Apple MIDI Interface

[sambapati87]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120504889362&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123

I'm not really sure what to do with this, but I had never seen or heard of it before so I snagged it up (and the price was right). Any suggestions for MIDI software for older macs? Synthesizers, etc.? That would certainly be a unique instrument to play... :?:

 

[Gil]

Any suggestions for MIDI software for older macs?

Performer or Digital Performer is by far the best, IMO. Performer handles MIDI only, while Digital Performer handles MIDI as well as audio.

 

[LCGuy]

I have a third party MIDI interface...neat to have, but ultimately useless unless you're planning to connect musical instruments to your Mac.

 

[sambapati87]

I have an older MIDI enabled keyboard + I was thinking of getting a newer 1 or 2 octave controller. Most of those are USB but I think there are a couple that have raw MIDI as well.

 

[Toni_]

Any suggestions for MIDI software for older macs? Synthesizers, etc.? That would certainly be a unique instrument to play... :?:

I have used my Mac Midiman interface (which looks similar to that one) with my PowerBook Duo (7.5.3) to play MIDI files on my synthesizer. What you need is:

* A good synthesizer (such as Yamaha PSR that I used)

* OMS (Open Music System) Extension (here)

* A midi player (such as Arnold's MIDI player that I used)

With that setup, you can play any MIDI file on your mac and the music will play through your external synthesizer. Back in early 90's that was really cool! (And still is )

 

[QuadSix50]

my Mac Midiman interface

I have that same interface, albeit with black text all over it. Still works well.

 

[agg23]

I have used my Mac Midiman interface (which looks similar to that one) with my PowerBook Duo (7.5.3) to play MIDI files on my synthesizer.

I also have the Mac MidiMan. If only I could find it.....

 

[Bunsen]

If you're thinking about getting a new controller ~and~ a sound module, consider a Yamaha CS1X or AN1X. Both have a good rep as reliable, versatile controllers as well as a good range of sounds. I think they both have follow on models with a 2 where the 1 is.

Best place for gear reviews is sonicstate.com/synth or /studio

There are quite a few keyboards and modules from the 90s that have a "PC/Mac" input - which is (ta-daaa!) an 8 pin miniDIN serial port. One of them and you don't even need the Mac MIDI interface, just a modem/printer cable. Some of them will even pass signals back and forth between that port and their own MIDI ports, acting as an interface to other gear.

 

[Bunsen]

Arnold's is just a file player though, right? If you want to sequence (write/arrange) your own songs, you need a fullblown sequencer. There's a shareware one called Timidity which IIRC runs on 68ks, 040s at least. Otherwise have a look for an old copy of Logic or Cubase. You can get ones that will run all the way back to the 128k.

You're aware that "MIDI software" won't play any sounds on its own right? MIDI just being a serial control language; it sends signals to a synth or sampler (which can also be software in the same box, or external hardware). Apple's QuickTime Musical Instruments are an example.

What Mac/s are you looking at for this?

 

[sambapati87]

What I really just want to do is "play" a Mac as a software synthesizer. The older, the better, as I'd think the "lower quality" synths would be more unique. I can go as old as an SE or as new (classic wise) as a 7200. When this comes in and the holidays settle down I'll give it a try.

I have a USB MIDI interface, just looking for different sounds.

 

[netfreak]

Back before I really knew what MIDI was, I was running a really old keyboard on a 486. It was this product: http://www.oldsoftware.com/MusicStar.html

Years later I dug up this thing from storage and hooked it up to the MIDI port on a Korg MS2000R synthesizer (rackmount version of the MS2000, so no built in keyboard) and it was pretty fun. Many modern basic consumer keyboards you find at places like Radioshack also use MIDI input/output, as I picked up a larger Yamaha keyboard to use on the synthesizer instead of the smaller MusicStar keyboard. Also added a Korg Electribe ER-1 beat machine into the mix and it was crazy what you could do with all of it. For modern computer use, you can pretty much get all of these and the older synths as VST plugins for use with software like Cubase. I think I have some older 68K MIDI software on my server but most of that stuff is before my time.

 

[Christopher]

Look up Nord, Korg, or the Yamaha S90(specifically) for a really nice keyboard/synth.

 

[QuadSix50]

The S-series from Yamaha is nice. I have the more inexpensive S08. 88 fully-weighted keys and some nice sounds built-in. Programmable too, but I haven't delved into that yet on this synth like I have with my Kawai K4. The S08 also makes a great MIDI controller.

 

[Bunsen]

What I really just want to do is "play" a Mac as a software synthesizer. The older, the better, as I'd think the "lower quality" synths would be more unique.

The only uniqueness you'll get out of an older Mac is the crunchy 8 bit 11/22KHz sample rate. They're not unique in the way an Atari POKEY or Commodore SID chip is.

