March 2000 Archive of Music Software Discussion & Help Page

Music Software Discussion and Help


Archive: March 2000



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What the HELL is a Hardware Sampler?

Im confused here. I just got my Sam Ash music catalog, and I've been eying at some of the hardware samplers, like the Akai SM3000 (i think thats what its called) and what not. Anyway, the only sampler Im aware of is GigaSampler, which is a software based sampler. You load in a .gig file, which can be anything after you convert it and map the regions etc, like a soundfont. But its terribly slow, HUGE latency problems when recording, and its buggy.
So is a Hardware sampler like the Akai (which seem to be very popular) better than Gigasampler? And is it worth the buy?

Also, does anyone have any experience with a Korg Trinity Workstation synth? I played it once at a music store, and it was pretty rad. But for a few months, I've been eying the Trinity due to its ease of use, and I've read some pretty harsh reviews about the Xp-60, not being easy and cumborsome. Anyone have any suggestions on a good, affordable, RELIABLE, synth that has both very realistic sounds, but the ability to add user made samples and KMFDM-like stuff? Alesis? Kurzweil? Korg? Roland? who what when where?

oh yeah, someone here I think said they had a Shure SM-58 microphone or some professional mic hooked up to their SBlive. Can who ever said that PLEASE make a sample of them talking or playing guitar through it? I REALLY am interested in getting one, but I aint gonna get it till I hear what it would sound like before I do (of course I'll need an adapter etc).

1 more thing, anyone know of a forum where you can talk about Synths and samplers and crap like that?

Good Site for you:

I hang out at the Harmony Central Midi Forum. These guys know a lot and deal with a lot of hardware.

Skill level ranges from dolt to pro. Stop by:

http://tremolo.harmony-central.com/HyperNews/get/MIDI.html?outline=-1

Re: What the HELL is a Hardware Sampler?

Don't be confused, it's very simple. Hardward samplers and synth are reliable and do only one job. A computer based anything will always have more problems than their hardware equivalents due to the fact that software is unreliable by nature. It also, more to the point, relies on the computers own hardware which it may not work well with, hardware is designed and dedicated to itself and nothing else. Samplers aren't that expensive for what you get these days and are well worth considering over a software sampler or synth. Software music has it's benefits but anyone who has invested in a Hardware based synth/sampler will know better.

I use a Yamaha EX5R synth/sampler. It can play 128 notes at the same time, has 32mb RAM (from a possible 64mb) for sampling. It's synth offerings are enormous, giving real final results for all types of music. Yamaha also make the A3000 sampler which has qualified for a lot of press. There are other models that offer similar facilities as my unit from other manufacturers but I can't recommend them because I don't know them that well.

A shure SM58 is and has been an industry standard Vocal (primarily) dynamic microphone for many years gone by. You can spot them used almost everywhere and are suprisingly cheap considering. You can't go wrong with a SM58. If however you are serious about recording vocals then you should be advised to spend an awful lot of money on a Studio condensor microphone. The results are much improved although you can be spending hundreds of £($) for that Pro-Sound.

Regards

Steve

Re: What the HELL is a Hardware Sampler?

: Im confused here. I just got my Sam Ash music catalog, and I've been eying at some of the hardware samplers, like the Akai SM3000 (i think thats what its called) and what not. Anyway, the only sampler Im aware of is GigaSampler, which is a software based sampler. You load in a .gig file, which can be anything after you convert it and map the regions etc, like a soundfont. But its terribly slow, HUGE latency problems when recording, and its buggy.
: So is a Hardware sampler like the Akai (which seem to be very popular) better than Gigasampler? And is it worth the buy?

: Also, does anyone have any experience with a Korg Trinity Workstation synth? I played it once at a music store, and it was pretty rad. But for a few months, I've been eying the Trinity due to its ease of use, and I've read some pretty harsh reviews about the Xp-60, not being easy and cumborsome. Anyone have any suggestions on a good, affordable, RELIABLE, synth that has both very realistic sounds, but the ability to add user made samples and KMFDM-like stuff? Alesis? Kurzweil? Korg? Roland? who what when where?

: oh yeah, someone here I think said they had a Shure SM-58 microphone or some professional mic hooked up to their SBlive. Can who ever said that PLEASE make a sample of them talking or playing guitar through it? I REALLY am interested in getting one, but I aint gonna get it till I hear what it would sound like before I do (of course I'll need an adapter etc).

: 1 more thing, anyone know of a forum where you can talk about Synths and samplers and crap like that?

Hardware Samplers are basically the same as Software
Samplers but they are a stand-alone physical unit
which does all the work so it won't slow down your
PC and you don't get latency problems.

You can talk about synths and samplers here but and
over at www.synthzone.com as well.

Alf.

Re: What the HELL is a Hardware Sampler?

so is it better than say Gigasampler? And are they easy to use and worth it to create KMFDM/FLA type stuff?

chords

i NEED A PROGRAM WHICH WILL ANALYZE A MIDI FILE AND INSERT THE APPROPRIATE CHORD NAMES WHERE THEY OCCUR

Re: chords

Hey Jack,
I'm currently using Cubase VST/24 4.1. The score portion of the program has an excellent CHORD FEATURE.

Re: chords

: Hey Jack,
: I'm currently using Cubase VST/24 4.1. The score portion of the program has an excellent CHORD FEATURE.

I believe the last two versions of cakewalk pro included a chord analyser as one of their midi DX plug-ins.For an effective chord analyser though some extensive setting up may be required in order to deal with arpeggiated chords etc.

Cleaning up Harsh-Sounding Streaming Audio

Preface: I collect novelty music. Used to get plenty from the "Dr. Demento Show".

Problem: Few stations carry it anymore

Problem solved: Access streaming-audio Web simulcasts of stations that still play the program, hook radio to earphone jacks on soundcard.

