[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

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

1880.0. "Score notation-MIDI files-LN03 print" by STKSMA::HALL (Take care of your MIDI) Fri Jan 27 1989 11:07


Well, I've just read almost all info in this file now (started back 
in summertime) I have to say that there is A LOT of valuable info 
for everyone who is interested in synths, computers, MIDI and the 
art of music creation.

For a couple of weeks now, I been thinking and wondering about the 
possibility to print the scores for my sequensed stuff. I know there 
are some good (and bad) computerised, ready to go programs out but 
I would like to use what is available to me now without spending 
extra bucks.

My basic thoughts are:

I have an ATARI ST, I have a fairly good sequencer program (Steinberg 
PRO 24 version III). I have something called MASTERSCORE although 
I have not been able to run it because it needs a monochrome monitor. 
I have a modem and I could upload whatever file format needed to my 
VAX which has a LN03 Laser printer. I've seen that the LN03 is able 
to print fairly good score notation. So everything seems to be there.

But.... not beeing a computer wizard I'm not able to figure out how 
this could be done. Could the "standard MIDI files" that the PRO24 
is able to put on discette bee used or do I have to convert to some 
"score program format" first??

What is availbale on the VAX end. What format is needed by the VAX 
software/printerdriver?? Fonts for LN03?? 

I know that some of you have experience doing things like this and 
I appreciate any info that would help me do what I want.

----------------------------------

BTW, talking about "MIDI standard file format", is there any 
experience out there swapping such a file between different 
sequencers. Say that I have a friend with (manufacturer name)
H/W or S/W sequencer that is able to produce the Standard File
format. Providing it's the same media (3.5" disc) could I put it 
in my ATARI drive and have PRO24 read it, understand what's in 
there and hopefully (after diddling with midi-channels, voice 
assignments and so on) play back my friends piece??
What about swapping pieces over the net??

Please, excuse any language/spelling errors of mine.

Torbjorn

    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1880.1Hope this helps.DYO780::SCHAFERBrad - back in Ohio.Fri Jan 27 1989 13:2732
RE: printing scores on an LN03

    The contents of any given sequence file are unintelligible to humans.
    Masterscore (or whatever it is) translates the sequence to a file
    containing printer directives necessary to print intellible characters
    as music notation. 

    In the case of the LN03, if your scoring program can generate
    Postscript or Sixel output files, you will be able to upload those
    files from your Atari to a VAX (using Kermit, X/YModem, WHACK, etc. -
    see MAY14::ATARIST for more info) and print them on an LN03 using the
    command: 

	$ PRINT/PASSALL/NOFEED filename

    There are other output formats as well - I'm not sure what all can be
    done with the various types of output.

RE: swapping standard MIDI files

    Theoretically, if your friend has an Atari ST sequencer that can write
    MIDI files, and if PRO-24 can read MIDI files, you should be able to
    load from one to the other. 

    There will probably be some data loss, as most sequencers implement a
    superset of features that can be stored in a MIDI standard file. But
    the basic song should be intact. 

    There will also be trouble if you attempt to read disks written on a
    machine other than the ST without the proper software. 

-b    
1880.2more...NORGE::CHADIch glaube Ich t�te Ich h�tteFri Jan 27 1989 15:0718
To clarify a few things Brad said.

The PostSCript version of the LN03 is the LN03R.  A normal LN03 will print
the PostScript (TM) language version of the file, not the image itself.
Please correct me if I'm wrong someone.

Using Atari disks in other machines:  If it is first formatted on an IBM or
using an IBM formatter on the ST, the disk is also transportable to any
IBM/MS-DOS machine with 3.5 inch drives (or 5.25 inch if your Atari has a
drive of that type).  That means that PC sequencers that read "standard
MIDI files" should theoretically be able to use your ST "standard" files.

The MIDI file format doesn't address the question of disk formats, so ST disks
are not normally usable on other machines.

Good luck

Chad
1880.3So it is possible!!STKSMA::HALLTake care of your MIDISun Jan 29 1989 04:3721
    re: MIDI file swapping
    
    So, it seems to me that the CONTENT of the file is transferable
    but maybe not the physical format. So if I upload the file from
    my ST to the VAX and someone else donwloaded it to a PC/AMIGA.... 
    the musical content (with possible drops of some info) can be read 
    into another sequencer that will accept the standard format. Right??

    Who wants to give it a try?? I have some single channel, single
    voice MIDI files that I can UUENCODE and send somewhere and someone
    out there could do a playback with a good piano patch!!!
    
    re: score notation
    
    So the only problem I have is to convert the (graphical) file from
    my score program into sixel format (hey, I could even print on LA50)
    and send it to LN03. Having produced the sixel file, can the LN03
    accept it directly with help of the previous mentioned PRINT command??
    
    Torbjorn
    
1880.4yepNORGE::CHADIch glaube Ich t�te Ich h�tteMon Jan 30 1989 11:047
Electronic Musician issue Feb 89 has a simple ST notation program in Basic
for SST sequencer and Epson (I think) printers.  If you know about your
MIDI files and about Sixel format, you could modify the program to
make the sixel files for you.  You could then print on the LN03.

CHad