Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    
    me me me!
    
    see if its better than mine. I built one when I was 10.
    

    me too !  Uploading to my uVAX would beat the hell out of saving
    to cassettes.  All that non-real-time stuff should be simple to
    implement too.  Have you looked at the ESQ's midi implementation
    ?  You can emulate pressing any button on the the synth, among
    other things.  Neat.
    
    						-Jeff
    

    I'm definitely interested. Lets see if how it compares to what I've
    put down on paper, but haven't had time to build.
    
    BTW - I'd appreciate if you would drop it inter-office mail since 
    I'm a almost 700 miles from where a good deal of you folks reside.
    
    	    	Location code is AOO

    Thanks in advance........
    -TomR-

    My interoffice mail address is LKG1-2/A19  Thanx.

    Thanks.  I got the article from transoniq hacker (TS)
    
    If I understand it correctly, this circuit depends on the ability
    of the Ensoniq Mirage (don't got one) to change the speed of the
    Midi interface to something lower (the magic "parameter 73") than
    the midi standard, under the control of the "Mini Monitor" from
    Upward Concepts.
    
    So this pretty obviously puts us non-mirage owners (for now) out
    in the cold.  Can anyone (please) poke holes in my analysis ?
    
    Are there any "tur(n)key" RS232 to Midi converters available on
    the market ?  What I have in mind for an application is a simple
    voice/sequence librarian for the ESQ-1.  I don't expect to ever
    implement any real-time functions this way, since I'll be using
    a timesharing system on the RS232 side.  

    If you're trying to send data over long-distance telephone lines
    you will need some kind of error checking.  To do error checking
    and recovery you will need a significant amount of intelligence
    at each end of the link, for example Kermit.  Kermit on the VAX
    is no problem, but putting Kermit into an RS232 to MIDI converter
    would be quite expensive.  For about the same price you could get
    a home computer with a MIDI interface, a modem, and the ability
    to run Kermit.
        John Sauter

    I have a VS-I with DZV-11 in my bedroom.  That's not the problem.
    Someday I will get a computer with a midi interface, but for now I
    would like to see if there is such a thing as a RS232 to MIDI
    converter.  It appears there is not.  Since the Midi speed is 
    higher than 9600 baud (Right ?), such a box would have to have a
    good sized buffer so it could store large amounts of data like system
    exclusive dumps.  Does anyone know of such a beast ?
    

    Right: MIDI speed is 31,250 bits per second, considerably faster
    than the 9600 bits per second on your DZV-11.  You will need to
    enable the alternate typeahead buffer to get VMS to handle long
    input messages at that rate.
    
    The longest message I know about is about 4096 bytes, for the DX7's
    system exclusive 32-patch dump.  I expect that samplers will have
    more data, but they may use smaller messages.  However, a sampler
    with smaller messages will wait for "Ack" or "Nak" after each message,
    and if it gets nothing it will assume "Ack" and send the next message.
    If you can't empty your buffer fast enough you will need lots of
    buffering.     
    
    Don't try to use this kind of speed convertor for real-time sequencing.
    Some people feel 31,250 bps is too slow--your system is more than
    a factor of 3 slower.
        John Sauter

    You could always buy a DZQ11 or when they come available a DHQ11..
    
    
    then you get 38.4K baud...all you need then is the RS-232 to MIDI
    converter. I know someone makes them I just can't remember who.
    
    dave

    Yeah, I know I really need a faster interface.
    
    But....
    
    Back in notes 162.* (particulary replies 8 and 11) people are
    talking about commercially available Midi-to-RS232 converters
    with extensive buffering capabilities that adapt to lower
    speed (9600) RS232 inferfaces.  Several brand names were mentioned.
    
    It's been almost 2 years since those notes were entered, and I know
    that the midi industry has been evolving *away* from such things,
    but I would like to know if anyone has any experience with the devices
    mentioned in 162.* or if anyone knows of any new developments in
    this area.
    
    Thanx in advance,
    						-Jeff
    

    
    Caught this on USENET....for those who still want RS-232 to MIDI:
    
From: tjt@cbnewsh.ATT.COM (timothy.j.thompson)
Subject: Re: MIDI <-> RS-232 Adapter
Date: 3 May 90 04:11:08 GMT
 
From article <24474@usc.edu>, by robiner@oberon.usc.edu (Steve Robiner):
> Does anyone out there know if a device to convert 38400 baud RS-232
> into the stardard MIDI exists? 
 
KEY Electronics Inc, 9112 Hwy 80 W. Suite 221, Fort Worth, TX 76116
1-800-533-MIDI or 1-817-560-1912.
 
They have a new product called the MIDIATOR MS-114, which appears to be
exactly what you want.  A serial port that runs at 300 to 38400 baud,
connected to a MIDI interface.  "Limited buffering on input. 38400 baud
required for continuous input without data loss."  Suggested Retail $229.95
I have no experience with it, I'm just reading the glossy.  Anyone
tried one?
 
       ...Tim...

    I have their "first" midiator, runs up to 9600 baud I think. It worked
    fine - I never tried swamp it. The software was fine and they sent free
    updates.
    
    I eventually bought a much more powerfull CLONE so I don't use it
    anymore.
    
    Neil