Apple II Music & Sound Forum November 17, 1990 10:00pm EDT Subject: Hints & Tips using misc. music programs Forum Leader: Joyce Madden (AFL JoyceM) AFL JoyceM I do have some announcements tonight about SynthLAB DaniF what is Synthlab? AFL JoyceM SynthLAB is a new program, actually a new MIDI tool for the Apple IIGS. EdwardRo It's a music sequencer program which takes advantage of the new MIDI tool! AFA Bruce But the new tool isn't on System 5.0.3 EdwardRo That's news:( AFL JoyceM Nope, it isn't - that's part of my announcement :( EdwardRo Let's hear the rest AFA Bruce Sorry to steal your thunder Joyce. :) AFL JoyceM Notice I am using a :( and not a :) AFL JoyceM No problem, Bruce. DaniF Huh? 5.0.3? I am using 5.0.2 ! AFL JoyceM Okay...let me get started then we can get to our subject...Where are we Headed. First of all, I would like to welcome a new member of our AMS staff. EdwardRo. AFA Bruce ALL RIGHT ED!!!!!! EdwardRo Thanks, Joyce!:)) AFL JoyceM He will be a Forum Consultant and this now makes our staff complete. Hopefully his screen name will be AFC Eddie. AFA Gene ()()()()() Ed! AFA Bruce Ed, what's your specialty going to be?????? AFA Bruce Probably music trivia. <> EdwardRo Don't know if I have one, but I do a lot of MIDI and composing. AFL JoyceM He will be an asset to our staff....and we welcome him. Okay...now to the news about MIDISynth, I talked again today with Apple re MIDISynth (SynthLAB) and the Tool 35. APDA will have it in their hands by the end of October. As far as it being available to on-line services it is looking more and more doubtful, due to Apple and APDA and their rules and regulations. It will not be on the soon-to-be released System 5.03, whenever that comes out! Apple has legal problems releasing a Tool as does APDA without full program and dox. I sent in my application of $20 to APDA today! That's about all re SynthLAB :( Any questions or comments? AFA Bruce bummer! EdwardRo What does that mean as far as the non-online availability? AFL JoyceM Real bummer!!! AFA Bruce non-existant AFL JoyceM Only now thru APDA. EdwardRo Boo:(( AFL JoyceM The cost, I am told will be below $30 from APDA. EdwardRo Is there a final version by end Oct? AFL JoyceM I really dislike Apple's thoughts on this and other things :) AFL JoyceM Ed, I believe there is only one revision since the one I have...and they are supposed to release that latest version. EdwardRo Well, when the new Macs go belly up, Apple will come back begging! DaniF Haha I hope so! AFL JoyceM Could be.....remember we Apple II people gave Apple enough money to do research for the Macintosh!!! AFA Bruce Joyce, could I comment on 5.0.3? AFL JoyceM Sure Bruce.... AFA Bruce Dani, and others that are interest and haven't heard System 5.0.3 will be coming out soon (I guess). There is a very good description over in the Apple Technical Notes section of AHW and it is listed under the System Tech notes. It is Tecnical Note number 1 in the System section. There are changes, but nothing in the MIDI section. :( thanks joyce. EdwardRo Anyone want more bad music news? ELECTMUSIC Bruce, I heard that 5.03 is already being shipped by AE in their HDrives AFA Bruce Hadn't heard that Greg, but Beagle is mentioning it in their ads too. ELECTMUSIC Afa Parik mentioned it in ATB HsBoyElroy I read that also (about AE & 5.03) in the chat log about Laser printing recently ELECTMUSIC Seems to me if AE is doing that, then GS users should be able to able to use it EdwardRo I got hold of a Passport Tekkie on the phone 2 or 3 days ago, and asked about their plans (if any) to upgrade Mastertracks or introduce any new programs...The answer is no market -> no plans! :((( AFL JoyceM Yep....but we all will have our chance on November 21st to tell them we want upgraded !!!! EdwardRo Can't wait to let'em know in force! AFA Bruce Gee, my wedding anniversary. Oh boy. AFL JoyceM Passport, that is. ELECTMUSIC What would we like to see in an upgrade for MTPro? AFL JoyceM Gee Bruce, what a decision to make...go to dinner for the Anniv. or be here :) EdwardRo Or bring your portable Mac to dinner and join us! AFA Bruce No decision, we eat in or from McD's. :) AFL JoyceM Hopefully we can get Passports attention at that chat. AFA Bruce Greg, as far as upgrading MTPro, I would simply like to see the few additional things that are on the Mac version show up in the GS version. EdwardRo I'd like to see Passport do some Editor/Librarian programs. EdwardRo Show 'em the MT songs in our library! AFA Bruce The big problem with Editor/Librarians in