Problem: The low-bitrate audio occasionally sounds harsh. Kind of "electronic-ey" (like the voices of the Transformers robots on their old cartoon)

Are there any applications out there that can eliminate or at least reduce this effect? I envision making .WAV files of the analog recordings, processing them, then re-recording them to cassette (then eventually to CD-R for archivial storage).

Anyone have a solution?

Re: Cleaning up Harsh-Sounding Streaming Audio

get a really sweet sound card

: Problem: The low-bitrate audio occasionally sounds harsh. Kind of "electronic-ey" (like the voices of the Transformers robots on their old cartoon)

: Are there any applications out there that can eliminate or at least reduce this effect? I envision making .WAV files of the analog recordings, processing them, then re-recording them to cassette (then eventually to CD-R for archivial storage).

: Anyone have a solution?

chords

Need a program to read/analyze midi files and insert the various chords at the appropriate locations.

cool96

i need a copy my wife deleted mine someone help it won't happen again cause i cut her fingers off

cool96

My wife didn't deleted anything this time, but I really need a copy of cool96.exe

Tks

Harmony Assistant vs Lime

I'm considering buying either Harmony Assistant or Lime
to do my notation work. Someone give me some advice
as to the relative merits of either or both programs.
Thank you very much.

Dream Station Tunes Needed

Hello There,

I am a lucky owner of Dream Station 1.0,
I am desperately looking for some new songs
made with this nice softsynth with tracker GUI.

If you know some places where they can be downloaded
please let me know at mpilnik@hotmail.com

Thank you in advance.
Marty

Make 'em yourself, that's the fun in owning this gizmo......

...or else download some nice mp3's

No Mp3 Codec Installed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In my Windows isn't any mp3 Codec installed. Wher Can I get one?

CU Jack187

Question on typing Lyrics

When I try to type lyrics or text using the Graphics tool, I get the error message "An error has occurered in your application. If you choose Ignore, you should save your work in a new file. If you choose Close, your applicaiton will terminate. I am able to type score text elements with NO error.

I NEED VISITORS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please visit my site about the Roland JV/XP series.
The site is already online since a few months, but not to many people have visited my site recently.
That's why I posted this message, hoping that this would get me some visitors .
These are some of the things that you can find on my site: GM files, specs, links, a forum, etc ...
There is also a section reserved for patches and songs in the XP sequencer format(SVQ), but they are still empty .
So if you have made patches or "SVQ" songs and you are willing to share them with the world, you can e-mail them to me, and I will make shure you get all the credit you deserve(by adding a link to your site,your e-mail adress and extra info about your patches and/or "SVQ" files).

Thanx ...

Re: I NEED VISITORS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hi!
I'm from russia and I love music. So making a music with svq sounds is my hobby. I'll be very glad to contact with you if you want to change with me some sounds or may be expierence
great recpect
Alex

Re: I NEED VISITORS

hello

Re: I NEED VISITORS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you need visitors, then you must need our web site needvisitors.com

Human Realtime Sync

I need a way to manually drive my sequencer in
real-time to keep time with a "live drummer" during "live" performances. Some years ago I purchased the "Human Clock" by a company called Kahler. This hardware allows the "live" performer to drive the tempo of the sequencer by triggering from the drum "Kick" or a keyboard. Works pretty good but the setup of parameters for each song is the problem. Kahler is no longer in business to my knowledge, and I've been unable to find a newer version of a similar device. Any ideas?

Re: Human Realtime Sync

: I need a way to manually drive my sequencer in
: real-time to keep time with a "live drummer"

Hi,
I happened across your old post in the hitsquad archive. Can I point you to some new software that my company's developed? The InTime Tempo Tracking System does realtime, flexible tempo tracking of any midi instrument, or any acoustic instrument that can have midi triggers added to it. Some of our users use acoustic drummer kits with 2 or 3 midi triggers to drive InTime.

InTime follows both sublte and large tempo chages, with no pre-knowledge of what you're playing other than the startup tempo. You can use it to drive any device that can sync to midi clocks.

For more info, check out www.circular-logic.com.

Cheers,
Michael

Re: Human Realtime Sync

: I need a way to manually drive my sequencer in
: real-time to keep time with a "live drummer" during "live" performances. Some years ago I purchased the "Human Clock" by a company called Kahler. This hardware allows the "live" performer to drive the tempo of the sequencer by triggering from the drum "Kick" or a keyboard. Works pretty good but the setup of parameters for each song is the problem. Kahler is no longer in business to my knowledge, and I've been unable to find a newer version of a similar device. Any ideas?

My sequencer allows me to tap a key along to a tempo and it will work out the tempo from the tapping or work it out beat by beat so the tempo changes as I tapped it. My VS880 HD recorder does this too and I think it may except an Audio tap as well (but i'd have to trawl the manual), I don't know if the Computer Bases sequencer does or not...

Not very helpful you might be thinking but just to plant the seed that it may be a usable function in more hardware/software sequencers than we both think.

Good Luck...

Steve...

sound blaster output

i've got a sound blaster live player and how can i set it up so i can play the left channel of a wave to the front and the right channel to the left
so that i can mix mp3s

ANYONE?? please???????

no1 can help me on this?

MAKING A MIDI CABLE

Please send me some information about MAKING A MIDI
CABLE

Re: MAKING A MIDI CABLE

: Please send me some information about MAKING A MIDI
: CABLE

http://www.colomar.com/Shavano/midi_cable.html
THIS SITE HAS SKEEM FOR MIDI CABLE

Re: MAKING A MIDI CABLE

: Please send me some information about MAKING A MIDI
: CABLE

Re: MAKING A MIDI CABLE

Please send me some information about MAKING A computer MIDI CABLE.

Re: MAKING A MIDI CABLE

Please send me some information about MAKING A coputer MIDI CABLE.

