How do the Midi Ports work on an ST?

calimero · March 14, 2016

Here you can find 525 (Five To Five) version 2.20: http://milan.kovac.cc/atari/software/index.php?folder=/SOUND/_TOOLS

Edited March 14, 2016 by calimero

atarian1 · March 15, 2016

And then, what file type do you take from the ST to convert to a file you would find on an audio CD, such as WAV? And that would have to be done on a PC correct, even back then?

To create a CD or mp3 of your masterpiece, you don't mess with the sequencer file on your Atari anymore. It's now an audio-to-digital conversion process.

At this point, I would get a USB digital audio interface for your PC/Mac. There are so many USB audio interfaces at different price points and features that even I get overwhelmed. Steinberg/Yamaha and Behringer have some good cheap interfaces for under $100 that will be more than enough. Just make sure it has at least two 1/4" jack inputs. The internal sound cards in computers are usually not the best as interference from other internal electronics can cause static to the audio recording.

Looking ahead a few messages, it sounds like you have a synthesizer and a dedicated drum machine. If so, you will need an audio mixer to mix the two audio sources into one stereo output which then can be routed out to a pair of speakers and/or the audio input of your USB audio interface. Behringer makes some cheap under $100 decent 2-4 input audio mixers that will fit your bill. Buy some 1/4" jack audio cables and plug them from the audio output jacks of your synth and drum machines into your audio mixer. Then plug another pair of 1/4" jack audio cables from the audio mixer output into the USB digital audio interface input.

On the PC, download Audacity as your audio waveform recorder/editor since it's free. On a Mac, GarageBand or Audacity will do. From your message, I assume you know how to record the audio. It's just like a tape recorder. Hit record on Audacity then hit play on your Atari sequencer and watch your masterpiece become a digital audio file! :-D