Ordering Instructions/Order Form
Ordering Instructions

You can register all Jeff Cazel MIDI programs with the attached order form.  Read these instructions and then click on the words "Print Order Form" below.

Registered users can access the enhanced features of and download free updates to the program(s).  And finally, your "please register" screen will go away.

You must register a program to legally continue to use it.  However, as shown on the order form, buying the disk and manual are optional.

Print Order Form        View Order Form

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

CompuServe users can register CanvasMan online.  The charge for the program will show up on your next CompuServe billing statement.  Type GO CIS:SWREG <Enter> and follow the instructions.  CanvasMan's registration ID is #660.


Order Form
Print this form, fill it in and send your check or money order payable in US dollars to:

Jeff Cazel

13265 SW Cottontail

Beaverton, OR  97005   USA

Your Name:	_________________________________________________________

Address:	_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

City/State/ZIP:	_________________________________________________________

Country:	_________________________________________________________

Quantity	    Shareware Registration (does not include Disk and Manual)	Each	    Total

_______	CANVASMAN 4.3 (Windows 3.1 GS Editor/Librarian)	$59	_______

_______	SONGCANVAS 3.2 (DOS GS Editor/Librarian)	$49	_______

_______	CANVASMAN (for registered SONGCANVAS users)	$29	_______

_______	Both CANVASMAN and SONGCANVAS	$69	_______

_______	RHODES WARRIOR (DOS MK-80 Editor/Librarian)	$39	_______

    Disk and Manual (optional)	(  X size:	5¼"	3½"	)

_______	CANVASMAN	O	O	$10	_______

_______	SONGCANVAS	O	O	$10	_______

_______	RHODES WARRIOR	O	O	$10	_______

Foreign orders please add $10 for shipping if ordering one or more manuals:	$10	_______

Grand Total Enclosed	_________

Send your check or money order payable in US dollars.  Thank  you!

November 1993

Where did you get your shareware copy and what improvements would you like?  Please be as specific as possible:

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

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Technical Support

How to Contact Me

The fastest way to contact me is via a message on CompuServe.  I scan the Windows section in the MIDIFORUM at least daily unless I'm on vacation.  You can reach me there or through private electronic mail at address 72461,3345.  You can also call me at 503-524-4284 (please, only between 8pm and 10:30pm Pacific Time on Wednesday nights).  Finally, you can send me US Mail at 13265 SW Cottontail Lane  Beaverton, OR  97005 USA.

If you have problems with CanvasMan, please note the versions for the program itself and the supplemental MIDILIB.DLL and JJCMIDI.DLL.  This information displays on the About screen.


Updates to JJC Programs
Getting Updates to JJC MIDI Programs

Overview

Registered users of the Rhodes Warrior, the SongCanvas, and/or CanvasMan are always entitled to use the latest version of the program they registered.  Though you can always order a disk and manual via the order form, the fastest way to get a current version is to download it from CompuServe or other bulletin board.  A list of 'official' bulletin boards follows; they are so deemed because I know they have current versions.

CompuServe

As mentioned in Technical Support, the CompuServe Information Service is the official support forum for JJC MIDI programs.  New versions will arrive here first.  All programs are in the MIDIFORUM (type GO CIS:MIDIFORUM at any ! prompt).  The Rhodes Warrior and the SongCanvas are in library 7 (DOS) as RHODES.ZIP and SNGCVS.ZIP, respectively.  CanvasMan is CANVAS.ZIP in library 11 (Windows).

Official Bulletin Boards

In addition to CompuServe, several bulletin board systems (BBSs) also carry my MIDI programs.  Since these BBSs do not have CompuServe's six-character filename limit, the file names should be the same as those on CompuServe plus the version number.  For example, version 4.3 of CanvasMan is CANVAS43.ZIP.  Similarly, version 3.2 of the SongCanvas is SNGCVS32.ZIP.  Note that I've used PKZIP 2.0 to archive the programs.  Also note that I've used PKZIP's authenticity verification feature; if you do not see  Authentic files Verified!  #VHI634  Jeff Cazel  upon unzipping, please ask your BBS operator to be sure to use the original ZIP files that have a better chance of being virus-free.

As of this writing, these BBSs have CanvasMan 4.3 and the SongCanvas 3.2:

Name	Location	Access #

MidiIt	Portland, OR	503-761-9600

MusicCool	Seattle, WA	206-248-9453

Power Windows	Huntsville, AL	205-881-8619

RAIN	Portland, OR	503-695-3250

Sound Management	Mundelein, IL	708-949-6434

In addition, most BBS software has a "keyword" search of some kind.  You should be able to search for "CanvasMan", "SongCanvas", "Canvas", etc. and find if the programs are there.


Legal Information

Shareware / Ordering Information

CanvasMan is not a free program--it is shareware.  The shareware concept allows you to evaluate a program to determine what it's worth to you, and then buy it if you are going to use it.  If you still use it after three weeks, register ("buy") CanvasMan by sending me $59 US.  If you don't think CanvasMan is worth it, please let me know why--I'll see if I can satisfy you with the next version.

Registered users can access the enhanced features of the program and download free updates to future shareware versions of CanvasMan.

Online help contains a ready-to-print Order Form.  The Order Form also explains how CompuServe users can register online.