Re: MAKING A MIDI CABLE

: Please send me some information about MAKING A MIDI: DB15M to Din5m

Re: MAKING A MIDI CABLE

: Please send me some information about MAKING A MIDI
: CABLE
How to build a MIDI interface for a Sound Blaster/Sound Blaster Pro:
Probably works with almost any soundcard
The Sound Blaster MIDI port uses two pins from the 15 pin
joystick port. These normally would be redundant +5 volt and
ground lines. In the Sound Blaster, there are called MIDI TXD
(Transmit eXternal Data) and MIDI RXD (Receive eXternal Data).
The signals to and from the Sound Blaster are TTL logic signals.
MIDI uses a current loop interface, so the job of the interface
box is to convert between TTL level signals and the MIDI current
loop.

If you want to use the MIDI interface and the Sound Blaster
joystick interface simultaneously, you can make a simple adapter
by connecting one male and 2 female 15 pin connectors to a short
length of ribbon cable.

SBMIDI1.PCX is a PCX format graphic file of the schematic diagram
of the MIDI connector circuitry. You can use Windows Paintbrush
to view and print the schematic.

For simplicity, the schematics show the MIDI input and output
circuits separately, but they share the +5 volt and ground lines.
(Pins 8 and 5 on the Sound Blaster). The interface uses 4 wire
shielded cable to connect the computer to the interface box and
two 2 wire shielded cables to connect the interface box to the
input and output ports on the MIDI instrument.

The MIDI input port only can connect to one instrument, but the
MIDI Out from the computer could go to up to 5 MIDI instruments.
The schematic diagram only shows one complete MIDI output line.
You can connect up to 4 additional MIDI outputs by adding a
220 resistor (from the +5 volt pin to pin 4 on the MIDI cable)
and a 220 resistor (from the buffer output to pin 5 of the
MIDI plug) for each output. You should also add a 220pf
capacitor between each additional MIDI line and ground.

Construction:
Start with using half of a dual 20 pin IC board, using the first
six pins for the optocoupler and the last fourteen pins for the
hex buffer. Then remove portions of some of the copper lines
on the circuit board with an X-Acto knife, as is shown in the
schematic below. Cut each trace on
both ends first, then remove the copper between the cuts.

RED = Remove BLUE = Marked as remove, but doesn't seem to be needed
Now Turn over, left to right...
BLUE = Link wires GREEN = Small components

Looking at the diagram, I now believe the links from IC2 pin 2 to IC1 pin 3, and IC2 pin 2 to pin 4, to be incorrect. The links IC2 pin 5 to pin 9 and IC2 pin 9 to pin 11 are only required if you intend to use the corresponding outputs - pins 6 and 8. This also explains the additional track cutting
Now on to component installation! Be sure to use rosin core
solder and a low wattage soldering iron. Solder the 20 pin
socket to the center of the board, being careful not to bridge
solder between connections. Then install the other components
in the locations shown in the above schematic. Note that the ringed
end of diode D1 needs to connect to pin1 of the optocoupler.
Be sure to run hookup wires from the ground pin on the optocoupler
(Pin 4) to the ground pin of the hex buffer (Pin 7) and between
pins 11 and 12 on the hex buffer. The remaining hookup wires
are optional for additional MIDI outputs. Notice that both a
resistor and a capacitor must be connected in the same hole for
each MIDI Out. Then connect the 4 conductor shielded cable to
pins 5,8,12 and 15 of the 15 pin plug. Connect the shield to
the metal case of the plug. Connect the other end of the 4 wire
cable to the corresponding locations shown in the above
schematic. Tie the cable shield to the large mounting hole in
the circuit card and connect one end of each of the two connector
shielded cables to pins 4 and 5 of the MIDI plugs. Connect the
shield in the MIDI plugs to pin 2. Mark one cable "MIDI IN" and
the other cable "MIDI OUT". Connect the other end of the cables
tot he corresponding locations on the circuit card. Tie the
shields to mounting holes in the circuit card and connect all
three shields together with a hookup wire. Check the card and
cables to ensure that all connections are correct, file small
notches in the cover of the aluminum box for the cables, and
wrap a piece of heavy paper around the circuit card to prevent
shorting. Your next step is to plug the 15 pin connector into
the Sound Blaster and the MIDI In and Out to the MIDI jacks on
your MIDI instrument.

Testing:
A MIDI port requires software to function. You can test the
input portion of the MIDI interface with the FM Organ program
bundled with the Sound Blaster. With "MIDI Mode" selected,
MIDI Note-On messages will play sounds from the Sound Blaster
card, but only those notes valid for the musical key you have
selected. For example, if you select the key of C, only the
white keys will sound. To test the MIDI Out portion of the
interface, you can use any MIDI sequencer that supports
Sound Blaster. All of Voyetra's sequencers, Cakewalk, and
Trax are examples of some that are available. When you go
shopping for a sequencer, make sure you specify that you have
a Sound Blaster. The Sound Blaster MIDI interface is NOT
Roland MPU-401 compatible! But that's not a major drawback
anymore - Most companies are now supporting the Sound Blaster,
but some have separate versions - One for SB, one for Roland.
There are some ShareWare/DemoWare sequencers available on
the Creative Labs BBS. You can reach them by modem at the
number given at the end of this file.

Parts List:
Resistors: (¼ watt, 1%, metal film) - not that critical, really
R4,R5 220
R1 270
R2 1K
R3 4.7K
Capacitors:
C1,C2 220pF ceramic
Diodes:
D1 1N914 or 1N4148
Integrated Circuits:
IC1 4N35 Optocoupler
IC2 7407 Hex Buffer
IC Sockets:
(IC1) 8 pin
(IC2) 14 pin
Other Components:
1 Dual IC board, Radio Shack part #276-159
1 15 pin male DB-style connector, solder cup
1 Hood for 15 pin DB connector
2 5 pin DIN plugs, 180ø
1 Aluminum project box, approx. 3"x2"x2"
2' of 4 conductor shielded cable
8' of 2 conductor shielded cable
Other info:
Creative Labs, Inc. BBS:
Node 1 & 2 : (408)428-6660 1200/2400
Node 3 : (408)428-6662 9600/14400 v32/v32bis/CSP
Node 4 : (408)428-6664 9600/14400 v32/v32bis/HST
Available on the BBS is a library of MIDI files (.MID) as well
as several ShareWare/DemoWare MIDI applications.

