Sound, Music & MIDI Collection 2/SMMVOL2.bin/MIDI_PAT/MQWIND.ZIP/TUTORIAL.TXT

Text File | 1993-08-16 | 22.5 KB | 546 lines

                        MIDI QUEST TUTORIAL
                        ===================

Thank you for your interest in MIDI QUEST. For additional information you
can contact Sound Quest by phone, mail, or through our BBS at:

  Sales/Support : [phone]
  US 800 Sales  : [phone]
  BBS           : [phone]
  FAX           : [phone]

The suggested list price of MIDI QUEST is:

    $299.00US/$369.00Cdn - for PC/XT/AT, AMIGA, ATARI ST MIDI QUEST
    $319.00US/$389.00Cdn - for MS Windows MIDI QUEST

Welcome to MIDI QUEST, Sound Quest's Universal Editor/Librarian. This
tutorial is drawn largely from the MIDI QUEST manual. We have included a
number of sample data files, Drivers, and Templates from the M1, D-10, K1,
and Proteus. These files will allow you to view MIDI QUEST through these
instruments and to communicate with any of these instruments if you own
one or more of them. The Support List file contains the Instruments
supported by Sound Quest as of the date in that file.

NOTE: the demo version of MIDI QUEST is a completely functional version
with the exceptions that saving of data files is disabled and there is
a timer which stops the execution of the program after 15 minutes.

To Start MIDI QUEST demo for WINDOWS
------------------------------------

1. Choose "File/Run..." from the Program manager.
2. Enter "A:INSTALL" to install the demo.
3. Open the File Manager and move to the C: drive
4. Select the MQUEST directory in the root of the C: drive
5. Double click on MQUEST.EXE to run the demo

To Start MIDI QUEST demo for PC DOS
-----------------------------------

1. Log into the drive containing the demo (CD A:<RETURN>)
2. Type INSTALL<RETURN>

To Start MIDI QUEST demo for MAC
--------------------------------

1. Double click on the MidiQuestDemo icon.

To Start MIDI QUEST demo for AMIGA
----------------------------------

1. Book with Kickstart 1.3.
2. Insert the MIDI QUEST demo program and double click to open.
3. Double click on "Install Midi" to install Sound Quest's midi.library.
4. Double click on "MidiQuestDemo" to run the MIDI QUEST demo.

To Start MIDI QUEST demo for ATARI ST
-------------------------------------

1. Double click on the MQDEMO.PRG icon.


Introduction
------------

MIDI QUEST is an advanced development and organizational tool for
the demanding musician. Use MIDI QUEST to edit, reorganize, and
generate new sounds and System Exclusive information. Its
comprehensive Data Base and Library facilities make storage and
access to SysX information fast and easy. MIDI QUEST's extensive
music performance features allow you to hear sounds as you
develop them. You may also audition different sounds for any
particular instrumental part in a musical sequence.

MIDI QUEST's list of supported instruments is constantly
expanding so it is not published in this manual. Instead, the
file "Support.doc" contains a list of all supported instruments.
For the latest listing of supported instruments, contact the
Sound Quest BBS.

MIDI QUEST is composed of six integrated tools, but it is one
program. This means you can work with several tools at once using
the same information in different ways. The size tools are:

    The Universal Librarian
    The Universal Editor
    The Database
    The Library
    The Sound Checker
    The Driver Creator and File Conversion Utilities

The Universal Librarian
-----------------------

The Universal Librarian is used to store and retrieve sounds and
other data from your instruments. The Universal Librarian
features:
    Fully configurable MIDI drivers
    Automated patch bay switching
    MIDI Thru rechannelization (on most systems)
    Load/save one file or entire MIDI setup in one pass
    `Fast Tips' help
    Support for multiple MIDI ports (where available)

The Universal Editor
--------------------

The Universal Editor features both bank and patch editors.