More Legal Stuff

CanvasMan is a copyrighted program--you may not change it in any way.  The official CANVAS.ZIP archive displays Authentic files Verified!  #VHI634  Jeff Cazel above your DOS prompt upon dearchiving--be sure to look for it!  You may freely distribute CanvasMan (please do so!) as long as you include the unmodified CANVAS.ZIP and you charge no money except for a maximum copying fee of $10 US.

Jeff Cazel MIDI hereby disclaims any and all warranties relating to this software and documentation both express and implied, including any merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.  Jeff Cazel MIDI will not be liable for any incidental, consequential, indirect or similar damages due to loss of data or any other reason.  The person using the software bears all risk as to the quality and performance of the software.

Upon registering, you will receive a letter with your personal Registration Information.  Jeff Cazel MIDI strictly prohibits you from giving this Registration Information to anyone in any format whatsoever.  Distributing this information--on paper or electronically--voids your license.

Brands, companies and product names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.  The mentioning of these names is meant solely for identification purposes and is in no way meant to constitute an endorsement of Jeff Cazel MIDI or our products by these companies.

Jeff Cazel MIDI has made every effort to ensure that CanvasMan is as clean and free of bugs as possible.  However, no program can ever be guaranteed to be free of all defects.

CanvasMan, SongCanvas, and the sunglassed Beethoven are trademarks of Jeff Cazel.


Table of Contents
Table of Contents Introduction (READ ME!) What's New? Thanks Main Window / Menu / Toolbar Setup MIDI Ports MIDI Multitasking Technical Support Files Included Command-Line Options	CANVASMAN 4.4 Copyright © Jeff Cazel, 1992-1994 All Rights Reserved


What's New?

	This section summarizes the changes to CANVASMAN in each release.  Early releases show highlights only.  Future enhancements (subject to change without notice) display at the very end. Be sure to absorb the highlighted information.
Version	Release Date	What's New?
4.33	January 1994	Enhancements: adds text version of WinWord user manual; organizes help better, including a 'synthesizer compatibility table' in the Introduction section. Bug fixes: none Note: CanvasMan has consolidated the CANVAS.WRI 'read me' file into the online help system; CANVAS.WRI is now obsolete and no longer  included.
4.32	December 1993	Enhancements: adds CanQuest glossary/help file to CanvasMan help menu (CanQuest is Copyright © 1993-1994 Lodi Claessen); adds /D: command-line option to support multiple SOUNDCanvases in the same MIDI setup. "Bug" fix: John Cowles discovered an undocumented feature concerning the SOUNDCanvas Reverb and Chorus.  If you change the Reverb and/or Chorus macro, the related parameters change to new default values.  The Reverb/Chorus screen now reflects this fact; the screen behaves more accurately now.  Thanks, John! I wanted to finish the SC-55mkII aspects in this release, but I couldn't get one in time and users were clamoring for CANQUEST.  SC-55mkII support is next on the agenda and is 80% complete.
4.31	November 1993	Maintenance release: corrects bug where ending CANVASMAN would not release the MIDI ports if WinJammer Pro was installed; no longer displays harmless "invalid data" message on SOUNDCanvas LCD; changes spin button cycle time from 150ms to 75ms (i.e., it is now twice as fast); moves Quick Edit spin button and changes it to the same size as that in Drum Kit Edit.
4.3	October 1993	Enhancements: Adds spin button control to Quick Edit and Drum Edit screens; allows multiple instances of CANVASMAN to run. Bug fixes: corrects some data display and error recovery problems on the Quick Edit and Drum Edit screens.
Early	Apr-Sep 1993	Adds drum editing, MIDI Panic Button, Play From/Thru song phrase looping, Local On/Off and Setup-MIDI Controller; supports 8514/A fonts ("large fonts"); disables drum program #128 (CM-32/64L) since it's non-GM. Corrects bug that created bad Drum Kit files and bad drum information in Combo files.  The fix ensures data integrity by invalidating pre-4.2 drum data (i.e., it will ignore the drum data in pre-4.2 .GSCs and won't load pre-4.2 .GSDs). Renames data file extensions and explains them in online help to improve user understanding: The Combo files went from *.SCD to *.GSC and the Sound files went from *.MPS to *.GSS.  If you have used the SONGCANVAS prior to version 3.2 or CANVASMAN prior to version 1.5, you must rename your data files.  To do so, get to a DOS prompt, go to the directory containing your .SCD files, and type REN  *.SCD  *.GSC  <Enter> Then go to your .MPS directory and type REN  *.MPS  *.GSS  <Enter> CANVASMAN combo files (*.GSC) contain drum kit information and are thus not downward-compatible with the SONGCANVAS. Read the Introduction help topic for complete descriptions of all data files. Initially available April 1993.  Original names Ludwig! and Clyde (from versions 1.0 through 1.17) were already trademarked elsewhere.
Future	future	Support new SC-55mkII synthesizer via the /mkII command-line option, add context-sensitive help; enhance data entry on Quick Edit and Drum Edit dialogs via increase and decrease value keys (similar to Cakewalk); enhance Play From/Thru (visual selection, etc.); access more parameters on Quick Edit via scrollable windows; etc.


Thanks
Thanks and Acknowledgments

Elena, thanks for putting up with all of this.