Note: Please do NOT call the Technical Support department of
Creative Labs for help on this - With this file, you have
just as much information as they do! If you don't want to
deal with it, just buy the cable - It costs $24.95 + S&H
direct from Creative Labs. The sales number is (408)428-6600.

Good luck!
Information presented from files obtained via the UK Creative BBS (now defunct), with suitable reformatting into HTML. All information presented is understood to be in the public domain and intended for distribution.
No responsibility accepted for damage or injury resulting from the use of this information - if in doubt, buy it, don't build it! All trademarks acknowledged, particularly CREATIVE, SOUND BLASTER etc. For Creative's web site, go to www.soundblaster.com ... www.creative.com is incorrect, but will offer a courtesy redirection.
A junkroom internet production, built entirely with freeware, cover CD and other legitimate but unpurchased software under Windows 3.1.
Webford 2.01 was used for some parts of the production, and to clean up the conversion of spaces to   by Netscape Composter... I mean Composer... no I don't! This site could look a lot cleaner if I used more advanced code and the background is more of a liability than it's worth.

Re: MAKING A MIDI CABLE

: : Please send me some information about MAKING A MIDI
: : CABLE
: How to build a MIDI interface for a Sound Blaster/Sound Blaster Pro:
: Probably works with almost any soundcard
: The Sound Blaster MIDI port uses two pins from the 15 pin
: joystick port. These normally would be redundant +5 volt and
: ground lines. In the Sound Blaster, there are called MIDI TXD
: (Transmit eXternal Data) and MIDI RXD (Receive eXternal Data).
: The signals to and from the Sound Blaster are TTL logic signals.
: MIDI uses a current loop interface, so the job of the interface
: box is to convert between TTL level signals and the MIDI current
: loop.

: If you want to use the MIDI interface and the Sound Blaster
: joystick interface simultaneously, you can make a simple adapter
: by connecting one male and 2 female 15 pin connectors to a short
: length of ribbon cable.

: SBMIDI1.PCX is a PCX format graphic file of the schematic diagram
: of the MIDI connector circuitry. You can use Windows Paintbrush
: to view and print the schematic.

: For simplicity, the schematics show the MIDI input and output
: circuits separately, but they share the +5 volt and ground lines.
: (Pins 8 and 5 on the Sound Blaster). The interface uses 4 wire
: shielded cable to connect the computer to the interface box and
: two 2 wire shielded cables to connect the interface box to the
: input and output ports on the MIDI instrument.

: The MIDI input port only can connect to one instrument, but the
: MIDI Out from the computer could go to up to 5 MIDI instruments.
: The schematic diagram only shows one complete MIDI output line.
: You can connect up to 4 additional MIDI outputs by adding a
: 220 resistor (from the +5 volt pin to pin 4 on the MIDI cable)
: and a 220 resistor (from the buffer output to pin 5 of the
: MIDI plug) for each output. You should also add a 220pf
: capacitor between each additional MIDI line and ground.

:
: Construction:
: Start with using half of a dual 20 pin IC board, using the first
: six pins for the optocoupler and the last fourteen pins for the
: hex buffer. Then remove portions of some of the copper lines
: on the circuit board with an X-Acto knife, as is shown in the
: schematic below. Cut each trace on
: both ends first, then remove the copper between the cuts.
:
: RED = Remove BLUE = Marked as remove, but doesn't seem to be needed
: Now Turn over, left to right...
: BLUE = Link wires GREEN = Small components

:
: Looking at the diagram, I now believe the links from IC2 pin 2 to IC1 pin 3, and IC2 pin 2 to pin 4, to be incorrect. The links IC2 pin 5 to pin 9 and IC2 pin 9 to pin 11 are only required if you intend to use the corresponding outputs - pins 6 and 8. This also explains the additional track cutting
: Now on to component installation! Be sure to use rosin core
: solder and a low wattage soldering iron. Solder the 20 pin
: socket to the center of the board, being careful not to bridge
: solder between connections. Then install the other components
: in the locations shown in the above schematic. Note that the ringed
: end of diode D1 needs to connect to pin1 of the optocoupler.
: Be sure to run hookup wires from the ground pin on the optocoupler
: (Pin 4) to the ground pin of the hex buffer (Pin 7) and between
: pins 11 and 12 on the hex buffer. The remaining hookup wires
: are optional for additional MIDI outputs. Notice that both a
: resistor and a capacitor must be connected in the same hole for
: each MIDI Out. Then connect the 4 conductor shielded cable to
: pins 5,8,12 and 15 of the 15 pin plug. Connect the shield to
: the metal case of the plug. Connect the other end of the 4 wire
: cable to the corresponding locations shown in the above
: schematic. Tie the cable shield to the large mounting hole in
: the circuit card and connect one end of each of the two connector
: shielded cables to pins 4 and 5 of the MIDI plugs. Connect the
: shield in the MIDI plugs to pin 2. Mark one cable "MIDI IN" and
: the other cable "MIDI OUT". Connect the other end of the cables
: tot he corresponding locations on the circuit card. Tie the
: shields to mounting holes in the circuit card and connect all
: three shields together with a hookup wire. Check the card and
: cables to ensure that all connections are correct, file small
: notches in the cover of the aluminum box for the cables, and
: wrap a piece of heavy paper around the circuit card to prevent
: shorting. Your next step is to plug the 15 pin connector into
: the Sound Blaster and the MIDI In and Out to the MIDI jacks on
: your MIDI instrument.