Super Studio Session will do something like that, though.

If you want to try something odd, get a Digidesign Audiomedia card and a copy of Turbosynth. It's a modular synth program that runs on the DSP on the Audiomedia, kind of like the Nord Modular except onboard. That said, it's probably nothing you couldn't achieve on newer hardware with less hassle.

Also: viewtopic.php?t=1664

 

[beachycove]

I have been thinking of getting the (teen-aged) girls a super-duper keyboard for piano (they are in the Royal Conservatory program), partly as the family piano is truly showing its 100+ years age, and partly in order to encourage them to play/ practice. However, this thread has sparked the idea of getting a cheaper midi keyboard and harnessing one of my Apple machines instead. I could likely do that for $300-500 rather than $3000-5000. So this thread is, shall we say, of existential interest.

I can no doubt handle the keyboard part; what I'd want above all else is something with a natural keyboard action — and obviously also something with a driver for OSX. I would likely buy used, as who knows whether the kids would take to it? I can readily begin to look for a midi that fits these requirements.

But what would be the best music application to use on a stock (450MHz) G4 Cube? (At a pinch, it is possible also to work with a G5 iMac.) Is GarageBand the bees' knees or are there better options?

Sorry for asking, but a) I am not musical myself and B) I know zippo about this side of the computers that surround. The posts in this thread, however, are informed, so I would be grateful for advice.

 

[Bunsen]

(they are in the Royal Conservatory program)

Congrats!

a natural keyboard action

You mean like a fully piano weighted controller keyboard, because that's what they're training/trained on? Or just a "good", non-weighted action?

— and obviously also something with a driver for OSX

Mmm, not sure "driver" really applies here. If it's MIDI, it'll be handled by a MIDI app, and MIDI doesn't care (or know) what OS it's dealing with. You mean does it have a native Mac editor for its internal sounds, if it has any?

But what would be the best music application

"Music application" covers a lot of ground. Depends what you mean by that. What do you want it to do?

Sorry to answer your questions with more questions! Just wanna hone in a bit tighter on the details.

 

[beachycove]

I am merely looking for a piano replacement that will let them play with some synthesizer-like effects. But keyboard action is the key.

I took a further peek and evidently GarageBand can do most of the work on the software side. I have it on iLife 2006, which runs on the Cube. But for the keyboard, does it matter whether the thing has a usb connection? Or do the midi-usb converters work just fine?

 

[QuadSix50]

MIDI can be transfered either via USB or via a MIDI-to-USB interface. I've used my synths both ways with GarageBand.

 

[Bunsen]

I am merely looking for a piano replacement that will let them play with some synthesizer-like effects. But keyboard action is the key.

Still doesn't answer the question. Do you need a piano weighted keyboard? Or just any old "good" keyboard? Because there's a huge difference in cost. Maybe ask the girls if they're bothered either way.

The cheapest piano weighted controllers are probably those from CME. They're a newish company in the West, made in China for cheap, but have a pretty good rep for reliability and build quality (the phrase "built like a tank" comes to mind). Yamaha Roland and Korg probably make some too, but it's not something I've looked into for a while, and they tend towards the expensive (as in upper hundreds into thousands).

Off the top of my head, the best cheapish ($100-$500) and readily available second hand keyboards as far as the actual keyboard action goes (non-piano weighted) are:

Yamaha DX-7

Yamaha CS1X, CS2x, AN1X, AN2X

Roland D series

Ensoniq Mirage, ESQ-1, EPS series

Out of those, I'd probably recommend the Yamaha CS/AN series. Good keys, good rep, range of knobs, nifty internal sounds with editing. The AN does analog synth modelling (ie DSP simulated analog synth noises), the CS more like a General MIDI soundset, but with good tweaking options. You can probably pick up a Roland D50 for next to nothing, as no-one much cares for their internal sounds these days. Good keys, no knobs.

But you could also probably pick up a decent new or used dumb controller (ie no internal sounds, just a keyboard and a few software assignable knobs, and all sounds generated in the Mac) from M-Audio, Roland/Edirol, Yamaha or a few other manufacturers who escape my mind at the moment. Check sonicstate/studio for reviews. (Also $100-$500 with $200-$300 being typical, new with warranty and a software bundle)

does it matter whether the thing has a usb connection? Or do the midi-usb converters work just fine?

Nope, and yep. The only difference is the extra cost of a USB-MIDI converter, which you could otherwise roll into your keyboard budget. Some of the kbs with USB and MIDI ports can also act as an interface between your computer and other MIDI gear, should you decide you need any later on, but that's probably not a huge priority for you.

All of the above is off the top of my head and I encourage you to confirm or refute it with your own research. I hope it gives you a useful start though.