Use Bank Editors to edit or rearrange banks of sounds and other
banks of data. Also, create new banks of Sounds using
randomization. Bank Editors feature:
    Copy, Paste, and Swap patches within a bank or between banks
    Shift a group of patches up and down or invert their order
    Display or Restore original patches
    Rename individual patches
    Blend sounds three ways: Mix, Mix All, and Blend
    Edit patches directly from Patch Banks
    Audition individual patches directly from a bank

Use the Patch Editors to edit sounds and other patch data. MIDI
QUEST's Patch Editors can be used to graphically edit your
instrument's entire range of data. Patch Editors feature:
    Full graphic editing including Graphic Envelopes
    Individual parameter (or any group of parameters)
       randomization
    Direct numeric entry (including graphically displayed
       parameters)
    Temporary buffers store partially complete work
    `Fast Tips' help
    Copy and Paste parameters between patches or in a patch
    Move individual patches in and out of banks

The Data Base
-------------

Data Bases are used to group any number of data files together.
For instance, a Data Base can store all of the data from one
instrument (ie. DX patches) in one file rather than in many
different files. Another Data Base can be used to store a system
configuration for a particular piece or set of music. The data
can then be sent directly to your instruments. Data Bases
feature:
    Store entire instrument setup in Data Base for quick loading
    Sort Data Base by Manufacturer, Instrument, File Size, Time,
       or File Name
    Grab and Drag data into any desired order

The Library
-----------

The Library is used to store collections of sounds from a
particular instrument in one place for easy access. Use the
Library's extensive selection capabilities to find particular
types of sounds. PC users: the Library is not found in the
regular PC version but is available in the MS Windows version.
The Library features:
    Store as many patches in Library as desired (limited only by
       available RAM)
    Sort Library by Name, Notes, Comments
    Choose files using extensive criteria: Duplicates,
       Similarity, Keys, Name
    Grab and Drag patches into any order
    Move patches between Libraries or Data Bases quickly and
       easily
    Automatically build new banks
    Automatically move Patch Banks into Library
    Build multiple Libraries

The Sound Checker
-----------------

The Sound Checker is a collection of windows used to generate
individual notes, chords, arpeggios. It also plays standard MIDI
files. This provides a powerful music generating environment
which can be used to test whatever instrument data you are
working on. It's no longer necessary to return to a sequencer to
see if 'it's right'. The Sound Checker features
    MIDI Standard File (type 0 & 1) Sequence Player - load and
play any 1 of 10 standard MIDI file sequences created by your
sequencer
    MIDI Monitor - monitor MIDI events received by the computer
either graphically or numerically, or monitor the output of the
MIDI Sequence Player
    MIDI Controller Window - generate any type of MIDI command
    Tones Window - setup chords or arpeggios for the Right Mouse
Button (RMB)

The Driver Creator and File Conversion Windows
----------------------------------------------

The Driver Creator and File Conversion Windows are designed for
the technically oriented. The Driver Creator Window is used to
define MIDI drivers for new instruments. Synthesizers requiring
only a dump request can be set up with a few simple entries. The
Sound Quest macro language will assist you to set up more complex
MIDI I/O quickly and efficiently. The File Conversion Window is
used to convert files saved by other companys' editor/librarian
packages into MIDI QUEST format files.

Using the Tools Together
------------------------

MIDI QUEST is composed of six integrated tools, but it is one
program. This means you can work with several tools at once,
using the same information in different ways.

For example, use the Universal Librarian to store and retrieve
patches. Use the Universal Editor to organize, modify or
randomize them. Use the Data Base Window to group the sounds or
data files into convenient setups. When you find an instrument
which is not currently supported by MIDI QUEST, use the Driver
Creator to build drivers. A SysX dump from the instrument can be
viewed in the SysX View Window to assist your analysis.

Getting Started
---------------

The purpose of this tutorial is to cover the basic and most
commonly used features of MIDI QUEST: the loading, saving, and
editing of patches and banks. If you have not installed and run
MIDI QUEST, return to the "Installation" chapter and follow the
steps described there.

Manual Conventions-Selection/Menu Selection/Keyboard Equivalents
----------------------------------------------------------------

Throughout this manual, selections from the program's menus are
denoted as follows: "choose "Files/Open" [O]". This denotation
instructs you to display the "Files" menu strip and choose "Open"
from it. PC and ATARI users: to display the menus, point the
mouse to the top line of the screen and the menus will
automatically drop down.