:
: Testing:
: A MIDI port requires software to function. You can test the
: input portion of the MIDI interface with the FM Organ program
: bundled with the Sound Blaster. With "MIDI Mode" selected,
: MIDI Note-On messages will play sounds from the Sound Blaster
: card, but only those notes valid for the musical key you have
: selected. For example, if you select the key of C, only the
: white keys will sound. To test the MIDI Out portion of the
: interface, you can use any MIDI sequencer that supports
: Sound Blaster. All of Voyetra's sequencers, Cakewalk, and
: Trax are examples of some that are available. When you go
: shopping for a sequencer, make sure you specify that you have
: a Sound Blaster. The Sound Blaster MIDI interface is NOT
: Roland MPU-401 compatible! But that's not a major drawback
: anymore - Most companies are now supporting the Sound Blaster,
: but some have separate versions - One for SB, one for Roland.
: There are some ShareWare/DemoWare sequencers available on
: the Creative Labs BBS. You can reach them by modem at the
: number given at the end of this file.

:
: Parts List:
: Resistors: (¼ watt, 1%, metal film) - not that critical, really
: R4,R5 220
: R1 270
: R2 1K
: R3 4.7K
: Capacitors:
: C1,C2 220pF ceramic
: Diodes:
: D1 1N914 or 1N4148
: Integrated Circuits:
: IC1 4N35 Optocoupler
: IC2 7407 Hex Buffer
: IC Sockets:
: (IC1) 8 pin
: (IC2) 14 pin
: Other Components:
: 1 Dual IC board, Radio Shack part #276-159
: 1 15 pin male DB-style connector, solder cup
: 1 Hood for 15 pin DB connector
: 2 5 pin DIN plugs, 180ø
: 1 Aluminum project box, approx. 3"x2"x2"
: 2' of 4 conductor shielded cable
: 8' of 2 conductor shielded cable
: Other info:
: Creative Labs, Inc. BBS:
: Node 1 & 2 : (408)428-6660 1200/2400
: Node 3 : (408)428-6662 9600/14400 v32/v32bis/CSP
: Node 4 : (408)428-6664 9600/14400 v32/v32bis/HST
: Available on the BBS is a library of MIDI files (.MID) as well
: as several ShareWare/DemoWare MIDI applications.

: Note: Please do NOT call the Technical Support department of
: Creative Labs for help on this - With this file, you have
: just as much information as they do! If you don't want to
: deal with it, just buy the cable - It costs $24.95 + S&H
: direct from Creative Labs. The sales number is (408)428-6600.

: Good luck!
: Information presented from files obtained via the UK Creative BBS (now defunct), with suitable reformatting into HTML. All information presented is understood to be in the public domain and intended for distribution.
: No responsibility accepted for damage or injury resulting from the use of this information - if in doubt, buy it, don't build it! All trademarks acknowledged, particularly CREATIVE, SOUND BLASTER etc. For Creative's web site, go to www.soundblaster.com ... www.creative.com is incorrect, but will offer a courtesy redirection.
: A junkroom internet production, built entirely with freeware, cover CD and other legitimate but unpurchased software under Windows 3.1.
: Webford 2.01 was used for some parts of the production, and to clean up the conversion of spaces to   by Netscape Composter... I mean Composer... no I don't! This site could look a lot cleaner if I used more advanced code and the background is more of a liability than it's worth.

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<a href="http://www.cheaper-computers.com">http://www.cheaper-computers.com</a>

Karl Moore

<a href="http://www.karlmoore.com/">Karl Moore</a>

Re: MAKING A MIDI CABLE

: : Please send me some information about MAKING A MIDI
: : CABLE
: How to build a MIDI interface for a Sound Blaster/Sound Blaster Pro:
: Probably works with almost any soundcard
: The Sound Blaster MIDI port uses two pins from the 15 pin
: joystick port. These normally would be redundant +5 volt and
: ground lines. In the Sound Blaster, there are called MIDI TXD
: (Transmit eXternal Data) and MIDI RXD (Receive eXternal Data).
: The signals to and from the Sound Blaster are TTL logic signals.
: MIDI uses a current loop interface, so the job of the interface
: box is to convert between TTL level signals and the MIDI current
: loop.

: If you want to use the MIDI interface and the Sound Blaster
: joystick interface simultaneously, you can make a simple adapter
: by connecting one male and 2 female 15 pin connectors to a short
: length of ribbon cable.

: SBMIDI1.PCX is a PCX format graphic file of the schematic diagram
: of the MIDI connector circuitry. You can use Windows Paintbrush
: to view and print the schematic.

: For simplicity, the schematics show the MIDI input and output
: circuits separately, but they share the +5 volt and ground lines.
: (Pins 8 and 5 on the Sound Blaster). The interface uses 4 wire
: shielded cable to connect the computer to the interface box and
: two 2 wire shielded cables to connect the interface box to the
: input and output ports on the MIDI instrument.

: The MIDI input port only can connect to one instrument, but the
: MIDI Out from the computer could go to up to 5 MIDI instruments.
: The schematic diagram only shows one complete MIDI output line.
: You can connect up to 4 additional MIDI outputs by adding a
: 220 resistor (from the +5 volt pin to pin 4 on the MIDI cable)
: and a 220 resistor (from the buffer output to pin 5 of the
: MIDI plug) for each output. You should also add a 220pf
: capacitor between each additional MIDI line and ground.