CANVASMAN is dedicated to the memory of Dee Cazel.

I thank our beta test team for their great suggestions and good spirits through numerous downloads and e-mailings:

Foremost, Dan McKee of WinJammer Software Ltd. provided substantial help and encouragement and great suggestions throughout.  He is truly a Windows MIDI guru.  Dan, thanks again for your continued presence.

Parker Adams of The Parker Adams Group has shared many good suggestions, including the GS Sound concept.  His marketing and ease of use ideas have been invaluable.  Parker loves to create new sounds with CanvasMan when he's not tearing up the Southern California beach volleyball circuit.

Kevin Weiner of FM Software was the first beta tester.  His numerous ideas and programming examples have helped shape all of my MIDI programs from the Rhodes Warrior through CanvasMan.

Larry Roberts was also an early beta tester.  He has had several design ideas throughout the course, and his GS compositions and arrangements have provided inspiration to keep going.

Lodi Claessen has given the project an international flavor.  His ever-present sense of humor has helped make the project fun, and his usability suggestions have been great.  He also created CanQuest, the CanvasMan glossary.

Paul Stillwell has also provided some great design ideas and good feedback.  Paul has quickly graduated from a MIDI novice to guru during this project.

Jim Kometani of Twelve Tone Systems, Inc. has provided valuable design suggestions from both a musician and technician's standpoint.

I also thank CompuServe's MIDI forum system operators for providing me with the resources to carry out this beta test: John Hays, Tom LeCompte, Jim Maki, Frank Marousek, and Mike Ward.


Menus
Main Window / Menu / Toolbar

See also File Menu, Edit Menu, MIDI Menu, Setup Menu, Help Menu

CanvasMan's main window consists of several sections.  From top to bottom, they are:

o	Caption

o	Menubar

o	Toolbar

o	Part Selectors

o	Edit Controls	(The picture above does not show any Edit Controls since they change based on the current Edit Menu selection.)

The window caption states "CanvasMan," the current Edit Menu selection, and your current file name.

The menubar appears below the caption.  Help's menu sections explain each menu option in detail.  You may click on menu options at any time to invoke that function.

Certain options have accelerator "hotkeys" that make accessing them quicker.  For example, you can always press Ctrl+A to display the Quick Edit A screen.  The menus list accelerators where available.

The toolbar is the row of pictures ("icons") below the menubar.  These icons duplicate some of the menu options.  From left to right, the icons represent File-New, File-Open, File-Save, File-Load MFF, MIDI-Play/Pause, MIDI-Rewind, MIDI-Thru, MIDI-Local, Help-About and MIDI-Panic Button.

In most cases, the Part selection buttons appear below the toolbar.  However, when you've selected an edit window that covers multiple parts, the Part selectors disappear.  When available, click on one of the sixteen radio buttons to choose your current work in process Part.

The Edit Menu section describes the different Edit Control screens in detail.

You may resize the window like in other programs by dragging its border.


File Menu

See also Main Window / Menu / Toolbar, Edit Menu, MIDI Menu, Setup Menu, Help Menu

Registered copies of CanvasMan automatically saves a copy of the GS Combo file (*.GSC) as a small MIDIEX file with a .SYX file extension when you File-Save or File-Save As.  You can import these .SYX files into your sequencer or send them "as is" to "prime" your Canvas with various set-ups.

See the Combos / Sounds / Drum Kits section in the Introduction topic to learn how CanvasMan's data files interrelate.

File-New

This option sends a GS Reset to the Canvas and renames the current GS Combo file to UNTITLED.  File-New will prompt you to save the current Combo if you've changed it since your last File-Save or File-Save As.

File-Open

This option displays a file open dialog for GS Combos (*.GSC).  Once you select a valid file, CanvasMan sends the complete sysex data to the Canvas.  File-Open will prompt you to save the current Combo if you've changed it since your last File-Save or File-Save As.

File-Save

This option saves the current GS Combo file (*.GSC).  If the current file name is UNTITLED, File-Save behaves as File-Save As and displays a file save dialog for Combos.

File-Save As

This option displays a file save dialog for GS Combos (*.GSC).

File-Load GS Sound

This option displays a file open dialog for GS Sounds (*.GSS).  Once you select a valid file, you can insert it into the current Combo starting on any tonal part.

File-Save GS Sound

This option allows you to select which Part(s) you wish to include in a GS Sound (*.GSS).  Once you've done so and pressed the OK button, File-Save GS Sound displays a file save dialog for Sounds.

File-Load GS Drum Kit

This option displays a file open dialog for GS Drum Kits (*.GSD).  Once you select a valid file, you can insert it into the current Combo as Drum Kit #1 or #2.

File-Save GS Drum Kit

This option displays a file save dialog for GS Drum Kits (*.GSD).

File-Load MIDI File

This option displays a file open dialog for MIDI format files ("standard MIDI files").  Once you select a valid file, CanvasMan starts playing it.  File-Load MIDI File is grayed if MIDI is disabled.

File-Exit

This option exits CanvasMan.  File-Exit will prompt you to save the current GS Combo file if you've changed it since your last File-Save or File-Save As.


