| Title: | * * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * * |
| Notice: | Conference has been write-locked. Use new version. |
| Moderator: | DYPSS1::SCHAFER |
| Created: | Thu Feb 20 1986 |
| Last Modified: | Mon Aug 29 1994 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 2852 |
| Total number of notes: | 33157 |
Please excuse me for starting yet another new note regarding IBM PCs, but I think we need more of a one-stop note for the kind of questions I have. I've looked at dir/key=ibm ------ Assume I have decided for various reasons that if I'm going to buy (finally) a home computer, it's going to be an IBM PC clone. Or whatever they're calling MS-DOS/MS-WINDOWS or OS/2 systems with Intel chips in them these days. I have a bunch of questions, so answer whichever of them you want. ------ Part I: What is the best sequencing software for the PC: (or what are the top 3) ? How much PC do I need for sequencing and midi applications: Which CPU Chip ? How much memory ? How much disk ? How many exp. slots should I look for ? How much (#watts) power supply ? What kind of display ? Which is the best midi interface for a PC ? (or what are the top 3) ? What operating system do I want ? Is OS/2 just "out" ? Which seq. packages require MS/WINDOWS ? Which won't work under it ? How do DEC's PC offerings stack up against the market, and the requirements above ? Please read the "DESKTOP TIMES" flyer in your mailbox on the new Desktop Direct program before you answer this. ------ Part II: (please consider this the less important set of questions: for "futures") How would the above system software and hardware requirements change if I wanted to use my PC for sampling, or for direct-to-disk recording and digital mixing/mastering ? What are the best current commercial products for these applications (h/w and s/w) ? Would I be better off dedicating a system to this kind of application and using a separate system for sequencing, etc ? I don't ask much, do I ? 8-)
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2844.1 | Look in other notes.... | BSS::STPALY::MOLLER | Fix it before it breaks | Wed Feb 12 1992 20:32 | 27 |
See the recent note about MIDIcards for the PC for that info. The same note talks about poular sequencers. The sound blaster boards have A/D and D/A's on them, but not of the quality need for CD production. Look around this notes file for notes about digital recording. Many of these systems will sync to SIMPTE from your sequencer. If you plan on anything complex you need a 386sx or better. 1 meg of memory is all that most of the sequencer software will know how to use at this point (but don't let this stop you from buying more). I'm writing software that will use many of the more common MIDI interfaces, but as you might suspect, there are all sorts of restrictions based on the gear that you have. If you need SIMPTE, you need to have a high end MIDI CARD, so expect to spend $300 or more just for the card and the assorted cables (you get to buy software after this). If you want to hack your own code, Voyetra sells a development kit for $35.00 that will let you write your own C programs to do whatever you like. If you buy the V22 card, it is upgradable by just buying and pluging in other modules, but not very many software packages will work with it unless you also but the MPU401 option (also plugs in). There are advantages to each solution, but I can't stress enough that you should plan to buy what you will really need, otherwise you are throwing your money away. If you have too much money, please send your excess to me. Send me Email offline if you want to discuss MIDI on MSDOS PC's further. | |||||