68030 Classic Macs as Synths/music development and performance -

[sunvalleylaw]

VINTAGE SYNTHESIZER/MIDI/LIGHT SHOW STUFF: First, let me know if this fits better somewhere else. Like the Compact Mac forum. Interested in in using old machines to create/modify/use synthesizer sounds to make music, and potentially also control lights. Not sure what I will ever do with that ability other than play with it, but I am a Dad level music hack as well in guitar and formerly piano/keys and have aims at getting together with some folks to play as well. So, an applied exploration of these old computers, using vintage Midi keyboards too, if you will. Starting my exploration, so please point me in some directions for learning/exploration.

For reference, I pulled up this old thread. https://68kmla.org/bb/threads/se-30-as-midi-sequencer.6242/

I also found this software from MOTU: https://www.macintoshrepository.org/1397-digital-performer-3

and I can see various serial Midi interfaces also by MOTU on eBay. Will also look for an appropriate keyboard. So I guess that gets me started.

Goal would be to do early 80's and later synth music as part of music projects, and perhaps also use a machine to run lights, via vintage gear. I will also probably figure out how to do it the easy way on modern stuff.

Cheers!

 

[Snial]

VINTAGE SYNTHESIZER/MIDI/LIGHT SHOW STUFF: First, let me know if this fits better somewhere else. Like the Compact Mac forum. Interested in in using old machines to create/modify/use synthesizer sounds to make music, and potentially also control lights.

For reference, I pulled up this old thread. https://68kmla.org/bb/threads/se-30-as-midi-sequencer.6242/

I also found this software from MOTU: https://www.macintoshrepository.org/1397-digital-performer-3

and I can see various serial Midi interfaces also by MOTU on eBay. Will also look for an appropriate keyboard. So I guess that gets me started.

I'd go for a MIDIMAN Mac Midi interface.

For software, early Cubase and Cubase lite:

https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/cubase-lite-10-68k

This works OK on a Mac Plus, so it'll be very capable on a 68030. Which 68030 are you using? I guess you're using a Compact Mac, so it's either an SE/30, Performa 200 or Mac CC?

For a light show I'd build an Arduino with a MIDI interface and then hook up lights to GPIOs (you'll need amps or at least transistors if your lights pull a lot of current). Then translate MIDI notes to the GPIOs; play a sequence on Cubase and on playback it should be possible to make it come out of the Arduino's lights. Or... if you just want it to be automatic, get the Arduino to monitor the whole MIDI stream and trigger lights based on channel events and/or notes.