Edit Menu

See also Main Window / Menu / Toolbar, File Menu, MIDI Menu, Setup Menu, Help Menu

The Edit Menu displays a list of all of the edit dialog windows.  CanvasMan indicates the current choice with a check mark to its left.

When you select a new window, the size reverts to its default.  As with most Windows programs, however, you can resize the CanvasMan window at any time.

Each valid change you make on any edit screen sends the sysex data to the SOUNDCanvas immediately.

Edit-Quick Edit A

Edit-Quick Edit B

These options display basic part settings for all 16 Parts.  You can use the keyboard to change several parameters here.  Move between parameters with the Tab and Shift+Tab keys; you may also single-click (steady hand!) on a parameter to select it.

Mouse users can change values with the spin button.

To mute a MIDI Channel, set it to 0.  To set random panning, set Pan to -64.

Edit-General Part Settings #1

Edit-General Part Settings #2

These options display the General Part Settings dialogs.  You can change numerous general parameters in this window.  To set random panning, set Part Panpot to -64.

Edit-Receive Flags / Scale Tuning

This option displays the Receive Flags / Scale Tuning dialog.  You can specify to which MIDI messages a Part responds and you can tune the individual chromatic notes for a Part here.

Edit-Controllers-Modulation / Pitch Bend

This options displays the Modulation / Pitch Bend dialog.  You can change Modulation and Pitch Bend-oriented parameters in this window.

Edit-Controllers-Aftertouch

This option displays the Aftertouch dialog.  You can change Aftertouch-oriented parameters in this window.

Edit-Controllers-Continuous Controllers

This option displays the Continuous Controllers dialog.  You can change Continuous Controller-oriented parameters in this window.

Edit-Master

This options displays the Master Settings dialog.  You can change global parameters on this screen that affect every Part.

Edit-Reverb / Chorus

This options displays the Reverb / Chorus Settings dialog.  You can change effects parameters on this screen that affect every Part.

Edit-Tone/Rhythm / Voice Reserve

This option displays the Tone/Rhythm / Voice Reserve dialog.  You can designate Parts as tonal or rhythm (Map #1 or #2) here, and you can reserve voices for Parts.

Edit-Drum Kits

This option displays the Edit-Drum Kits dialog.  The SOUNDCanvas stores settings for two drum kits; you can use the keyboard to change these settings here.  Move between parameters with the Tab and Shift+Tab keys; you may also single-click (steady hand!) on a parameter to select it.

Mouse users can change values with the spin button.

The top of the screen displays the kit names.  The left column lists the sounds within the selected kit.  You can select which of the two sound lists to display via the Instrument Names radio buttons in the upper left corner.  If both kits are the same, CanvasMan disables the Instrument Names radio buttons.

CanvasMan does not support the CM-64/32L set (program number 128).

Edit-Decrement Part

This option decreases the current Part by 1.  If you are already on Part 1, the Part changes to 16.

Edit-Increment Part

This option increases the current Part by 1.  If you are already on Part 16, the Part changes to 1.

Edit-Next Quick Edit Screen

This option moves forward through the Quick Edit screens.  If you're already at the last screen, it takes you to the first.  This option is only available when the Quick Edit screens are active.

Edit-Prior Quick Edit Screen

This option moves backward through the Quick Edit screens.  If you're already at the first screen, it takes you to the last.  This option is only available when the Quick Edit screens are active.


MIDI Menu

See also Main Window / Menu / Toolbar, File Menu, Edit Menu, Setup Menu, Help Menu, Setup MIDI Ports, MIDI Multitasking

MIDI-Play/Pause

This toggles the MIDI player On and Off.  If the file is currently playing, the option states Pause; if currently paused, it states Play.  If a MIDI file is not loaded, the option states Play/Pause.

MIDI-Rewind

This option restarts playing the current MIDI file from the beginning.

MIDI-Play From / Thru

This option allows you to specify a section of the currently loaded MFF to play in a loop.  Enter the From (loop begin) and Thru (loop end) measures and select OK.

When you load a song via File-Load MIDI File, CanvasMan sets the Play From/Thru time signature to 4/4.  (In the future, CanvasMan may automatically detect the time signature.)  Select the correct time signature if not 4/4; if your time signature is not listed or if you have multiple time signatures in the song, select Beats Only.  When using Beats Only, remember to calculate your From and Thru values using quarter notes, not measures.

MIDI-Thru

This option toggles MIDI Thru On and Off.  MIDI-Thru is unavailable if you have not selected both Input and Output ports in Setup MIDI Ports.

MIDI-Local

This option toggles Local On and Off for your controller keyboard.  The data transmits on the channel specified in Setup-MIDI Controller.  Since most MIDIers want Local Off, CanvasMan turns Local Off at startup.

MIDI-Refresh Synth

This option retransmits the current GS Combo file's sysex data to the Canvas.

MIDI-Panic Button

This option stops the song (if playing) and sends "all notes off" and "reset all controllers" messages on each MIDI channel of each MIDI port.


Setup Menu

See also Main Window / Menu / Toolbar, File Menu, Edit Menu, MIDI Menu, Help Menu

Setup-Register

This option allows you to enter your license information (Name, Address and User Code).  Entering this information opens up some of the enhanced features of CanvasMan.  Note that the User Code consists of 12 hexadecimal digits (i.e., the digits 0-9 and the lower-case letters a-f).