For menus which have keyboard equivalents, the key equivalent
will be displayed in square brackets. In the above example, [O]
instructs you to hold down the menu select key and choose O. This
will execute the "Files/Open" function. The menu select key is as
follows: PC - ALT; MAC - Apple; AMIGA - right AMIGA; ATARI - ALT;
Windows - there are currently no key equivalents for windows.

To "Select" an item, point the mouse over the item and click once
with the (left) mouse button.

"Files" represents the contents of directories, drawers, or
folders.
A Mac "Dialog" may be referred to as a Requester.
The ALT key on a Mac is the "Option" key.

Connecting Your MIDI Cables
---------------------------

To receive data from your instrument, MIDI IN and MIDI OUT ports
must be connected as follows:

Computer MIDI IN    <------->    Instrument #1 MIDI OUT
Computer MIDI OUT    <------->    Instrument #1 MIDI IN

(The computer's MIDI IN port must be connected to the
instrument's MIDI OUT port. The computer's MIDI OUT port must be
connected to the instrument's MIDI IN port.)

Those who plan to use MIDI QUEST with more than one instrument,
but no patch bay, must reconnect their MIDI cables each time data
is collected from a different instrument. Those with a MIDI patch
bay can easily set up MIDI QUEST to automatically connect the
computer to the correct instrument.

Patch Bay Note: The tutorial assumes you are not using a patchbay. If you are, we recommend that you connect the computer
directly to an instrument until you are comfortable with MIDI
QUEST.

JLCooper Patch Bay Warning: Due to software bugs within the MSB
v1.0 patch bay, we do not recommend its use with MIDI QUEST. The
Rev 2.0 patch bay does work properly.

Roland A-880 Patch Bay Warning: EARLY versions of the Roland
A-880 patch bay have a bug which causes the A-880 to stop
responding to patch change commands after SysX data has been
transmitted through it. The current version of the A-880 works
properly and ROM upgrades are available.

Is MIDI QUEST Ready?
--------------------

If you have correctly followed the steps in the "Installation"
chapter and have connected the MIDI cables correctly, you are now
ready to load data from your instrument.

If MIDI QUEST is ready, a window will be open in the upper left
corner of the screen. This window is called the "Driver List"
Window. The Driver List Window is used to load data from an
instrument into MIDI QUEST. The window lists the types of data
which can be loaded from your instrument. Each of the entries in
the list is called a "Driver". Drivers control MIDI communication
between MIDI QUEST and your instruments.

There are no Drivers in the Driver List

If the Driver List Window is empty or incomplete, you have either
(1) not installed all your instruments during the installation
procedure or (2) not loaded all instrument drivers into MIDI
QUEST. To determine whether you have installed your instruments,
exit the program ("Files/Quit") and view the contents of the
INSTR(UMENTS) directory/folder of your disk. The directory/folder
should contain a list of installed instruments. If there are no
instruments or the list is incomplete, re-run the installation
procedure. Otherwise, (1) re-run the program, (2) click on the
Driver List Window (to ensure it is active), (3) display the
Driver List menu (PC/Atari users: to access the menus, point to
the top line of the screen) and (4) choose "Drivers/Build Driver
List". (5) When prompted to save the new driver list, select
"Yes". There should now be a complete list of drivers in your
Driver List Window.

Selecting a Driver and Setting Driver Parameters
------------------------------------------------

The first type of data to load will be a bank. Select a driver
from the Driver List Window for the bank you wish to load. To
select the driver, select (ie. click the left mouse button) on
the driver name and it will invert. Note: It is best to choose
the bank driver which defines an instrument's sounds. This is
often a Patch Bank, ie. Kawai K1 Patch Bank, VFX Preset Bank, Emu
Proteus Preset Bank, Roland D-50 Patch Bank, Roland D-10 Tone
Bank.

It may now be necessary to adjust driver parameters to match the
instrument's settings. Choose "Drivers/Fast Tips" [H] to display
instrument specific information. Fast Tips provides special
instructions on setting up your instrument for correct
communication. Take note of this information and make any changes
necessary to your instrument.

