SE/30 as MIDI sequencer

[megabyte]

Hi all.

I'm collecting old rack synthesizers, samplers and so on. Is it possible to control all of them simultaneously from some kind of MIDI sequencing software?

As I know Atari ST had Steinberg Cubase which allows to record and playback a lot of MIDI-tracks. Could I use my SE/30 for making a music on my home retro-studio?

Thanks.

 

[blitter]

MOTU's Performer was the hot thing back in the SE/30's day. If you can find a working copy of it I'd say that's a good bet. The tougher part might be finding a MIDI interface for the Mac...

 

[BadGoldEagle]

Yeah sure you can use your SE/30 as a MIDI sequencer. You can even use your Plus/SE if you want.

Here's video proof:

There used to be MIDI PDS cards for the SE. No idea if such a thing existed for the 030 PDS...

But Serial MIDI boxes were available back in the day. Ebay is a good place to look for one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MIDI-Edge-For-Macintosh-SE-Plus-LC-ETC-Including-Cable-/262852459194?hash=item3d333a3aba:g:KL4AAOSwnHZYUcn2

Then you'll need the proper software. Blitter is right, Performer is indeed the best MIDI sequencer available. Version 1.7.1 is available on the Mac Garden (Requires 5 800k disks & DC4.2!!)

This is awesome. I don't know how to MIDI but I should give it a go some time.

 

[commodorejohn]

I really need to dig into Mac MIDI software sometime myself...

What kind of gear are you going to be hooking up to it? Do share

 

[megabyte]

Does SE/30 has enough speed and performance to operate with up to 16 MIDI channels while playing/recording of complex melodies?

Are there anyone who tried to use SE/30 in studio in the past?

"But Serial MIDI boxes were available back in the day" - I found a lot of cheap and cool Opcode Studio rack MIDI interfaces at ebay

I also want to try to execute Akai MESA software on this computer.

 

[falen5]

heres a vid i did on midi.

 

[BadGoldEagle]

Man. This is awesome. I'll try to get a midi box as well.

BTW, you should definitely add that piece of software to the Mac Garden! 

 

[falen5]

you wont be able to do anything without the midi interface

all you need is a mac, the software and the midi interface - heres one

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Opcode-Systems-MIDI-Translator-II-for-Macintosh-Mac-Apple-16-Midi-Channels-EUC-/252716393775?hash=item3ad712252f:g:8bcAAOSwa~BYcyzD

 

[techknight]

Sure, But... I have a copy of mastertrax sitting around, I tried running it the other day and it dinged me asking for a serial number. Aint got that! whoops... 

 

[jimjimx]

I run Master Tracks Pro 5 on my SE/30 with a MOTU MIDI Time Piece A/V just fine....

I'll try to get it on my Macbook, and send it to you....

 

[jimjimx]

as far as interfaces any of these should be fine..

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=opcode+mac&_sop=15&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xopcode+midi+mac.TRS0&_nkw=opcode+midi+mac&_sacat=0

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=opcode+mac&_sop=15&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xmacman+midi.TRS1&_nkw=macman+midi&_sacat=0

 

[jimjimx]

Also interesting is...

Passport still sells Master Tracks Pro, but only for Microsoft, not Apple, and they were one of the first to use MIDI on the early Apple II machines.

Although, you can still download the full manual from them.

And, at one point, it was called "Trax".

Opcode "vision", and "Studio Vision" were free on the Gibson site, after they bought Opcode.

 

[falen5]

The program I used was Pro 4 by a crowd called 'mark of the unicorn'. 

I remember the name because I used the same program for years

After watching my own video again I know where I have my copy of the one i used in the vid. On my external scsi drive

If you are stuck ill gladly see if I can transfer it and send it to you. 

midimidimidimidimidimidimidimidimidi..........then pop music..........what a cruel world!!

 

[Gil]

Old serial versions of MOTU's MIDI Timepiece/Express are a dime a dozen on eBay.

 

[techknight]

The program I used was Pro 4 by a crowd called 'mark of the unicorn'. 

I remember the name because I used the same program for years

After watching my own video again I know where I have my copy of the one i used in the vid. On my external scsi drive

If you are stuck ill gladly see if I can transfer it and send it to you. 

midimidimidimidimidimidimidimidimidi..........then pop music..........what a cruel world!!

I watched your vid from when you used to do that stuff, Definitely a different style of music than I am used to! I am more of a europop/eurodance/techno nerd. 90s mainly. early 2000s ok. Cannot stand the 80s

 

[CC_333]

I am more of a europop/eurodance/techno nerd. 90s mainly. early 2000s ok. Cannot stand the 80s

If that's what I think it is, it's okay, but I really don't like it very much.

I much prefer, in no particular order:

• Classical
• Oldies (50s through 60s mainly, though there's stuff from the 70s, 80s, and even the 90s that I like)
• Folk (pretty much everything from the first Carter Family recordings to the present day)
• Jazz (particularly some of the Swing Era stuff from the 30s and 40s, plus Dave Brubeck from the late 50s and 60s)
• Some Blues (there's not a whole lot of it that I like)
• A little Bluegrass/Old Time
• Show Tunes/Easy Listening (mostly like pop music played by mostly standard classical/jazz orchestras; there's considerable overlap with swing/big band (especially early on; consequently, it could be thought of as a continuation/evolution of the genre), and it seems it was rather popular from the 50s through the 70s)

Stuff that I refuse to listen to unless forced:

• Virtually everything from the 2000s and 2010s (there are some glimmers of improvement in that situation; hopefully I'll like the 2020s better)
• Most stuff from the 90s (there are some songs which, for better or worse, I feel a bit of nostalgia for, so I might listen to those if they happen to be on the radio)
• Most Rap/Hip Hop, particularly stuff from the 90s and beyond (some of the early 80s stuff, which I heard for the first time only last year, is actually pretty good)

These are only a few of the many western styles that are prevalent in the US; anything else is fair game, since I can't say no to stuff I've never heard

Speaking of which, I haven't looked at your video yet, but I'm sure it's interesting!

c

 

[techknight]

Yep you have the exact opposite of music taste that I do. I cant stand the stuff that you listen to, and I listen to the stuff, well 75% of it that you dont. 

I do like classic rock though. Courtesy of a young me in moms record collection from back then. 

As far as 80s, I may have been a bit harsh. it really depends on what it is. I like Rockwell's somebodys watching me, maybe some Huey Lewis and some other stuff. 

 

[mocheez]

Also interesting is...

Passport still sells Master Tracks Pro, but only for Microsoft, not Apple, and they were one of the first to use MIDI on the early Apple II machines.

Although, you can still download the full manual from them.

And, at one point, it was called "Trax".

Seems to me like Trax was a stripped down version of Master Tracks. I could get Trax but cannot find a copy of Master Tracks anywhere (except the Atari version). Anybody?

 

[supernova777]

check out www.oldschooldaw.com