Setup-Directories

This option allows you to specify which directories to use for MIDI files (labelled as MID Directory), GS Combos (GSC), GS Sounds (GSS), and GS Drum Kits (GSD).  Setup-Directories will create the directories if necessary, but only to one level.  For example, C:\CANVAS\DATA\SOUNDS is invalid unless C:\CANVAS\DATA already exists.

Setup-MIDI Controller

This option allows you to specify which MIDI channel your controller keyboard is using.  Setup-MIDI Controller's main purpose is to allow you to toggle the controller's local On and Off.

Setup-MIDI Ports (see)


Help Menu

See also Main Window / Menu / Toolbar, File Menu, Edit Menu, MIDI Menu, Setup Menu

Help-Contents

This option displays the table of contents for CanvasMan's online help system.

Help-Search for Help on

This option displays the list of cross-referenced CanvasMan help keywords.  You can search for information on any indexed word or phrase as listed here.

Help-EZ Start Tutorial

This option is only available on the Parker Adams Group CanvasMan Deluxe Edition.  It displays a help file consisting of CanvasMan tutorials.

Help-How to Use Help

This option displays Windows own 'how to use help' tutorial.

Help-About CanvasMan

This option displays the sunglassed Beethoven trademark and plays the CanvasMan fanfare.  Its purpose is to list copyright and program version information.


Setup MIDI Ports

See also MIDI Multitasking, MIDI Menu

Setting up your MIDI ports consists of two dialog boxes: the MIDI Configure dialog and the Route MIDI Output dialog.  CanvasMan disables MIDI input and output during these dialogs.

If you configure both input and output ports, MIDI Thru will turn On at the end of the Route MIDI Output dialog.

MIDI Configure

MIDI Configure allows you to select as many output ports as you have and 0 or 1 input port:

Output Ports: If you have more than one output port, you can have CanvasMan play your MIDI files on some or all of them.  To so do, sequence the output ports to match your multi-port MIDI files.  Do so by moving the relevant ports from Available Output Ports to Output Ports in the desired order.  If you have a single MIDI interface like most of us, you can simply choose your listed interface as output port #1.

Try to avoid using the Microsoft MIDI Mapper output port--you cannot open it for multiple concurrent output.  See MIDI Multitasking for more information.

Input Port: Windows does not allow more than one program to use a given input port at the same time.  Thus, if you plan to run CanvasMan at the same time as another MIDI program that supports MIDI Thru, you should not select an input port.  If you run it at the same time as the WinJammer sequencer program, however, you should select an input port since CanvasMan uses WinJammer's MIDI input/output facility.  See MIDI Multitasking for more information.

Route MIDI Output

Route MIDI Output allows you to select which configured output ports you'll use for Thru, System Exclusive ("SysEx") and Local On/Off data.

Thru--specify the port to which you want your keyboard controller's MIDI information routed.  You'll typically specify the same port as SysEx, since you'll probably want both types of MIDI information to go to the same port (i.e., eventually routed to the SOUNDCanvas).  The Thru input port displays below the Thru combobox to remind you of the source of the Thru data.

SysEx--specify the port to which you want CanvasMan's system exclusive ("sysex") data routed.  You'll typically specify the same port as Thru, since you'll probably want both types of MIDI information to go to the same port (i.e., eventually routed to the SOUNDCanvas).

Local--specify the port to which you want CanvasMan's Local On/Off information routed.  This should be the port that connects to your controller keyboard's MIDI In port (perhaps through a Thru daisy chain of some sort).


MIDI Multitasking

See also Setup MIDI Ports

Windows' capability of running multiple MIDI programs at the same time makes it vastly superior to DOS MIDI.  You maximize this capability by using MIDI drivers that allow multiple concurrent output ("multi-client").

Multi-client drivers, for example, allow you to change patch settings on your SOUNDCanvas with CanvasMan at the same time you play a song in Cakewalk, Band-In-A-Box, and others.  Note that the MIDI Mapper does not allow multiple clients.  Note also that no input drivers support multi-client use.  This is why you should select <none> as CanvasMan's input port if your sequencer is recording.

The MPU-401 driver that comes with Windows 3.1 does not allow multiple concurrent output, either.  However, Twelve Tone Systems (maker of Cakewalk Professional for Windows) has created a better MPU-401 driver that does allow this.  If you already run Wincake with an MPU-401, you should already have this driver installed.  If you don't have the driver, you can get it in Wincake's demo (from probably any MIDI-oriented BBS).  (On CompuServe, grab WDEMO.TXT and WDEMO.ZIP from library 3 in the MIDIAVEN forum.  Be sure to read WDEMO.TXT before unZIPping WDEMO.ZIP.)

Note finally that CanvasMan uses WinJammer's MIDI input/output facility (MIDILIB.DLL); for the purpose of this discussion, WinJammer and CanvasMan are one program.  Thus, when running CanvasMan and WinJammer together, you should specify an input port in MIDI Configure.

Understanding these concepts is probably the most confusing aspect of Windows MIDI.


Spin Button

A spin button [image] is a "custom control" (i.e., a data entry device not supplied as part of Windows).  CanvasMan uses spin buttons on the Quick Edit and Drum Kits screens.

