#MusicXsynth
12 messages in this thread
Say folks, I've been scooting around CIS looking for some information about
sound modules for my studio, and I am finding it difficult to get any
satisfying answers to my queries. It is an issue of not knowing where to
look, I suppose. My quest is this: I have really learned how to get
around in MusicX which is driving several Casios and a Vocalizer (from the
JC Penney catalog for $150.00 !!). I like MusicX alot but now I would like
to get a decent (actually a GREAT) sounding keyboard, but I want to make
SURE that it will work well with MusicX. MicroIllusions hasn't responded
and I am wondering whether they are bound by some sort of industrial credo
to not endorse any particular machine. Is there anyone around who has a
particularly nice relationship with a key board and MusicX out there who
might comment? I have visited the CIS midi forum, but I havn't found out
much there either.
Thanks JL
I just bought a EMU proteus module for $695 that I'm VERY pleased with. It
doesn't have a keyboard. I'd check out the roland D-10 and some of the Korg
synths as well. I wouldn't be too concerned with Music-x compatibility as
regards editing functions. Any synth will work with the sequencer part of
Music -x, and separate editor/librarians (like Dr T's) aren't that
expensive.
James,
Since MIDI is a fairly universal format, any synth you use will
'work' with MusicX. I run MusicX myself with a Roland RD-300 piano, a Korg
DW-8000 and a Roland MT-32. The only thing you may have problems with is
finding out protocols for the Librarian section. Myself, I don't use the
thing because I have an editor/librarian program for the other synths. So
basically you're just looking for a synth module to sound great, right?
There's lots out there. I've got my eye on the Korg M3R, which you might
want to check out for yourself. Hope this helps…
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Can someone explain what an editor/librarian is and why it isn't part of a
usual sequencer system (like Music-X)? Why can't much (if not all) of an
editor/librarian be handled by capturing the system exclusive data of a
MIDI device?
Also, can you tell me about the Roland MT-32? What its features are? Its
not a keyboard, but a MIDI module, right?
David
David,
An editor/librarian is a program (or module) that allows you to change
(editor) the sounds in your synthesizer from the defaults and manipulate
them (librarian). This, of course, assumes that you have a synthesizer that
allows modifying the sounds for editing, and uploading/downloading them for
the librarian functions. Most inexpensive synthesizers do not allow this,
while the moderately priced to expensive ones generally do.
>> "Why can't much (if not all) of an editor/librarian be handled by
capturing the system exclusive data of a MIDI device?"
Answer: that's just what an editor/librarian does. The advantage is that
the editor/librarian program provides the protocol support, file system
support, and meaningful user interface (hopefully 😉 that a raw data dump
does not. Also, supplied MIDI SysEx documentation has not been well known
for it's completeness and/or accuracy. Generally, a commercial program has
those little gotcha's worked out of it.
The Roland MT-32 is a Linear Arithmetic Multi-Timbral sound module, which
32 partials total. These 32 partials are assigned "on-the-fly" to provide
up to 8 separate, simultaneous sounding notes, plus a rhythm channel. The
way this works is that a complex sound might require 8 of the 32 partials
to generate a single note. A simpler sound might require 4 partials. Since
the maximum number of partials available is 32, you would be limited to 4
simultaneous notes of the 8 partial sound, but could have 8 simultaneous
notes of the 4 partial sound. The MT-32 responds to MIDI channels 2-9
(default) for the possibility of 8 different instruments, with channel 10
being the Rhythm channel. It is a sound module only – it does not have any
keyboard.
I heard one time that it was the single most popular piece of MIDI gear
ever sold. I'm not certain whether that's true, but, there definietly are
a lot of them in the field. Many, but not all, MT-32's have been known to
have a slight hum, which shows up on critical recordings. The hum, if
[ MORE ]
I heard that the massive popularity of the MT-32 was largely due to people
with IBM PC's buying them to work with the newer Sierra games. There was
a point where Roland could hardly make the aging module fast enough and
they were hard to get, when the Sierra MIDI games came out. (The type
of sales figures for IBM Sierra games are unheard of for *any* synth!).
– kn
Ken,
I wish that Sierra would provide MIDI sound tracks to some of their Amiga
products as well. That certainly would help explain the popularity,
although considering it's vintage and versatility, the MT-32 was a great
value. There's quite a bit of good sounding competition available now,
though. 8)
David
Their recent release, Conquest of Camelot, makes specific mention that
while they don't have a MIDI sound module for the Amiga out yet, the
program still asks which module to use because they intend to supply one in
the future. I've noticed a similar selection in the install for Space
Quest III and Leisure Suit Larry III, so I suspect when the MIDI support
module is released, it will work on all recently released Sierra games.
(Hopefully it will be soon, and hopefully they'll have a "generic" MIDI
module which you can configure for your instrument…)
–>Steve Bennett
Actually, the MT-32 was quite popular before Sierra's games used them. The
Sierra deal probably pushed MT-32 sales sky-high though.
[ continuation ]
present, is usually not a problem for live work – i.e. if you just want to
listen to your Amiga play music through a set of speakers, it probably
won't be a problem. The D-110 sound module is a rack mount synthesizer
that is similar in capabilities, has lower noise, more front panel control,
and has separate outputs. Roland also has advertised the CM-32L (which
seems to be an enhanced MT-32 w/o front panel display or buttons), the
CM-32P (which is a PCM box with similar functionality) and the CM-64 (which
seems to be a combination of the CM-32L and CM-32P). (I'm not certain of
the availability of these models, since I've never actually seen them in a
store.) Be certain to audition whatever sound module you buy, since the
different methods of synthesis have distinct qualities.
Interesting that you should mention Music-X in your message. Music-X
happens to be one of the only packages that does include a generic
editor/librarian, a protocol editor, and D50, TX81Z and DX100 patch editors
as standard equipment. MI has promised additional editors to be
forthcoming as an extra, but so far, none have surfaced. There's a lot of
things that I like about Music-X, so I hope that the new release and
accessories show up soon.
Hope this helps. 8)
David
James,
If it's any help to you, every time that I've seen Music-X demonstrated by
MI at a show, they've used a Roland D-50 with it.
I agree with the others who've recommended not to buy a keyboard just to go
with a program, but if you like the D-50 sound you might consider it.
Hope this helps. 8)
David