CompuServe Thread

Music/Graphics/Video

6 messages in this thread
#15608From: R. Eric WhikehartFeb 2, 1992 1:02 PM
I have and Amiga 3000 with an AT Bridgeboard. I also have a Roland U-20 which I just bought. My problem is that I haven't yet started to put the two together and I'm wondering if it doesn't make more sense to sell my Amiga system and switch to a Mac or IBM platform before getting in too deep. Especially with the bridgeboard in (and a 2 Meg card) there isn't much room for expansion in the 3000. I think I want the bridgeboard in because I may want to pass info. from IBM software. Basically, the kind of thing I want to be doing is controlling graphics (and possibly video) in real time based on synthesized music and/or info. from analog devices (e.g. biofeedback)— a "color organ" sort of arrangement. Of course, I would also like to have the kind of musical possibilities offered by music software such as "Bars and Pipes". Any and all help/comments would be appreciated.
#15632From: Steve Bennett/SYSOPFeb 2, 1992 11:20 PM
Help? Not very much. Since you already have the 3000 system and Bridgeboard I'd say stick with it. I'm not certain what sort of expansion you would want (or need) to do, offhand. You can gain a slot by expanding memory directly on the motherboard instead of using an expansion card (And the memory on the motherboard will run faster as an extra bonus…). As far as whether an IBM would be more suited to your task, remember that IBM graphics are SLOW. In fact, the only reason they even approach reasonable speeds nowadays is because of brute processor force. While it might be possible to accomplish what you're talking about on them, it's certainly not going to be harder to do the same on your existing setup, and probably will be easier. The other side being the input, I have no ideas which could handle it better. I'm not sure what you mean by "getting in too deep", also. Is there other hardware/software you expect to need for this that you don't already have? –>Steve Bennett
#15633From: Eric AndersonFeb 3, 1992 12:29 AM
Golly. I'm interested too (all people named Eric have the same point of view), as I have a Roland U-(2)20 and an A3000 that I want to 'do things with'. So far, I've managed to acquire a Midi interface, easily, and play music into a simple sequencer (Tiger Cub). I fear I'll have to write a patch editor for the sound module, but that might be a lot of fun. Note: no matter what, you're not likely to need more internal expansion capability — the Midi interface goes through the serial port and everything else is in software or built-in Amy hardware…. (Sysop-person: please feel free to move this thread somewhere….) — Eric A.
#15679From: R. Eric WhikehartFeb 4, 1992 10:24 PM
Sounds like we should stay in touch. How did you decide on a particular MIDI interface?
#15639From: Bill ThompsonFeb 3, 1992 10:57 AM
IMHO, you are not going to find the flexibility of Bars&Pipes in many other packages on any other platform. Max for the MAC is impressive, but I don't think it is as complete, course I haven;t lived with MAX, and I use B&P daily! As for choice of platform, a couple of years back even I would have suggested moving, the pickings were slim! Today there is enough quality software to run a commercial studio. Dr.T's has Copyist, KCS, X-Or, M, Music Mouse, and ton's of editors. I do have Copyist and KCS, I use Copyist, M, and Music Mouse, I don't use KCS much. Blue Ribbon has Bars&Pipes Pro ( could be the best sequencer on any computer platform!) and SuperJam, and I like them both. I haven't done much with Jam, but I use B&P daily, and really like the way it lets me work! dissidents sells MIDI SampleWrench, which is probably one of the best visual editors around on any platform. I couldn't live without it! SoundQuest has the MIDIQuest universal editor/librarian, and a bunch of dedicated editors. MIDIQuest is like part of the OS to me. I use it to organize, store, and control all of my synths! There is also some support for digital audio, but it is weak at this point. If that is a requirement then you might still be better off on a MAC, PC, or Atari. I have waited this long, so I plan on giving it a little more time. If the digital audio connection makes it, then I will definately be far ahead of the game. Time will tell… ..Bill 😉
#15680From: R. Eric WhikehartFeb 4, 1992 10:27 PM
Thanks for the input.