Spin buttons allow mouse users to increase/decrease the value in an edit control by clicking on up/down arrows.  Because spin buttons are not part of Windows itself, different programmers design them in different ways.  In CanvasMan's case, press the left mouse button while pointing at an arrow to trigger the changes; release the button or move away from the arrows to end the changes.  You can also move to the other arrow to reverse direction.

Even though there are over 100 edit controls on the Quick Edit and Drum Kits screens, there is only one spin button.  The main reason for this is lack of room.  Adding 16 spin buttons to each row of the Quick Edit screen (or 10 to Drums) would make the window wider than the standard VGA screen.

Thus, the single spin button pertains to whichever edit control has the keyboard focus (CanvasMan places the blinking edit caret over it).  You can move between the edit controls by clicking on them or pressing Tab or Shift+Tab.

 The upper-half of the spin button's color changes when increasing values.

 The lower-half of the spin button's color changes when decreasing values.


Command-Line Options

See also Introduction, JJCMIDI.INI settings

Description

CanvasMan has two optional command-line parameters to maximize its flexibility.  Note that parameters are not case-sensitive (e.g., /d:17 is the same as /D:17) and may not contain imbedded spaces (e.g., /D:  18 is invalid).

CANVAS     /D:n     /mkII

/D:n	Device #--use MIDI device #"n".  Leave this at "17" unless you have a second SOUNDCanvas.  All characters after the /D: must be numeric.  The minimum device# is 1 and the maximum is 32.

/mkII	CanvasManII--operate in CanvasManII mode.  Specify /mkII if your SOUNDCanvas is an SC-55mkII or future 100% compatible GS synth.  See Introduction for more information.

The default setting is   CANVAS  /D:17   In other words, if you run CANVAS.EXE with no /D: nor /mkII setting, CanvasMan will operate in 'original' mode on device #17.

How To

CanvasMan comes with icons to run the program in either (or both) 'original' and 'mkii' mode (see Introduction).  However, both icons assume that your SOUNDCanvas uses device #17.  If you have a second SOUNDCanvas using a different device#, you will need to tell CanvasMan which device# to use for its sysex information.

To do so, single click on the correct icon (CanvasMan or CanvasManII) to highlight it as the current selection.  Then select File-Properties... from the Program Manager menu.  You will see a dialog box similar to this:

At this point you can simply change the /D:17 to /D:18 or similar and click on the OK button.


JJCMIDI.INI Settings

See also Command-Line Options, Introduction

The JJCMIDI.INI file stores several settings for CANVASMAN.  Like most INI files, it contains several sections:

[CanvasMan] tracks the chosen data file directories.

[MIDI Ports] stores the port settings you choose in Setup MIDI Ports.

[CanvasMan##] tracks the ports assigned to each SOUNDCanvas.

For example, check out this sample JJCMIDI.INI file:

[CanvasMan]

DirGSC=J:\CMAN\GSC

DirGSS=J:\CMAN\GSS

DirGSD=J:\CMAN\GSD

DirMID=M:\TUNES

DirG2C=C:\CANVAS2

DirG2S=C:\CANVAS2

DirG2D=C:\CANVAS2

[MIDI Ports]

MIDILIB.DLL=D651,780

[CanvasMan17]

InThru=MPU-401 In

OutSysEx=MPU-401 Out

OutThru=MPU-401 Out

OutLocal=MPU-401 Out

[CanvasMan18]

InThru=Music Quest MQX32M In

OutSysEx=Music Quest MQX32M Out

OutThru=Music Quest MQX32M Out

OutLocal=Music Quest MQX32M Out

You can see that CanvasMan will route data for device #17 to the MPU401 and data for #18 to the MQX32M.


Introduction to CanvasMan
Print	Introduction to CANVASMAN Welcome!  Please read this entire help topic before spending much time with CanvasMan--doing so will save you time in the long run.  For example, you want to be sure to run CanvasMan in the mode appropriate for your SOUNDCanvas.  In addition, many users don't realize CanvasMan's powerful capabilities in creating customized sounds and drum kits. I strongly suggest that you print a copy of this topic for future reference.  To do so, click on the Print button to the left.

Overview

CanvasMan is the Windows 3.1 editor/librarian for Roland's SOUNDCanvas line of GS synthesizers (SC-55, SC-55mkII, SCC-1, SC-155, JV-30 and many others).  CanvasMan provides true MIDI multitasking -- you can run it by itself, while you jam with Band-In-A-Box, or while you sequence with Cakewalk and WinJammer.  The wait is over for an easy-to-use ed/lib that takes full advantage of Windows' built-in multimedia capabilities.

CanvasMan can play your MIDI files as you edit -- you'll hear your changes instantly in the context of your own musical projects!  It saves its patch data in standard binary format (also called "MIDIEX" format) so you can store patches with your sequences or as stand-alone banks.  You can even create your own single- and multi-Part sounds for easy future recall!  Finally, CanvasMan gives you mastery over all Global, Part, and Drum parameters.  No other editor gives you such complete control over the SOUNDCanvas!

CanvasMan avoids the term "patch" in its help system and documentation because "patch" sometimes has an ambiguous definition in the context of multi-timbral synthesizers.  The Combos / Sounds / Drum Kits section (below) describes CanvasMan's data files.

