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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

2362.0. "MIDI card comparison - Hardware for PC Clones" by SAGAN2::LOWE (Chris Lowe) Wed Jun 06 1990 17:47

    I've searched keywords and titles and I cannot find what I'm looking
    for.  Perhaps a pointer if there is a topic, otherwise....
    
    I'm looking for information on MIDI boards for PC's.  There is some
    amount of data on the MPU101, 401, and IPC, but I'm looking for a
    comparison of vendors.
    
    Wurlitzer's is selling a CMS (Computer Music Systems) MIDI board (No
    SMPTE) bundled with Cakewalk (my choice of software) for $250.  The 
    price is not unreasonable (based on ads the prices mentioned in this file)
    if the board is any good.
    
    Can anyone comment or point me to the discussion?
    
    
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2362.1Be carefulCSG001::ROACHTeenage Mutant Ninja MarketeersWed Jun 06 1990 18:308
I vaguely remember reading something, somewhere - but I would not swear to it 
- that the Cakewalk that came with some of the CMS stuff was bootleg. If it is 
and you buy it, no support for Cakewalk. You might want to be careful and 
check it out. Or call Twelve Tone (in Burlington, MA - I think).

The memory is getting fuzzy.

Geoff
2362.2You'll LIVE in the sequencer!DOOLIN::HNELSONThu Jun 07 1990 08:3117
    Re .1:
    
    I'd be totally beyond awesome dumbfounded if the Cakewalk from CMS was
    bootleg: they've been advertising that combo for something like a year
    in all the commusic mags.
    
    Re .0:
    
    I don't think that the decision about which card is at all critical. If
    they emulate the 401, you're home free. The important decision is which
    sequencing program. Cakewalk regularly wins "best in field" awards from
    the mags, but it doesn't use standard notation (the musical staff,
    etc.). CAKEWALK is a keyword, for more info. Also try "dir/key=ibm".
    
    Let us know what you decide, and how you like what you've selected.
    
    - Hoyt
2362.3check it outNORGE::CHADIch glaube Ich t�te Ich h�tteThu Jun 07 1990 10:404
Actually the story is something like the CMS version not being supported as it 
is an illegal copy.  You'd be best to really check it out.

Chad
2362.4Color me dumbfoundedDOOLIN::HNELSONThu Jun 07 1990 10:5716
    I called Twelve-tone Systems (Cakewalk), and confirmed .1 and .3; the
    idiot who entered .2 is wrong, wrong, wrong.
    
    According to the Twelve-tone guy, they had a licensing agreement with
    CMS which expired a year ago. CMS holds that the license is still
    valid, and the two companies are litigating with no resolution in
    sight. In the meanwhile, Twelve-tone is NOT supporting the copies which
    CMS has produced. The guy's tone indicated that support MIGHT be
    offered in the future, depending on how the litigation proceeds.
    
    The Twelve-tone rep suggested the following (high-end) combo: Cakewalk
    Professional with the MQX-32 interface. The two give you TWO separate
    16-channel MIDI circuits, and SMPTE support. FWIW. The pair list for
    $550, but dealers discount substantially (he says).
    
    - Hoyt
2362.5Lower price at LaSalle Music.SPKALI::AXELMike Axel SPO 243-2669Fri Jun 08 1990 12:014
    Last month, I was given a price of $189 for the Cakewalk/CMS combo
    at LaSalle in East Hartford, CT.
    
    
2362.6My experienceDUGGAN::RICHFri Jun 08 1990 13:3711
    I bought the CMS/Cakewalk combo about a year ago from Acton Music.
    The version of Cakewalk was an earlier version (2.?) and when I called
    Cakewalk, they asked me what the serial number on the software was.
    When I told them, they said I WAS SUPPORTED, thus got the upgrade for a
    nominal cost.
    
    Moral of story, if in doubt: Open the package, get the serial number of
    the Cakewalk supplied, call them and they will tell you whether they
    support or not.
    
    -Neil