For certain instruments, you must adjust the instrument to
receive System Exclusive (SysX) messages. Make sure you follow
the instructions in the Fast Tips help.

Each driver in the driver list has up to six programmable
parameters depending on your computer system: Communication
Channel, MIDI Channel, Port In, Port Out, Patch # and Ctl #.

Set the Communication Channel
-----------------------------

The "Comm(unication) Ch(annel)" is the channel on which your
instrument communicates SysX data. (1) Choose "Drivers/Fast Tips"
[H] for instructions on determining your instrument's "Comm Ch".
(2) Following the instructions in the Fast Tips help, find the
"Comm Ch" to which your instrument is set. (3) Click on the "Comm
Ch" and hold the mouse button down. (4) Drag the mouse left/right
to match the "Comm Ch" to the instrument. Note: This parameter is
disabled on instruments where no channel is used for transferring
SysX data. In this case proceed to the next step.

Set the MIDI Channel
--------------------

The "MIDI Ch(annel)" is NOT used for transferring data between
the instrument and computer. It is used for auditioning and
developing sounds. In most instances, this parameter should be
set to the instrument's basic MIDI channel. For Roland multi-part
equipment, the MIDI channel used should be the same as that for
part #1 of the instrument. To set the "MIDI Ch", (1) click on the
"MIDI Ch" and hold the mouse button down. (2) Drag the mouse
left/right to match the "MIDI Ch" to the instrument.

Set the Port I/O
----------------

The Port I/O parameters are used only by the MAC and Yamaha C1.
They determine the ports to which the instrument is connected. To
set the "Port I/O", (1) click on the Port I(Nput)". (2) Drag the
mouse left/right to set the input port to that used by the
instrument. (3) click on the "Port O(UTput)". (4) Drag the mouse
left/right to set the output port to that used by the instrument.
Note: these parameters are disabled on other systems. Proceed to
the next step.

Set the Patch #
---------------

The Patch # is used to select one item from a range of
possibilities. For example, the "Casio CZ Patch" driver can be
used to load 1 of up to 32 different patches. The Patch # selects
which patch is loaded. To set the "Patch #", (1) click on the
"Pch #". (2) Drag the mouse left/right to select the patch you
wish to load. Note: this parameter is only available on some
instrument drivers.

Set the Cntrl #
---------------

The Ctl # is used to automate control of your patch bay. For the
duration of the tutorial, we suggest you connect your instruments
directly to your computer. For information on controlling your
patch bay, see the "Driver List" chapter.

Loading a Bank from an Instrument
---------------------------------

If you have followed the above steps correctly, you should now be
ready to load and display a patch bank from an instrument. The
driver is already highlighted. Select `Edit' at the top of the
Driver List Window. MIDI QUEST will request most instruments to
dump data. The data will appear in a Bank Editor Window. If the
data does not appear, follow the special instructions provided by
the Driver's Fast Tips.

If the MIDI I/O Window remains open with `Wait' active, the
instrument has not responded. This is usually because: (1) the
computer and instrument MIDI cables are not properly connected.
(2) The driver's Communication Channel driver does not match the
instrument's channel. (3) The instrument is currently ignoring
SysX dump requests (the instrument's SysX switch must be enabled
- read Fast Tips). (4) PC users: the interrupt selected when
first starting MIDI QUEST does not match the actual interrupt
used by the MPU compatible hardware.

If an error message appears, check the "Common Errors" chapter of
the manual and Fast Tips for any additional information.

PC Users: if you get a "SysX missing Bytes" error message while
attempting to load data, try choosing "Special/MPU Dumb Receive".
Now retry the dump. If the dump works, choose "Options/Save
Preferences" to save the setting.

Set Remaining Drivers and Save Your Driver List
-----------------------------------------------

Now that you have successfully communicated with one instrument,
we suggest you return to the driver list and set up all remaining
drivers. Save the list by (1) clicking on the Driver List Window
to activate it, (2) choosing "Files/Save" [S]. Next time you use
MIDI QUEST, your Driver List will be ready. See the "Driver List"
chapter for more information.