System Requirements

Microsoft Windows 3.1, mouse, VGA monitor

MIDI interface with a Windows 3.1 driver

Roland GS synthesizer (read Compatibility below)

Compatibility--Does CanvasMan Work with My Synthesizer?

CanvasMan can work with both the 'original' style SOUNDCanvas (e.g., SC-55, SCC-1) and the 'new' SOUNDCanvas (e.g., SC-55mkII).  Since the synthesizers have incompatible sysex (described below), however, CanvasMan allows you to run in either original mode or SC-55mkII mode.  This description refers to running CanvasMan in original mode as CM1 and running in SC-55mkII mode as CM2.

When running CM2 (i.e., using the /mkII command-line option), it becomes CanvasManII. CanvasMan's two modes reflect the minor sysex-oriented differences between the newer and the older SCs:

1--There is a new Receive Flag called Rx Bank Select on the RxFlags / Scale Tuning screen.  Since the original SOUNDCanvas always receives this message, CM1 sets this field to Yes and prevents you from changing it.

2--CM2's CC1 and CC2 values max out at 95, instead of CM1's 127.

3--CM2 allows 28 voices in Voice Reserve, instead of CM1's 24.

4--CM2 has 354 tonal sounds, instead of CM1's 317.

Because of these four differences, CM1 and CM2's data files are not compatible.  To keep these files from intermixing, CM1's .GSC, .GSS and .GSD data file extensions change to .G2C, .G2S and .G2D, respectively, under CM2.  The files have exactly the same purpose, however (as described below in the Combos / Sounds / Drum Kits section).

Be sure to select the correct mode for your SOUNDCanvas; in fact, to prevent a mistake, you should delete the other mode's icon from CanvasMan's Program Manager group by single-clicking on it (to highlight it as the current selection) and then pressing the Delete key.

CanvasMan is not compatible with the GM-only SOUNDCanvases (e.g., RAP-10 and SC-7).

Synth	CanvasMan Mode	Notes
JV-30	CM1	100% compatible.
RAP-10	not compatible
SCC-1	CM1	100% compatible.
SC-155	CM1	100% compatible.
SC-33	CM2	The SC-33 does not have the MT-32 sounds (127-001 through 127-128).
SC-55	CM1	100% compatible.
SC-55mkII	CM2	100% compatible.
SC-7	not compatible
SD-35	CM2	The SD-35 does not have the MT-32 sounds (127-001 through 127-128) nor laughing (001-127), stream (004-123) or windchime (005-125).
This table is not 100% complete; please feel free to send me additions and/or corrections.

Quick Start (for Expert Users)

(Non-expert users should read the Installation section in the CanvasMan User Manual)

1	Determine whether to run CM1 or CM2 (from Compatibility (above)) and double-click on the CanvasMan or CanvasManII icon in CanvasMan's Program Manager group.

2	Setup MIDI Ports--Select Setup-MIDI Ports from CanvasMan's menu (CanvasMan will automatically run this option for you the first time in).  Follow the on-screen instructions.  I strongly encourage you to read the manual or online help here.

Combos / Sounds / Drum Kits

CanvasMan creates four types of data files:

GS Combos	*.GSC

GS Sounds	*.GSS

GS Drum Kits	*.GSD

MIDIEX copies of the GS Combo files follow Cakewalk's standard name *.SYX.  Registered copies of CanvasMan create a MIDIEX copy each time you save a Combo.  Unregistered copies do not create MIDIEX files.

CanvasMan focuses on Combo files.  Combos contain data for the entire SOUNDCanvas.  Since the SOUNDCanvas has sixteen Parts and two drum kits, you can think of a Combo file as a large band.  (In this setting, capitalized "Combo," "Sound" or "Drum Kit" indicates CanvasMan data files. The non-capitalized version indicates 'normal' meaning; e.g., a "combo" is a band or an orchestra.)

You setup one Combo for each of your songs; in effect, each song has a separate combo at its disposal.  However, you will probably find that your songs often use the same settings for several instruments.  For example, if you create the ultimate grand piano, you may want to use it in most of your songs' Combos.  Similarly, if you've changed the reverb on certain drum instruments in drum kit #1, you may want that effect in all of your songs.

This is where GS Sound and GS Drum Kit files come in.  Sounds and Drum Kits are modular building blocks for your Combos.  Sounds consist of one or more Parts on the same channel.  Drum Kits contain note mapping and effects parameters for drum kits.  Continuing the above example, assume you've created a great piano on MIDI channel 6 using Part 8.  Rather than remembering all the parameters you've tweaked so you can recreate them for your next song, simply save Part 8 as a Sound

To do so, select File-Save GS Sound.  When it asks which Part(s) to include, click on Part 8.  When you select OK, CanvasMan will display the save dialog and allow you to call your Sound GPIANO.GSS or similar.  Note that you can have multiple Parts in a Sound file.  For example, if you create a grunge organ by combining Organ 3 and Overdrive Guitar, you can save them together for use in Combos.  After selecting File-Save GS Sound, simply check the appropriate Parts' checkboxes.  You may not include rhythm Parts in a Sound, and CanvasMan prevents such attempts.

Sounds contain all parameters that are pertinent to that Part.  They do not contain Global settings like reserved voices nor the chosen Reverb Macro.  Combos store that information.