the past few years is the fact that the hardware changes so rapidly, it's outdated upon release. ELECTMUSIC Correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't it be possible to get MTPro to ExpressLoad EdwardRo They now have "universal" Ed/Libs! AFA Bruce Really Ed? Haven't seen those yet, but I only own an Apple // and they don't exist. ELECTMUSIC It seems MTPro takes a long time to load (even with a HDrive) AFA Bruce True Greg. But it's worth it to me. :) AFL JoyceM For those that were late....let me make two announcements. First of all please welcome EdwardRo as a new staff member for AMS...and SynthLAB (MIDISynth) will NOT be on System 5.03 and probably won't be on any on-line services....only thru APDA :( Comments....? EdwardRo Alright, how 'bout some good news? Has anyone gotten or tried new Musicwriter? Nuzz Well, Congratulations Edward, Boo Apple AFL JoyceM Bruce, you said something about universal editors... EdwardRo Thanks, Nuzz! ELECTMUSIC Joyce, I guess the problem has to do with the DOCS for the Midi tool AFL JoyceM That's part of it, Greg, the other is the Tool itself...remember a Tool is a system File...and Apple has problems with that! AFA Bruce No Joyce, Ed said there were Univeral Editors. I just said I haven't seen them yet. AFL JoyceM Oh...., thanks Bruce AFA Bruce Joyce, have you tried MusicWriter yet? EdwardRo I saw at least one or two ads for universal Ed/Libs in the latest issue of Keyboard, which I got today. AFL JoyceM Yes, but very limited. I finally got the latest beta version. ELECTMUSIC But, doesn't Apple release the System files online as updates? Nuzz Do you any info on the price from APDA AFL JoyceM Mike, under $30. AFA Bruce What version Joyce "Limited" (2 staff) AFL JoyceM I know, Greg....but..... AFL JoyceM No, Bruce it is full staff - professional. Nuzz Hmm, thats more than we will be offering it for, and you get a disk of songs and way to use those songs too. AFL JoyceM Great, Mike....Tim Swihart didn't really know the price today, but said it would be under $30. At least we all now know where we can get it plus songs..right, Mike? AFL JoyceM Mike, when all that is available, please be sure to post it in AMS....I know that you will be overwhelmed with orders :) Nuzz Sigh, I'm waiting like everyone else is... AFA Bruce Joyce, seriously, will your copy print out? AFL JoyceM Mike, the dox are done and the packaging is now waiting Apple's approval :) AFL JoyceM Bruce, I haven't tried that yet. AFC DaveS What's done? AFL JoyceM For SynthLAB (MIDISynth), Dave. But now only thru APDA not on-line services. AFA Bruce Joyce, do you print from and imagewriter II? AFL JoyceM I do, Bruce. AFA Bruce Joyce, I would be interested in seeing what a printed out score looks like. AFA Bruce Would you mind if I emailed you my address and have you send me a copy of the printout when you do one? AFA Gene Bruce, as far as I know there is no difference in quality. It just prints a bit faster. AFL JoyceM Bruce, give me your address and will send you a printout. AFA Gene (We had Pyware on a few weeks ago) AFA Bruce Thanks Joyce. Yeah Gene, I missed the chat, and I never saw a printout from any version, so I'd be interested in seeing one before I buy. AFL JoyceM From the brochure I have here...the IW II looks pretty clean, but not as good as a laser. EdwardRo Print quality on the old MW wasn't too bad. AFL JoyceM I know that Greg has had some experience with MW printouts...maybe he can comment. Bruce, there is a log of that chat. ELECTMUSIC They PO of Mwriter is usable. BUT... not for publishing quality. It's great for school use - Like comparing Appleworks from the Imagewriter to some DTP quality on a Laser. AFA Bruce I've got the log Joyce,but never saw any info on price, print qual, etc. AFL JoyceM I am wondering if the new InkJet printer drivers that Vitesse will be coming out with will work with MW.....would be interesting. ELECTMUSIC Bruce... the price is the same AFA Bruce thanks greg. AFL JoyceM Bruce, I have a brochure here that I can send you. ELECTMUSIC Joyce, are they shipping 2.0? AFL JoyceM No, not yet. They found a huge bug in MW.....and requires a portion of the program to be complete re-write :( EdwardRo I didn't know about the bug! AFL JoyceM Like importing songs from previous versions of MW. EdwardRo uh oh! AFL JoyceM I was told that last week....slipped my mind. ELECTMUSIC Joyce.. I am using MTPro from my HRive and it seems to be working. AFL JoyceM It should, Greg, if you just move those MIDI drivers to your Driver folder. EdwardRo