Sending a Bank to an Instrument
-------------------------------

To send a bank (or other data in a window) back to an instrument,
(1) click the mouse anywhere in the Bank Editor Window (this
activates the window). (2) Choose "Files/Data to Instrument" [M].

Saving a Bank to Disk
---------------------

To save a bank to disk, (1) click on the Bank Editor Window (this
activates the window). (2) Choose "Files/Save As..." [A]. (3) Use
the File Selector to name the Bank. (4) Select `Ok' or `Save'.

Note: The MAC, ATARI ST, and WINDOWS versions each use their own
Standard File Selector for saving data. The AMIGA and PC (and
optionally the ATARI ST) use Sound Quest's File Selector.

Loading the Bank from Disk
--------------------------

You may open as many windows as memory will permit. To load the
saved bank from disk into memory, (1) choose "Tools/Open Editor
from Disk". (2) Use the File Selector to select a bank. (3)
Select `Ok' or `Open'.

Auditioning a Patch in a Bank
-----------------------------

To audition sounds in the bank, (1) click once on a patch in a
bank. (2) To hear the sound played, click again on the same
patch. This is a very easy way to hear different sounds in the
bank.

If no sound is heard, or another instrument is played, the `MIDI
Ch(annel)' is not correctly set. To change the Bank's MIDI
Channel, (1) choose "Bank Edit/Update". This displays the data's
default settings. (2) Select the channel beside `MIDI', delete
it, and enter your instrument's MIDI Channel. (3) Press <RETURN>
(You MUST do this to enter the new channel). (4) Select `Exit' to
return to editing. (5) Click twice on the patch to audition.

Creating new Patches with Mix All
---------------------------------

To create a new bank of sounds, (1) hold down the SHIFT (PC ALT)
key and select two or more patches to mix. (2) Choose "Bank
Edit/Mix All" [.]. (3) The cursor becomes a `Wait' icon. (4) MIDI
QUEST creates a new bank of patches and displays them on screen.
The length of time taken to perform this function will depend on
the size of each new patch being created and the speed of your
computer. On a slow system with large data, a new bank can take
several minutes. Usually only 30 - 40 seconds are required. Note:
read the "Bank Editor" chapter before using `Mix' and `Blend'.

Swap a Patch with a Patch in Another Bank
-----------------------------------------

If you have followed the previous instructions, there should be
at least two banks on the screen. To swap two patches between
banks, (1) select a source patch. (2) Hold down the mouse button.
(3) Drag the mouse over a patch in the destination bank. (4)
Release the mouse. AMIGA Users only: for the swap to be
successful, there must be no other window underneath the
destination bank.

Swap a Patch in the Same Bank
-----------------------------

To swap two patches in the same bank, (1) hold down the SHIFT and
ALT (PC ALT & CNTRL) keys. (2) Select the source patch. (3) Hold
down the mouse button and drag the mouse over the destination
patch. (4) Release the mouse.

Edit a Patch in a Bank
----------------------

To edit a patch in the bank, (1) select the patch you wish edit.
(2) Choose "Bank Edit/Edit" [E]. This opens the individual editor
for the selected patch. If an error message is displayed, please
read the "Bank Editor" chapter.

Patch parameters can be edited in any one of the following three
ways. (1) Click the mouse on the parameter you wish to edit and
drag the mouse left/right. (2) Click the mouse on the parameter
you wish to edit. Type in the desired value from the numbers
across the top of the keyboard. Press <RETURN>. (3) Click the
mouse on the parameter you wish to edit. Use the `<' and `>' keys
to incrementally change the value of the parameter.

Special Notes on MIDI QUEST
---------------------------

This tutorial covers just a small portion of the capabilities of
MIDI QUEST. The manual continues to provide step-by-step
instructions on using MIDI QUEST.

During operations, MIDI QUEST uses an adjustable second menu
strip. The contents of the second menu strip depends on which
window is currently active. When the Driver List Window is
activated, a `Drivers' menu is displayed. When the Bank Editor
Window is activated, a `Bank Edit' menu is displayed. An
activated Data Base Window displays a `Data Base' menu, and so
on. The options found in each of these menus are unique to the
particular type of menu.