Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    Well, I have a Mac+ and a CZ-101. To connect them together I bought the
    Professional Musician package (not to be confused with Professional
    Composer from Mark of the Unicorn) from Musicworks, a company located in
    Boston (not to be confused with the product called MusicWorks for the
    Mac). The package included a very basic MIDI interface for the Mac made
    by Roland (?) which doesn't need +5 volts so it works fine with a Mac+
    without any power adaptor. It also included 2 MIDI cables. The software
    consists of MegaTrack XL (a quite powerful sequencer), MIDIWorks (will
    convert from Deluxe Music Construction Set, MusicWorks, ConcertWare, or
    Professional Composer format to MegaTrack XL format), and patch
    librarians for both Yamaha DX/TX and Casio CZ. The software is
    copy-protected and rather buggy, very powerful but feels somewhat rough
    and unfinished. I paid $250 for the package at the MacExpo. It might
    require 512K. Deluxe Music Construction Set will also use the MIDI
    interface to play on the CZ-101, but it has no provision for keyboard
    entry. I'm also still looking for a patch editor, or I might try to
    write one myself.

    A recent issue of the Computer Music Journal had a lengthy review of
    MIDI software for the Mac. Professional Performer by Mark of the Unicorn
    is perhaps the most popular (and nicest looking?) sequencer software.
    DMCS may be the best music editor. Opcode sells a complete line of
    sequencing software, patch librarians and editors, and interfaces.

    The CZ-101 is not a sampling keyboard. An inexpensive sampling keyboard
    like the Ensoniq Mirage is about 6 times the price of a CZ. There's a
    whole set of software packages for editing waveforms on the Mac for such
    keyboards which I currently know very little about. The Yamaha DX100 is
    the other really low-priced MIDI keyboard to consider. With MIDI cables
    and a MIDI interface, DMCS will drive any MIDI keyboard you buy. In
    fact if you only want to play from the Mac, you could look at a
    rack-mount MIDI synth like the FB01, which I guess is like 8 DX100s in a
    single unit with no keyboard.

    Good luck trying not to spend too much!

    Mark Herdeg

    Well, Dave, I've got a Mac as well. Assuming that the Music
    Construction set can send MIDI messages out one of the ports, modem
    or printer, then you need a MIDI interface device. Mine plugs into
    the modem port, is switch-and-hardware selectable as to thruput.
    It was made by OPCODE Systems 707 Urban Lane Palo Alto CA 94301
    (415)321-8977.
    
    I don't know the price because I purchased the Mac complete with
    sequencer software and MIDI interface hardware, used.
    
    karl moeller

    detail, original note:
    
    The CZ101 is not a sampler, so "or other sampler" is confused.
    
    The Casio sampler doesnt have midi, so if you meant that, no
    MacConnection is easy.
    
    Check out Fb01. Get a good demo and note 463, I think.
    
    rr
    

    re `FB01 is like 8 DX100's in a box'
    
    I believe it is more accurate to say it is like having 8 single-voice
    DX100's in a box.  The FB01 is multi-timbral, but only with a _total_
    of 8 voices at a time.  (Corrections are welcome - I don't have
    one, I jes' read 'bout 'em here...)
    
    Richard

    Thanks for the replies.  And beg my pardon on CZ101's inability
    to sample (I haven't played one or seen literature on it yet, so
    I didn't know.)
    
         Dave
    

Do you know anything about synthesizers?  If not, I recommend starting with
the CZ101 rather than the DX100 or FB01 due to its more regular (and analog-
like) architecture.  It uses the classical subtractive synthesis layout
(Osc -> Filter -> Amplifier) and is much easier to program.

Todd.