:
: Construction:
: Start with using half of a dual 20 pin IC board, using the first
: six pins for the optocoupler and the last fourteen pins for the
: hex buffer. Then remove portions of some of the copper lines
: on the circuit board with an X-Acto knife, as is shown in the
: schematic below. Cut each trace on
: both ends first, then remove the copper between the cuts.
:
: RED = Remove BLUE = Marked as remove, but doesn't seem to be needed
: Now Turn over, left to right...
: BLUE = Link wires GREEN = Small components

:
: Looking at the diagram, I now believe the links from IC2 pin 2 to IC1 pin 3, and IC2 pin 2 to pin 4, to be incorrect. The links IC2 pin 5 to pin 9 and IC2 pin 9 to pin 11 are only required if you intend to use the corresponding outputs - pins 6 and 8. This also explains the additional track cutting
: Now on to component installation! Be sure to use rosin core
: solder and a low wattage soldering iron. Solder the 20 pin
: socket to the center of the board, being careful not to bridge
: solder between connections. Then install the other components
: in the locations shown in the above schematic. Note that the ringed
: end of diode D1 needs to connect to pin1 of the optocoupler.
: Be sure to run hookup wires from the ground pin on the optocoupler
: (Pin 4) to the ground pin of the hex buffer (Pin 7) and between
: pins 11 and 12 on the hex buffer. The remaining hookup wires
: are optional for additional MIDI outputs. Notice that both a
: resistor and a capacitor must be connected in the same hole for
: each MIDI Out. Then connect the 4 conductor shielded cable to
: pins 5,8,12 and 15 of the 15 pin plug. Connect the shield to
: the metal case of the plug. Connect the other end of the 4 wire
: cable to the corresponding locations shown in the above
: schematic. Tie the cable shield to the large mounting hole in
: the circuit card and connect one end of each of the two connector
: shielded cables to pins 4 and 5 of the MIDI plugs. Connect the
: shield in the MIDI plugs to pin 2. Mark one cable "MIDI IN" and
: the other cable "MIDI OUT". Connect the other end of the cables
: tot he corresponding locations on the circuit card. Tie the
: shields to mounting holes in the circuit card and connect all
: three shields together with a hookup wire. Check the card and
: cables to ensure that all connections are correct, file small
: notches in the cover of the aluminum box for the cables, and
: wrap a piece of heavy paper around the circuit card to prevent
: shorting. Your next step is to plug the 15 pin connector into
: the Sound Blaster and the MIDI In and Out to the MIDI jacks on
: your MIDI instrument.

:
: Testing:
: A MIDI port requires software to function. You can test the
: input portion of the MIDI interface with the FM Organ program
: bundled with the Sound Blaster. With "MIDI Mode" selected,
: MIDI Note-On messages will play sounds from the Sound Blaster
: card, but only those notes valid for the musical key you have
: selected. For example, if you select the key of C, only the
: white keys will sound. To test the MIDI Out portion of the
: interface, you can use any MIDI sequencer that supports
: Sound Blaster. All of Voyetra's sequencers, Cakewalk, and
: Trax are examples of some that are available. When you go
: shopping for a sequencer, make sure you specify that you have
: a Sound Blaster. The Sound Blaster MIDI interface is NOT
: Roland MPU-401 compatible! But that's not a major drawback
: anymore - Most companies are now supporting the Sound Blaster,
: but some have separate versions - One for SB, one for Roland.
: There are some ShareWare/DemoWare sequencers available on
: the Creative Labs BBS. You can reach them by modem at the
: number given at the end of this file.

:
: Parts List:
: Resistors: (¼ watt, 1%, metal film) - not that critical, really
: R4,R5 220
: R1 270
: R2 1K
: R3 4.7K
: Capacitors:
: C1,C2 220pF ceramic
: Diodes:
: D1 1N914 or 1N4148
: Integrated Circuits:
: IC1 4N35 Optocoupler
: IC2 7407 Hex Buffer
: IC Sockets:
: (IC1) 8 pin
: (IC2) 14 pin
: Other Components:
: 1 Dual IC board, Radio Shack part #276-159
: 1 15 pin male DB-style connector, solder cup
: 1 Hood for 15 pin DB connector
: 2 5 pin DIN plugs, 180ø
: 1 Aluminum project box, approx. 3"x2"x2"
: 2' of 4 conductor shielded cable
: 8' of 2 conductor shielded cable
: Other info:
: Creative Labs, Inc. BBS:
: Node 1 & 2 : (408)428-6660 1200/2400
: Node 3 : (408)428-6662 9600/14400 v32/v32bis/CSP
: Node 4 : (408)428-6664 9600/14400 v32/v32bis/HST
: Available on the BBS is a library of MIDI files (.MID) as well
: as several ShareWare/DemoWare MIDI applications.

: Note: Please do NOT call the Technical Support department of
: Creative Labs for help on this - With this file, you have
: just as much information as they do! If you don't want to
: deal with it, just buy the cable - It costs $24.95 + S&H
: direct from Creative Labs. The sales number is (408)428-6600.

: Good luck!
: Information presented from files obtained via the UK Creative BBS (now defunct), with suitable reformatting into HTML. All information presented is understood to be in the public domain and intended for distribution.
: No responsibility accepted for damage or injury resulting from the use of this information - if in doubt, buy it, don't build it! All trademarks acknowledged, particularly CREATIVE, SOUND BLASTER etc. For Creative's web site, go to www.soundblaster.com ... www.creative.com is incorrect, but will offer a courtesy redirection.
: A junkroom internet production, built entirely with freeware, cover CD and other legitimate but unpurchased software under Windows 3.1.
: Webford 2.01 was used for some parts of the production, and to clean up the conversion of spaces to   by Netscape Composter... I mean Composer... no I don't! This site could look a lot cleaner if I used more advanced code and the background is more of a liability than it's worth.

Re: MAKING A MIDI CABLE

: : Please send me some information about MAKING A MIDI
: : CABLE
: How to build a MIDI interface for a Sound Blaster/Sound Blaster Pro:
: Probably works with almost any soundcard
: The Sound Blaster MIDI port uses two pins from the 15 pin
: joystick port. These normally would be redundant +5 volt and
: ground lines. In the Sound Blaster, there are called MIDI TXD
: (Transmit eXternal Data) and MIDI RXD (Receive eXternal Data).
: The signals to and from the Sound Blaster are TTL logic signals.
: MIDI uses a current loop interface, so the job of the interface
: box is to convert between TTL level signals and the MIDI current
: loop.

