Conference napalm::commusic_v1

2828.0. "Playback (Standard MIDI File Player Software)" by RGB::ROST (Ashley Hutchings wannabe) Fri Jan 17 1992 13:46

    From USENET.  A soon-to-be-available public domain program that plays
    back standard MIDI files.  
    
From: johnj@echo.philips.nl (John Janssen)
Subject: MIDIFILE player program
Date: 16 Jan 92 12:57:15 GMT
Hi everybody,
 
I post this mail to the net, as I received some mails asking
about the status of the MIDIFILE play program which I am 
programming.
 
Yes, I am still busy making this midi program.
Yes, version 1.0 will be public domain!
Yes, the program comes with a help function,
however a manual can be ordered (see below).
I think beta testing (using vesion 0.9) will start begin februari,
and that 1.0 will be sent via usenet later that month.
 
#DEFINE   ATARI_ST  ON
As the initial program is written for atari st, I will try to 
get it distributed via comp.binaries.atari.st and then to be
placed on atari.archive.
#DEFINE   ATARI_ST  OFF
 
#DEFINE   MS-DOS  ON
After finishing it for atari st, I planned to port it to MS-DOS too.
For use with MPU-401 interface (dumb mode).
The program also comes with a description how to make your own 
(minimum) midi interface which is sufficient for this program.
If someone sends me programming details about pc-midi interfaces,
I might include those as well.
I think, I will start porting in april.
#DEFINE   MS-DOS  OFF
 
 
For those who missed the initial posting in december, here is some 
information again:
 
The program is very nice for people who wants to do something
with computers and midi, but do not know what software to buy.
It gives you some ideas of the possibilities.
However, it also handy for people who already have midiprograms
(like me) and wants to spread his songs to other people (E.g.
for rehearsings) not having those nice professional midiprograms
with their hardware protections (keys, dongles, etc).
Furthermore, it is just fun!
There are loads of midifiles around on BBS boards and on 
public domain floppies, which can be used by this program.
 
#DEFINE   ATARI_ST  ON
The program uses gem (on atari) and is fully mouse driven.
It can be run in color (medium resolution) and monochrome (high res.).
It will probably work with the newer screen modes as well, but I
have no possibility to test it.
#DEFINE   ATARI_ST  OFF
 
The program can play the songs stored in midifile format 0 and 1 (*.MID).
When format 0 midifile is loaded, midi events using different 
midi channels will be handled as being on different tracks.
The program can handle up to 99 tracks.
The program allows certain events to be filtered.
Tracks can be muted.
Each track can be assigned to a midi channel for fast converting.
Each track can initialise the sound by transmitting a program change event.
Each track can initialise volume setting of the connected midi device.
Each track can have its notes transposed.
Each track can have its notes converted via mapping (for drum tracks).
The program holds two mappings which can be modified, loaded and saved.
Each track can be analysed with an event editor showing all the midifile
events loaded (incl. all midifile specific stuff like meta events).
Tempo of the song can be initialised.
Tempo of the song can be relatively changed (still following all 
tempo changes which might be in the midifile already).
 
Some planned features for future versions of the program are:
 
Files can be saved, having the midifile format converted.
Changes can be made to events in the event editor.
During midifile loading, events can be filtered for min. memory usage.
Auto start playing midifile(s) at start-up of the program.
....
 
As written above, the program includes a help function
which gives some information how to use the program.
However, I am writing a manual (in English, German and Dutch)
which goes in the details of the program and gives hints how 
to use the program in a practical way. The manual comes with 
appendixes, including the following:
- An introduction for novice midi users;
- A list and explination of midi events;
- An explination (in detail) of midifiles.
 
The program is free, but not the manual (but, as said before, 
you do not necessarily need the manual to use the program).
 
Oh yeah, I forgot:
The name of the program will be:  PLAYBACK.
 
More news will follow next month when distributed.
 
John
--
-- 
 
--
John Janssen         Email: johnj@echo.philips.nl
The Netherlands

	I've got a working prototype that does this for MSDOS using
	any of MPU401, V22/V24, PAIA interface & Soundblaster MIDI port.
	Once it's a little more polished, I'd planned on loading it
	up to the MIDILIB area. I've also got a generic SYSEX dumper/sender
	running for the same interfaces. All will be available as a package.
	The only problem may be if you don't have the Voyetra Driver handly
	(it comes with the V22/V24 and PAIA cards, as well as all of the
	Soundblasters - if you get the MIDI option), it won't work, and
	I can't give that away, so while it may work with an MPU401, if
	you don't have the driver, it won't work at all. I need to work
	this out with Voyetra (ie, you may have to order a disk from me
	and pay a royalty on the driver - we are talking less than $10.00
	total). No sources will be distributed, only .EXE's. All of my
	utility EXE's will be free (freeware).

	This was fairly easy to implement (reading & playing MIDI files,
	and managing SYSEX files); however, all of the code is in Turbo
	C++, and I doubt that it will run on anything less than a 286 based
	system (I'm developing this on a 386sx with 1 meg of memory).

							Jens