Mine has always worked on HDrive. AFA Bruce Same here. No problems with MTPro on HD. Greg, here's something I would like Passport to do. Enable the Control Panel from the menus Apple. ELECTMUSIC Passport claims there is a problem, with 5.0 and MTPro - Yea, that was one problem AFL JoyceM Mike...you mentioned about MIDISynth and Triad...what will be your price? ELECTMUSIC When trying to use the CPanel it crashed AFA Bruce I've got my copy running under 5.0.2 with no problems except for it locking up if you change disks before clicking on the drive for opening a file. ELECTMUSIC I would like the see the Midi NDA in the CPane usable ion MTPro. AFL JoyceM BTW, Greg and Ed and Bruce, will pass your thoughts to the powers to be. Nuzz THe retail price will be $39.95 for tool, song disk and uh, player. Should mean a mail order price of around $23-25 EdwardRo Cheap! AFL JoyceM Great, Mike.....count me in :) Nuzz The player is looking real cool too AFL JoyceM Can you explain about the player...am not familiar with it. Nuzz Well the player(s) will supplied as Xcmds that can be used with HyperStudio and whatever Hyper programs that should become available. In other words, YOU control how and when to play songs and NO licensing fees will be owed to Triad to use it yourself AFL JoyceM But thru HyperStudio and maybe HypercardGS if we ever see it? Sounds like an innovative program. Nuzz Only limited by your imagination that way AFL JoyceM :) EdwardRo So, we got some good news, after all! AFL JoyceM The sounds would be made thru SynthLAB? or other sources too? Nuzz Synthlab is just a demo program. I wrote my own player routines. Oh yes, You could use Synthlab to play the songs too. AFL JoyceM Interesting....thanks, Mike. AFL JoyceM To change the subject, but I have a question about digitizing.....Someone asked to have the sound of a Koto instrument. I happen to have that sound on my Yamaha keyboard. How can I get it recorded for use as an instrument sound...for other programs? EdwardRo What digitizer, Joyce? AFL JoyceM Yep...that's my question....how would I digitize it? EdwardRo You need digitizing hardware: Sonicblaster, AudioAnimator, Hyperstudio, etc. AFL JoyceM I have MDIdeas and HyperStudio. But how do I digitize it....using just one note, like C or what? Remember, I am the beginner here :) EdwardRo Do you have the MDIdeas digitizer, or just the stereo card? Nuzz Usually Middle C does it AFL JoyceM Both, Ed. EdwardRo Just hook the audio out of the synth up to the input of the digitizer. Middle C should be enough, but try a few samples of other notes, and play them all, then save them in the different formats available under your digitizing software. Raw binary form is usually the most useful. If you have Instrument Designer from Pyware, you can load that binary file in and save it as an ASIF file that a number of music programs can read. AFL JoyceM Hmmmmm., don't have instrument designer. Ed, I haven't hooked up the MIDIdeas digitizer since I put in the HyperStudio card....Hyperstudio wouldn't work that way, would it? EdwardRo You might be able to hook the synth up to the same place as the Hyperstudio microphone goes... then, load it into audiozap and save in different form! Nuzz I'd be interested in getting some middle C samples too. AFL JoyceM I have the instructions to hook up the MDIdeas and the HyStudio stuff, just haven't done it. Ah, I do have AudioZap :) EdwardRo You might be able to hook the synth right up to audiozap! AFL JoyceM Oh, I was talking about the program AudioZap...not hardware . AFL JoyceM I will upload the sound so everyone can have it, if and when I get it done..limited time this coming week. EdwardRo Hook synth up to MDIdeas, use audiozap software (I think they're comptible. Nuzz I wonder where the Futuresound guys are EdwardRo Don't hold your breath waiting for 'em, Nuzz! Nuzz I know... AFL JoyceM I will have to give them a call...and see what is happening. EdwardRo Do they still have a number to call? Nuzz Do they still have a phone AFL JoyceM Yep..... EdwardRo do they still have a future? AFL JoyceM Not if they don't upgrade their stuff. EdwardRo Oh well,... Nuzz Well, I'm going to take off. Nite all EdwardRo 'Night, Nuzz! AFL JoyceM Well guys...the ... AFL JoyceM Sorry, was being bothered with Instant messages.... AFL JoyceM Thanks, Ed...will give all that a try. EdwardRo Let me know if any of that works, or if you have problems, etc. AFL JoyceM Thanks....and will get the stuff off to you next week. AFL JoyceM Night... America Online - 1990