: If you want to use the MIDI interface and the Sound Blaster
: joystick interface simultaneously, you can make a simple adapter
: by connecting one male and 2 female 15 pin connectors to a short
: length of ribbon cable.

: SBMIDI1.PCX is a PCX format graphic file of the schematic diagram
: of the MIDI connector circuitry. You can use Windows Paintbrush
: to view and print the schematic.

: For simplicity, the schematics show the MIDI input and output
: circuits separately, but they share the +5 volt and ground lines.
: (Pins 8 and 5 on the Sound Blaster). The interface uses 4 wire
: shielded cable to connect the computer to the interface box and
: two 2 wire shielded cables to connect the interface box to the
: input and output ports on the MIDI instrument.

: The MIDI input port only can connect to one instrument, but the
: MIDI Out from the computer could go to up to 5 MIDI instruments.
: The schematic diagram only shows one complete MIDI output line.
: You can connect up to 4 additional MIDI outputs by adding a
: 220 resistor (from the +5 volt pin to pin 4 on the MIDI cable)
: and a 220 resistor (from the buffer output to pin 5 of the
: MIDI plug) for each output. You should also add a 220pf
: capacitor between each additional MIDI line and ground.

:
: Construction:
: Start with using half of a dual 20 pin IC board, using the first
: six pins for the optocoupler and the last fourteen pins for the
: hex buffer. Then remove portions of some of the copper lines
: on the circuit board with an X-Acto knife, as is shown in the
: schematic below. Cut each trace on
: both ends first, then remove the copper between the cuts.
:
: RED = Remove BLUE = Marked as remove, but doesn't seem to be needed
: Now Turn over, left to right...
: BLUE = Link wires GREEN = Small components

:
: Looking at the diagram, I now believe the links from IC2 pin 2 to IC1 pin 3, and IC2 pin 2 to pin 4, to be incorrect. The links IC2 pin 5 to pin 9 and IC2 pin 9 to pin 11 are only required if you intend to use the corresponding outputs - pins 6 and 8. This also explains the additional track cutting
: Now on to component installation! Be sure to use rosin core
: solder and a low wattage soldering iron. Solder the 20 pin
: socket to the center of the board, being careful not to bridge
: solder between connections. Then install the other components
: in the locations shown in the above schematic. Note that the ringed
: end of diode D1 needs to connect to pin1 of the optocoupler.
: Be sure to run hookup wires from the ground pin on the optocoupler
: (Pin 4) to the ground pin of the hex buffer (Pin 7) and between
: pins 11 and 12 on the hex buffer. The remaining hookup wires
: are optional for additional MIDI outputs. Notice that both a
: resistor and a capacitor must be connected in the same hole for
: each MIDI Out. Then connect the 4 conductor shielded cable to
: pins 5,8,12 and 15 of the 15 pin plug. Connect the shield to
: the metal case of the plug. Connect the other end of the 4 wire
: cable to the corresponding locations shown in the above
: schematic. Tie the cable shield to the large mounting hole in
: the circuit card and connect one end of each of the two connector
: shielded cables to pins 4 and 5 of the MIDI plugs. Connect the
: shield in the MIDI plugs to pin 2. Mark one cable "MIDI IN" and
: the other cable "MIDI OUT". Connect the other end of the cables
: tot he corresponding locations on the circuit card. Tie the
: shields to mounting holes in the circuit card and connect all
: three shields together with a hookup wire. Check the card and
: cables to ensure that all connections are correct, file small
: notches in the cover of the aluminum box for the cables, and
: wrap a piece of heavy paper around the circuit card to prevent
: shorting. Your next step is to plug the 15 pin connector into
: the Sound Blaster and the MIDI In and Out to the MIDI jacks on
: your MIDI instrument.

:
: Testing:
: A MIDI port requires software to function. You can test the
: input portion of the MIDI interface with the FM Organ program
: bundled with the Sound Blaster. With "MIDI Mode" selected,
: MIDI Note-On messages will play sounds from the Sound Blaster
: card, but only those notes valid for the musical key you have
: selected. For example, if you select the key of C, only the
: white keys will sound. To test the MIDI Out portion of the
: interface, you can use any MIDI sequencer that supports
: Sound Blaster. All of Voyetra's sequencers, Cakewalk, and
: Trax are examples of some that are available. When you go
: shopping for a sequencer, make sure you specify that you have
: a Sound Blaster. The Sound Blaster MIDI interface is NOT
: Roland MPU-401 compatible! But that's not a major drawback
: anymore - Most companies are now supporting the Sound Blaster,
: but some have separate versions - One for SB, one for Roland.
: There are some ShareWare/DemoWare sequencers available on
: the Creative Labs BBS. You can reach them by modem at the
: number given at the end of this file.

:
: Parts List:
: Resistors: (¼ watt, 1%, metal film) - not that critical, really
: R4,R5 220
: R1 270
: R2 1K
: R3 4.7K
: Capacitors:
: C1,C2 220pF ceramic
: Diodes:
: D1 1N914 or 1N4148
: Integrated Circuits:
: IC1 4N35 Optocoupler
: IC2 7407 Hex Buffer
: IC Sockets:
: (IC1) 8 pin
: (IC2) 14 pin
: Other Components:
: 1 Dual IC board, Radio Shack part #276-159
: 1 15 pin male DB-style connector, solder cup
: 1 Hood for 15 pin DB connector
: 2 5 pin DIN plugs, 180ø
: 1 Aluminum project box, approx. 3"x2"x2"
: 2' of 4 conductor shielded cable
: 8' of 2 conductor shielded cable
: Other info:
: Creative Labs, Inc. BBS:
: Node 1 & 2 : (408)428-6660 1200/2400
: Node 3 : (408)428-6662 9600/14400 v32/v32bis/CSP
: Node 4 : (408)428-6664 9600/14400 v32/v32bis/HST
: Available on the BBS is a library of MIDI files (.MID) as well
: as several ShareWare/DemoWare MIDI applications.

