,
	the midi code for the event in hex up to 3 bytes, the midi
	channel, an english description of the event (eg. Note On, Note
	Number, velocity value). You can also filter what events you are
	looking at such as, just note data, system data, patch change
	data etc.

The MIDI menu entry contains Mode, which allows you to send MIDI system
	messages such as all notes off or tune request etc. Input Filters,
	which is self explanatory, Output Options, Patch Limits.

The BOX menu is used to select functions for the external sync or SMPTE box.
	It contains Ext Sync Type which tailors the sync input to the 
	specified external sync source. Just about every sync type that I
	have seen are supported. Output sync performs the same function 
	in reverse. SMPTE start set the SMPTE frame number at which SMPTE-
	TRACK will start playing. Write HybriSync is Hybrid Arts own sync
	tone. It is like FSK but is independent of tempo.

The OPTIONS menu contains Punch Method. This enable the sequencer to remember
	anything played within one beat before the punch-in point, but
	will insert this data AT the punch-in point. It's usefull for 
	remembering the sustain pedal that you step on before the punch-in
	point for example. It will also insert note-off events at the punch-
	in point to insure that notes don't "hang". Quantize Method either
	shifts the beggining of the note which will change duration or
	moves the entire note. Track Delays allow you to shift whole tracks
	in time +- 90 ticks or about a 1/4 note.

The SAFETY menu lets you select different safety techniques to help you
	keep data from being erase accidentally.

This is still a basic overview of the whole system. If anyone has any more
	in-depth questions I will try to answer them based on the limited
	experience that I have so far. I CAN say that I am quite pleased
	with the product, and this is still a pre release. The only thing
	that really bothers me is that there is no way to combine two
	songs that are stored separately, or extract tracks from a 
	previously saved song to a new song.

						Andre
	

    
    This month's MUSICIAN magazine (the one with Coltrane on the cover)
    has a long article on using thae Atari STs with MIDI.  Haven't read
    it yet, I expect a quick rundown on available SW packages.
    
    Should be of interest to others who are looking at going the Atari
    route.
    
    

	Well, I didn't want to start a new topic, so I revived this one.
	Has anyone seen the new Atari Stacy 4 computer advertised in the
	latest issue of EM?  Pretty neat if you ask me - laptop, 4 Meg 
	internal memory, a floppy drive and a hard drive, trackball, all
	in a very compact package.  The ad shows Notator being run on it.

	Just thought I'd share this in case anyone's looking for a PC
	for sequencing.

	Dan

    Did they give a price on this? I'd be interested to know.
    
    - Ram

	I think I remember reading that the 'normal' Stacy ( 1 Meg internal RAM
with 2 floppy drives ) was supposed to retail for about $1500, though I'm not
entirely sure.

	Dan

    The December, 1989 issue of ST World has an article on STACY.
    
    Some UK Pricing ...
    
    Stacy 1: 1Mb RAM, twin Floppies , TBA pounds.
    Stacy 2: 2Mb RAM, 20mb hard disk, 1299.99 pds + VAT.
    Stacy 4: 4Mb RAM, 40mb hard disk, 1699.99 pds + VAT.
    
    I also found an interesting article from an early ST MAG (from the
    ATARIST notes file).
    
    Bruce
    
    ------------------------------ extract about Stacy ------------------
    
 Xx STACY CONDITIONALLY APPROVED BY FCC
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 Atari announced this week that the FCC had finally passed the STACY
 Laptop Computer for U.S. distribution.  However, the type acceptance is
 as a CLASS A device, which is a designation for business and industrial
 use only.  This means that Atari cannot sell the Stacy as a consumer 
 device at this time, but will be able to market it to the largest and
 loudest group currently clamoring for it - professional musicians.  The
 Stacy, with its built in ST MIDI ports, is a Godsend to musicians who
 need portable equipment for performances.  As a result, the Stacy will
 be shipping "within 30 days" to anxiously waiting music stores across
 the USA, according to Atari sources.

 It seems that the power supply has been one of the most problematic of
 the electrical noise output that has prevented Stacy from FCC acceptance
 to date.  The "Type A" rating is much more forgiving than the "Type B -
 Computing Device" acceptance that will be needed before regular consumer
 /computer stores will be able to market the computer.  Atari plans to
 continue the efforts to obtain the more favorable type acceptance, even
 if some re-design of the Stacy becomes necessary.

 Musician demand appears to already be large enough to eat all of the
 first production runs of the laptop ST.  While later internal revisions
 may be drastic, even to the point of an entire new motherboard, the
 features that musicians need will likely be unchanged.  Potential
 changes include incorporation of the STE design, which is cheaper to
 manufacture and uses fewer parts, while offering added palette colors
 and digital stereo internal sound.  If this route is taken, expect a
 revised Stacy to finally make it into the consumer channels as late as
 mid 1990.

 Mac users will be livid... even Atari officials concede that a huge
 market for the Stacy lies in the Macintosh emulation of the GCR from
 Gadgets By Small.  At a third the cost of the MAC portable, the Stacy/
 GCR looks better and runs faster.  On the brighter side, the FCC has no
 "home patrol"... so just because Atari can't market through home
 computer store channels does not mean you and I can't go buy a Stacy at
 the local music store and take it home.  This is all part of the wide
 and wonderful world of Federal regulation.  Makes you feel safe, doesn't
 it?