Drum Kits work similarly.  After changing the reverb for your chosen rhythm instruments (example #1), select File-Save GS Drum Kit.  When it asks which of the two kits to use, click on Kit #1.  When you select OK, CanvasMan will display the save dialog and allow you to call your Drum Kit COOLRVRB.GSD or similar.

When you want to use a Sound or a Drum Kit in a Combo, you select File-Load GS Sound or File-Load GS Drum Kit, respectively.  Load GS Sound allows you to insert Sounds into the current Combo.  After selecting a valid Sound file, you specify the destination Part and MIDI channel.  The Part(s) and channel of the original Sound are irrelevant; CanvasMan provides maximum flexibility here.

You may also opt whether to mute existing Parts on the destination MIDI channel.  If you're loading Ultimate Grand Piano on channel 1 and channel 1 is already assigned to Space Echo, you will probably want to leave this option checked (or end up with a space echoed piano sound).  CanvasMan loads the file into the current Combo and sends it to the Canvas.

Load GS Sound will not overwrite Rhythm Parts with the Tonal information in the Sound.  For example, if you load a 4-Part sound into Part 9 and you have previously set Part 10 to the Power (rhythm) Set, the GS Sound will overwrite Parts 9, 11, 12 and 13.  Similarly, Load GS Sound will fail if you attempt to load a Sound that will not fit.  For example, you cannot load a three-part sound starting on Part 15 or 16 because it would try to fill Parts 15, 16 and 17 or 16, 17 and 18.  Load GS Sound's prompts automatically adjust for this.

Load GS Drum Kit allows you to insert Drum Kits into the current Combo.  After selecting a valid Drum Kit file, you specify the destination kit.  There are two destination kits, and like Sounds, the original Kit's kit number is not relevant.  CanvasMan loads the file into the current Combo and sends it to the Canvas.

*************************************************************

If you have used versions of the SongCanvas prior to version 3.2 or CanvasMan prior to version 1.5, you must rename the data files from those programs to use them in this version of CanvasMan.  To do so, get to a DOS prompt, go to the directory containing your .SCD files, and type

REN  *.SCD  *.GSC  <Enter>

Then go to your .MPS directory and type

REN  *.MPS  *.GSS  <Enter>

CanQuest

Lodi Claessen, one of CanvasMan's original beta testers, has written CanQuest, an excellent SOUNDCanvas / CanvasMan glossary.  You can learn from CanQuest by selecting CanQuest... on the Help Menu or by selecting its icon in the Program Manager's CanvasMan group.  Please send any questions or feedback directly to Lodi on CompuServe at #100112,3722.

CanQuest is Copyright © 1993-1994 Lodi Claessen.

Free CanvasMan?

If you registered the SongCanvas within the 'free Windows version' time frame, your SongCanvas Registration Information will work with CanvasMan.  Run CanvasMan and select Setup-Register and enter the Name, Address and User Code from your SongCanvas registration letter.  This will register your copy of CanvasMan.

As with the SongCanvas, your licensing agreement prohibits you from giving your Registration Information to anyone.  Thank you for cooperating.

Wrap Up

I truly hope you enjoy CanvasMan.  Please help me distribute CanvasMan as widely as possible by making sure all your favorite bulletin boards have a current copy.  Look for future enhancements coming soon to a BBS near you.

Jeff Cazel

January 1, 1994


Files Included with CanvasMan

Program

CANVAS.EXE	CanvasMan program

JJCMCTRL.EXE	JJC MIDI control program

JJCMIDI.DLL	Supplemental code common to all JJC MIDI programs

MIDILIB.DLL	MIDI I/O driver--Copyright © 1991-1994 Dan McKee

(Note to power users: CanvasMan's SETUP program puts the last three files into Windows' SYSTEM directory.  It will not overwrite an existing file unless CanvasMan's is more current.  If you run into strange problems, make sure that you only have one copy of these three files and that they are in Windows' SYSTEM directory.)

Documentation / Supplemental

CANVAS.HLP	CanvasMan online help

CANVAS.TXT	CanvasMan User Manual in text-only format.  Though text files are universally-compatible, they cannot contain the fonts nor pictures that the full manuals (below) contain.

CANVAS.MAN	CanvasMan User Manual in WinWord 6.0 format.  CANVAS.MAN is complete except for the sunglassed Beethoven cover page.

CANVAS.3D	Full CanvasMan User Manual in PCL5 format.  CANVAS.3D is the ready-to-print manual for the HP LaserJet IIID printer (and any compatible using HP's Printer Control Language v5 (PCL5)).  The LaserJet III (non-duplexing version of the LaserJet IIID) and LaserJet 4 should also work, but you will probably want to reprint the manual on the reverse side of the first copy to create an "official" duplexed manual.  Your printer will need 2MB or more of RAM.  CANVAS.MAN does contain the sunglassed Beethoven cover page.

To minimize download time for those without WinWord and/or a PCL5 printer, I've uploaded CANVAS.MAN and CANVAS.3D as separate archive files.  Look on CompuServe's MIDIFORUM in library 11 for the files CMDOC.ZIP and CM3D.ZIP (WinWord and PCL5 versions, respectively).

You can also simply buy a manual from me.  See the Order Form for complete information.