: Note: Please do NOT call the Technical Support department of
: Creative Labs for help on this - With this file, you have
: just as much information as they do! If you don't want to
: deal with it, just buy the cable - It costs $24.95 + S&H
: direct from Creative Labs. The sales number is (408)428-6600.

: Good luck!
: Information presented from files obtained via the UK Creative BBS (now defunct), with suitable reformatting into HTML. All information presented is understood to be in the public domain and intended for distribution.
: No responsibility accepted for damage or injury resulting from the use of this information - if in doubt, buy it, don't build it! All trademarks acknowledged, particularly CREATIVE, SOUND BLASTER etc. For Creative's web site, go to www.soundblaster.com ... www.creative.com is incorrect, but will offer a courtesy redirection.
: A junkroom internet production, built entirely with freeware, cover CD and other legitimate but unpurchased software under Windows 3.1.
: Webford 2.01 was used for some parts of the production, and to clean up the conversion of spaces to   by Netscape Composter... I mean Composer... no I don't! This site could look a lot cleaner if I used more advanced code and the background is more of a liability than it's worth.

Cheaper Affordable Computers and Parts

Check out these sizzling computer bargains.

Desktop computers, laptops/notebooks as well as many components and parts.

Specials include complete systems, memory, hard drives, motherboards, CRT moniters, Web Cams, printers, programs, DVD burners, USB MP3 players, wireless, memory sticks, video cards, digital cameras to name a few.

The list goes on and the prices come down.

Interested in building your own computer system? Then insist on quality affordable components with a great backup service.

We offer the Best Computer Deals Anywhere - And same day shipping - worldwide.

<a href="http://www.cheaper-computers.com">http://www.cheaper-computers.com</a>

Karl Moore

<a href="http://www.karlmoore.com/">Karl Moore</a>

Re: MAKING A MIDI CABLE

: Please send me some information about MAKING A MIDI
: CABLE

You require 2X (5) pin sockets
a length of sheilded (2) core hookup wire
e.g cut up an old hi-fi audio lead

There a 5 pins on a din plug marked 1,2,3,4,5
on the back of the plug behind each pin

connect pins 4->4 / 2->2 ( sheild on the cable)
5-> 5 <<<<< pins 1&3 are not to be connected >>

Best wishes Pete !

more info can be found on the net ..search for

<< midi cable specifications >>>>

Too Much Bass

Hello, we just did a recording of our band, and the bass drum picked up too much bass. I had the treble on the mixer way up, but I think the bass drum's bass signal was too overpowering.

Is there a way to convert the low end bass signals to treble signals? So that instead of a ton of bass, I can have a balance of that cutting "snap"-type bass drum sound, with the existing bass signals? EQs won't work simply because you can't boost treble signals that aren't there... and the drums were mixed all together into the recording device, so I can't isolate the bass drum... is there a way to pick out and manipulate only the bass drum signal? Thanks.

Please e-mail me at bennyh@uclink4.berkeley.edu

Don't boost treble.

Just filter the bass or low-cut it.

Use a steep slope, and set the filter to cut anything/everything below 50 or 60Hz.

Special foam can be used to trap bass in a reverberant room,
but for the most part you can probably just record your instruments seperately, (to eliminate mic bleed)
and cut out the unwanted stuff.

Have fun.

Microphones

Your question requires so many questions to be answered before a proper answer can be given to you (If you know what I mean...). The problem could be mainly to do with the room your recording in, the microphones and 'placement', the position of the instruments (amps etc.) the volumes of the instruments. Are you multi tracking? how many microphones do you have?

If I were you i'd section off the room and try and isolate individual signals by miking amps etc... Even if you can't multitrack it you can still improve the balance of the mix vs room down to 2 track. Listen to the mix in a different room, set up some monitors and the Recording device in another room for recording and playback... Compress the 2 track mix you like, it's standard practice and improves the listening of most recorded music...(opinion...)

If you really don't want to make a meal of it and want to do it on the cheap then get yourself a couple of PZM microphones (Boundary mics). Shure make them still I think and Tandys (Radio Shack) sell their own PZM that is excellent value for money. Boundary mics are mounted on a flat plate and you attach them to the wall. They give the effect of repressing room and are well suited to a cheap recording that sounds good. Mount them on the same wall a good distance apart and play at them as you would an audience...

Regards

Steve...

(*the next bit has been written for the benefit of people reading this other than you because it's a good PZM tip)

If you do go this route and buy some tandy PZM's then note that the inline battery is usually 1.5volts but the common thing is to attach a 9volt battery instead as it improves the sound quality of the Mic. I shouldn't say that really but I have a PZM that has always been used with a 9volt PP3. I've had it about 11 years and it's still fine. It's only a tip though, you break it, you fix it!!

Re: Microphones

: I can not get the mic on my pc to work. The headset works and I can not find anywhere that it is muted please help

Re: Too Much Bass

right dude,

try using a pair of akg capacitor mics in a coenciding pair at the front to the band when recording live
as it will pickup all the drums and not need micing seperatly.

smile.

and bassists rule!!!!

Conv. .Avi File To .MPEG File ?

Need For Conv. .Avi File To .MPEG File ?

Need help with Finale 98

Hi,

Does anyone know how, in Finale 98 for Windows,
to create measures in 7/8 or 5/8 in which the 8th note
groupings are in 3+2+2 or 3+2, rather than isolated
eighth notes?

Thanks
Jenny

NEED A MIDI TO WAV CONVERTER

Can anyone assist me in finding a MIDI to WAV converter. Please give URL on where to find or where I can ask for more information.

Thanks in advance