Club Amiga de Montreal - CAM/CAM_CD_1.iso/files/202.lha/MidiRouter_v0.1/Intro.doc

Text File | 1988-12-28 | 12.6 KB | 267 lines

Description of Product:
-----------------------

This Disk contains a Demo of the soon to be released product "MidiRouter"
and utilities written by Miles Eddy.  "MidiRouter" is an Icon based patch
panel of modules written for the MIDI route passing system "MidiLib" by
Bill Barton.  It allows routes to be added between different utility
modules.  As part of MidiLib, multiple routes can be connected and each
route may have a different note transpose, channel shift, or message
filtering for note, after touch, program change, pitch wheel, control
change, or system exclusive message.  Control and system exclusive
messages may be further filtered.  MidiRouter provides the management of
these routes and filtering for the routes displayed.  MidiRouter will save
environments not only of routes but of all presets saved in other utility
modules.  See Bill Bartons documentation on MidiLib for more information
on routes.  This version of MidiRouter will use only MidiLib nodes that
have an icon.

SplitNote is a utility module that will run as a stand alone program, as
part of MidiRouter, or connect with other MidiLib modules not necessarily
written for MidiRouter.

SSBridge is a utility module for both MidiRouter and the SoundScape
sequencer, written by Todar Fay and copyright Mimetics.  This module
will create a node for MidiLib so that ANY module written will have
a path to SoundScape.  When used with MidiRouter, SoundScape will act like
any other module!

Not all the above features are provided in this demo, but most are.


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

    If you are like me, you don't want to spend allot of time reading how
to use something.  You just want to push the button and have it work.
So if you want to get started, see Read.Me and then double
click on the MidiRouter icon.  If you want to be
able to set split points, double click on the SplitNote icon.  If
you have SoundScape, you may link in MidiRouter with its module SplitPoint
to the SoundScape patch panel with the program "SSBridge".  Double click
on the SSBridge icon to start SoundScape and include a Node to communicate
with Bill Bartons MidiLib.  There will be more said about how to use these
programs later.  Actually, the documentation for this demo is going to
be some what incomplete.  Please read my comments on copy protection.


About the Author
----------------

My name is Miles Eddy.  Ever since my first experience with the world
of electronic music in college, I have been driven to enhance my musical
abilities with my knowledge of technology. Having completed my degree
in computer science, of which 22 credit hours were for independent study
projects building, modifying, and programing music equipment, I did what
any college graduate does; I got a job.  Two years later I hit the road
to persue two of my other loves.  I am a professional juggler doing mostly
renaissance festivals.  During all this time I have been working when
I can on my music, mostly on building the tools I feel I need to compose
music the way _I_ want to.  In the last 8 months I have been more focused
and directed to complete not my first, but my forth major piece of MIDI
software for the Amiga.  The first three I still have and you may see a more
developed version some time in the future.  When SoundScape entered the
scene, I saw a new direction in where I could take my own software, and
thus take one more step in my goal of merging my programming skills with my
music. SoundScape provided the means
to connect different MIDI functions in a module form. Modular designs have
always provided great power and flexibility from the ARP-2600 synthesizer
to any computer program.  So I started writing SoundScape utilities.  I
completed five modules, one of which is provided on this disk except
written for MidiRouter.  Then I discovered a FATAL error in my plans.  For
some reason I still haven't figured out, the utilities "Guru" when used
with the tape deck.  I believe the problem may have something to do with
the Aztec linker, but I really don't know.  At about this time I discovered
Bill Barton's MidiLib.  These routines provided the basic mechanism
I needed for my utilities. But there was no route manager, and thus,
MidiRouter was born.  This program provides everything needed to add, edit,
and monitor routes created for MidiLib.  This program alone with only
MidiIn and MidiOut I have found very useful for adding chords, filtering
unwanted data, adding an OMNI mode for my guitar MIDI controller, etc.

MidiRouter is only the base to build on.  It is not meant to be a product
by itself.  The real power and vision of my software hasn't even begun.
There are three main parts of my motivation.  First and formost is my
music.  My vision is this:

    To be able to capture the music in my head in real time. To have
    access to all the power of my equipment from my controllers only, and
    be able to change setups while I am still playing.

Second, I wish to share my knowledge of MIDI and contribute to the
growing list of PD programs, of which I use so many. (Although this demo is
free, it is not PD.)

Third, I wish to start a company.


Purpose of this Demo
--------------------

As I have just said, I wish to own a company that will have a real impact
in the MIDI industry.  This Demo has several purposes. First, it is not
a promise of anything I will deliver later.  I am just not to the point
yet that I can know anything for sure.  I see this project being about
80% done.  I wish to invite you to share in the direction of this software.
For two years people have been waiting for utilities for SoundScape
and music software in general for the Amiga. To this day, the Amiga has
only show a fraction of its power for the MIDI musician.  Actually, I
believe that only now the MIDI industry as a whole is developing tools
utilizing the
power of MIDI.  In looking around at what computers are being used for
MIDI, the Amiga is still barely on the list.  This is a real problem
for someone who has spent the last two years programming for the Amiga. I
have been told that the solution for that is to "Create your own market".
This is exactly what I would like to do.

