MIDI on AT&T PC 6300

[John Boggs]

In article <7046 at ihlpa.ATT.COM>, rwn at ihlpa.ATT.COM (Bob Neumann) writes:
> 
> We are working on a new application of this program that hopefully
> will be realised within the next few months.  The current working title 
> for this new series of talks/demonstrations is "Computers and Technology
> in Music".  What is planned is a demonstration of MIDI, sequencing,
> and any other possible musical application, especially those applications
> that have roots in Bell Labs technologies, such as vocoders and 
> digital synthesis.
> 
> Our first problem is getting a working midi/sequencing system up and
> running on an AT&T PC 6300, which is the system that the Student
> Challenge Program has reserved for the demonstrations.
> 
> Are there any professional or semi-professional quality sequencing
> programs that can be recommended that we can try on the 6300?
> A public domain program that is free would be great, but if funds have to
> be appropriated what software package is the easiest to use and reliable?
> We would like to do multi-track sequencing, quantization, grouping
> of sequences/sections into "songs", and playback over selected MIDI 
> channels, yet the operations of the sequencer should be easy for a 
> 7th, 8th, or high school student to understand after a short 
> demonstration. (Students working hands-on with the system is a
> possibility).  Prices???
> 

I think most any IBM PC compatible software will run on the AT&T machine
but I don't have any personal experience with it.  I use Veyetra Technologies'
Sequencer Plus Mark III on my XT clone.  This system is expensive (about $400)
but they make a $99 version called Mark I.  It's a 16-track sequencer with all
the features and user friendliness you could want. There are lots of other
systems available.  You might want to pick up a copy of Keyboard Magazine,
Music Technology Magazine, or Electronic Musician Magazine to look at ads.

> We will also need a Midi interface for the 6300.  In, out, and through
> should be all that we need for the moment.  Which interface is the most
> cost effective, yet well built, since this syetm will be moved around a 
> lot for these demonstrations.  And, how much will it cost?
> 
> Is the Roland MPU-401 (sp??) still the best that everyone uses, or are 
> there other interfaces that we should consider?

I personnally use the MPU-401 because it has a tape sync interface and other
features which I find very useful.  It is expensive, though.  Voyetra also
markets an interface board called the OP-4001.  This is supposed to be fully
compatible with the MPU-401 but resides completely on a board inside the PC.
The MPU uses an interface card in the motherboard cabled to a separate box,
making it more cumbersome to move about and set up.  The OP-4001 is also less
expensive but I don't have the exact cost.

> I appreciate any help that I can get on this.  
> 
Hope this helps.  Sounds like a fun project.

-- 
John Boggs

McDonnell Douglas - Inco, Inc.
McLean, Virginia, USA