[Coco] My Thoughts On Midi And The CoCo...

[Joe Schutts]

WHAT’S REQUIRED TO PLAYMIDI ON A COCO




In order to play Midi Files on a CoCo (both CoCo 1, 2, AND 3) youhave to have either Software (which I’ll explain further on) AND(optional) Hardware or a combination of both (again, I’ll try toexplain further on). Hopefully, I’ll do it right the first time, sono one will have any questions and/or comments.




HARDWARE:




If you are lucky enough to have an OLD 5-Pin Midi Keyboard, then youare indeed very lucky. Generally there are 2 different types of MidiKeyboards out there today. The 1st is the “OLD SCHOOL”Midi Keyboard with a round 5-Pin Connector for both the Midi In, MidiOut, and (sometimes) an additional connector called Midi Thru.




This type of Midi Keyboard were generally VERY expensive (especiallywhen they 1st appeared) but they got cheaper as timepassed by. Today they are generally available ONLY on HIGH END (andexpensive) Midi Keyboards. Also, very few of the cheaper MidiKeyboards out there will have the Midi Thru connector.




These “OLD SCHOOL” round 5-Pin connector type keyboards connectedto the CoCo via an adapter (which I believe – and don’t quote meon this) used 1 of the GAME PORT connectors AND the SERIAL PORTconnector on the CoCo. There were MANY different manufacturers outthere and I’m sure they ALL used different systems AND/ORconnections.




On a PC, these same Midi Keyboards generally connected to either theGAME PORT (usually on the Sound Card – IF it had one) via anexternal adapter, or you could use a MIDI Card which used (I believe)a standard 5-Pin Midi cable. I myself, used the Sound Card adaptermethod.




These “OLD SCHOOL” Midi Keyboards were nice in that IF you hadmore than 1 keyboard hooked up (using the Midi Thru connectors) youcould use different keyboards to play different instruments. Forexample you could use one keyboard to play piano and use the second(or the third, or even the forth) one to play banjo or organ whilethe other keyboard uses the flute. But in order to do this, your MidiKeyboard HAD TO HAVE a Midi Thru connector.




Sadly, these OLDer round 5-Pin Connectors have given way to the NEWERUSB Connectors AND Keyboards. The one bad thing about these NEWER USBKeyboards is that they WILL NOT connect (OR WORK directly) from aCoCo UNLESS you use DW4 and play the Midi files through a PC. Whenusing this method you then have to option of playing the Midi fileeither through the Midi Keyboard OR using the PC’s sound card togenerate the music. In my opinion the first option is MUCH better.BUT if you have a USB Keyboard you MUST use DW4 to play it. In short,the CoCo does NOT SUPPORT a USB Keyboard directly, as there are NOUSB Drivers available (at least NOT YET).




Now as to these NEW USB Midi Keyboards, they use 1 USB Connection(cable) to connect your Midi Keyboard to your computer (no matterwhether it’s a CoCo OR a PC). This simple fact is the MAIN REASONwhy a CoCo doesn’t work with a USB Midi Keyboard.




This one cable carries BOTH the Midi In AND Midi Out signals (I’mnot sure if it also provides a Midi Thru signal or not – although Idoubt it). These types of USB Midi Keyboards generally use the sametype of USB Cable that you use to hook up a USB Printer. They arenice in that there are fewer cables to lug around with you and lessof a headache to hook up.




SOFTWARE:




First let me explain there are two different types of Midi Files outthere. There is Midi 0 (the standard Midi file) and then Midi 1(which is an enhanced Midi file). The CoCo (1, 2, and 3) could ONLYplay Midi 0 Files (I uploaded plenty of them by the way – sorry BUTyou’ll have to search for them).




AVAILABLE MIDI PROGRAMS (Both PC & CoCo)




Now as for CoCo Midi Programs available. First there was Musica 1followed by Musica 2 and then Lyra (all of which I used AND liked).Lastly there is the OS-9 Midi program called uMuse (which sadly I amunfamiliar with) although I hear that it’s a well made program andquite worth checking out.




If you are going to be using a PC then your options are far largerthan with the CoCo, plus (sadly) you can do much more with a PC thana CoCo. There are MANY freeware Midi Programs available out there.Some are fairly good while other are junk. If you’re willing to payfor a Midi Program you also have many options. Again, some are betterthan others. The two PC programs I like, are the following:




1. PowerTracks Pro Audio (by PGMUSIC)

2. CakeWalk (I can’t remember who made this or which version Ihave)




PowerTracks Pro Audio is fairly cheap (around $30-$40) and has somenice features. It supports (I think) a maximum of 36 tracks, which isgenerally more than enough. It also has the feature to record audioand allows you to play both Midi AND audio together.




The version of Cakewalk I sometimes use is an old (and I do mean OLD)version (I believe it’s version 5) and while it does a good job, itis much harder to figure out especially without the manual. I usethis program much less than the PowerTracks Pro program. Thankfully Ido have the manual for PowerTracks Pro.



Well, enough of my rambling, besides I have to get some sleep. I’vegiven everyone my thoughts on Midi Keyboards, Midi files (ingeneral), and Midi Players. Now the ball is in your court to decidewhich way to go. Choose wisely grasshopper…