    ** The purpose of the demo is primarily for your feedback. **

I still have allot of work to do to be able to have the organization of
my own system.  I have an ESQ-m, RX11 drum machine, and am using a DX7
primarily as a controller.  I also have an Poly800 but need new ROM's to
be able to use it with SYS-X.  I will be writing a Utility disk for these
modules.  I need to know what you have and the kinds of modules you would
like to see.  In this way, I hope to provide a service to the MIDI industry
that I see is desperately needed.  The idea is this:
In a few weeks, I will have a template to write modules similar to the
SplitNote program.  This means that I can write new modules in two or
three days or less, depending of the function of the module.  I hope to
be able to write YOUR custom module for you.  I see it working something
like this:

    Basic Utility disk price: $79
        A Utility disk would include several modules.  This first disk
        will be MidiRouter, SplitNote, SSBridge, HoldChord, and maybe
            two other modules.
    Price for one custom utility module $50.

Once I have programmed several custom modules I could put 3-8 on a disk
and sell as another utility disk.  In this way you get something specifically
for your needs, others get more utilities to choose from, and I have a way
to make some of the money I need to continue.

Keep in mind that most of this I consider just ideas.  I have never been
one who liked to talk allot about what isn't done.  What is done looks
real good.  But I am only one person and the need for money will once
again take me away from this project.  Allot of what I will do will depend
of the response I get.

I have included a page at the end of this file that will help me know
what your needs are.  Some of the questions are to help guide me on the
direction of the software and others are just because I am interested.
I have heard there are some who do not like putting down there address
on a list of equipment they own.  I understand this and would like to
say that this list will be confidential.  Consider every
question optional but if you use this software please send me at least
your name.  I am also in the process of setting up a "Midi Age" message
area on "Musician Den".  This will be another great place that we can
keep in touch.  See the Read.Me file for information on this BBS.


A Word about Copy Protection
----------------------------

I have spent allot of time thinking and talking about copy protection.  First,
the amount of software STEALING has gotten to the point that entire
companies are going out of business because people are not paying for the
software they use.  In my case, my company will never get off the ground
if I do not have the money I need.  This is how this whole subject of
copy protection got started.  In talking with other people and for that
matter, my own view on copy protection, copy protected disks 1) don't
work for long, 2) make the software harder to use, 3) does not allow
the user to configur a system to his/her own needs.  The advice I got
and choose to implement is to 1) do not copy protect, 2) provide the
software at an affordable price, 3) put the documentation in
a glued bound book for maximum copy protection of at least the documentation.
I believe that documentation should be online and that the program should
be designed in such a way that minimal documentation is needed. But
documentation is the only form of copy protection I wish to use.  I hope
to be available for help, thou, if you call the "Musicians Den" BBS.
(see Read.Me for number).


Of course, this whole subject of copy protection does not apply to this
demo.  I want this demo to be on every computer BBS with a music interest.
I want everyone to feel free to use this software for there needs.  But
since copy protection is such a touchy subject these days, I wanted
to let you know where I stand.


A final message
---------------

I am only a phone call/letter/BBS call away! If you have any help, questions
or feed back, please contact me.

            Thank you and may you have Peace in your life.
            Miles Eddy
            Midi Age Software
            [phone]
            1650 E. Cambridge #5139     OR     PO Box 3562
            Phoenix, AZ. 85006                 Littleton, CO. 80161-3562
            (Before 6-1-89)


Questionnaire:

This questionnaire has several purposes.  First, it assumes that you wish
to be informed of any products I complete.  By sending me your address,
I will let you know what progress I have made and will have a way to let
you know if my address has changed (My PO. box should always be good!).
Second, I wish to provide utilities that address the needs of the
MIDI industry. My point of view has always been, and will continue to
be for a while, if I write software that helps me with my composing,
it should be helpful to others too.  The first couple of utility disk
will be for my needs.  After that, it is your ideas and desires I
wish to implement.  If you prefer, you may leave your name in the
"Midi Age" message area of "Musicians Snowbird Den".  I ask that if you
use this software that you at least let me know your name.  Thanks and
good sailing!

Please fill out this form and send it to:

    Midi Age Software                      Midi Age Software
    c/o Miles Eddy                   OR    c/o Miles Eddy
    P.O Box 3562                           1650 E. Cambridge #5139
    Littleton, COLO. 80161-3562            Phoenix, AZ. 85006
                                           [phone]
                                           Before 6-1-89
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please Print or type)
Name            :
and             :
Mailing address :
Phone            :
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MIDI Synthesizers you own:


MIDI Drum machines:

Stand alone sequencers:

MIDI controlled effect units:

Other MIDI gear (lights, mixers, etc.):

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Do you own an AMIGA?
Do you own SoundScape:
Have you ever heard of Bill Barton's MidiLib?
Do you have any MidiLib utilities?
What AMIGA MIDI software do you use?


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Other computer(s) you own:

Other MIDI software:

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What kind of software have you hard of and have been waiting for?

What kind of MIDI modules would like to see.