Gunstar #1 Posted January 28, 2003 Ok, I finally got a keyboard with MIDI to hook up to my 130XE&MIDImate3 and my 1040ST. I found a Casio CT-640 at the local Goodwill for $20, I think it's pretty old, probably from the late to mid '80s, but then, so are my Atari computers! Besides, I'm no professional, heck, I can't even play the keyboard, but hey, that's where the computers come in right? I can tap in a note at a time and then let the computer and keyboard play it back and make myself some songs! Plus I mainly want to use the setup for some quality music as I start delving into ST&Jaguar development now that I'm going to start learning M68000 ASM. Anyway, I have the MIDItrack software for my XE (still need to get my hands on the instructions), but I need some good MIDI software for my ST. Soes anyone have some suggestions for PD/Shareware or even commercial MIDI applications that I can get for cheap (FREE). Any sites I can be directed to that have such disk images? Also, I still need to get the MIDI cables, any good online dealers that sell MIDI cables for cheap? Anyone here have some cables they want to sell or trade for? Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonnenhexer #2 Posted January 28, 2003 Hi, MIDI-cables have 5 Pins, so you should be able to use every 5-pin-cable you can find. For software: the best is not free, many say that Cubase is best. Hope that helps Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonnenhexer #3 Posted January 28, 2003 btw.: connecting 2 STs via MIDI, you can play the awesome MIDI-maze. Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gunstar #4 Posted January 28, 2003 Thanks for the heads-up on the cables, I thought they might just be standard fare 5-pin, but didn't know for sure if they had special shielding or something, I think I have ONE that will work, I'll have to find another though... Thanks for the Cubas suggestion too, but to start with any old thing will work just so I can start using it! So if anyone knows some links to free apps., please, let me know, I'll start searching myself also... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonnenhexer #5 Posted January 28, 2003 My first MIDI-cable was a cable from my fathers audio-system. Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clint Thompson #6 Posted January 28, 2003 I finally managed to get my Roland Fantom for some time now... and need a damn 1040ST with a HD and some nice software I know the Roland is a workstation so I don't really need a computer... but I think it would make things just so much more easier! The Ultimate setup would be a Falcon with CD write (damnit jason haha to hook into using the awesome software for it and then recording (D2D anyone) and then burning the CD. Gunstar... if you ever get around to it, take some pics of your setup, that would be interesting to check out in any case Good luck in finding some software... Cubase is still pretty expensive even for the Atari's from my understanding..... but you can do so much with it! Clint Thompson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gunstar #7 Posted January 29, 2003 Ok Clint, once I get the cables and ST software I'll get a pic to you or Albert (to post on AtariAge) of my keyboard with both the XE and ST software running... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
atarian1 #8 Posted January 29, 2003 MIDI cables can be found in any good music store such as Guitar Center (big national chain). Look in your yellow pages. Because Atari cut corners and wired the MIDI out as a MIDI thru too, you should avoid the cheap cables and get the good cables that have all 5 pins wired through. They usually have metal plugs instead of plastic plugs. They cost a bit more so prepare your $$$. If you really can't afford them, you can get away with the cheap cables, but you may end up with stuck notes. Check out Tim Conrardy's excellent Atari MIDI site with lots of old Atari ST MIDI software. Most programs are some type of algorithmic composers (programs that take your input and play around with it), but there are also some old ST MIDI sequencers that are now freeware too. You might want to check out Hybrid Arts' Editrack, Passport Designs' Master Tracks Pro, Dr. T's KCS Omega (shareware) or Steinberg's Cubase Lite. Each has its own unique interface, so it's best to try each to see which one suits your needs. The hotrods of ST MIDI sequencers, Cubase and Notator, are dongle-protected and have to be bought because of the copy protection. The URL is: http://tamw.atari-users.net/ Enjoy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gunstar #9 Posted January 29, 2003 Thanks for the link Atarian1! I was looking for stuff last night for the ST, but every site I found was pretty much all games...it's so hard to find application programs for Atari computers in general. I looked for some dealers that had Cubase, but the average price of $250-$300 or more(!) is WAAY to expensive for a beginner like me, I wouldn't want to spend that kind of cash unless i get really serious about recording and actually learn to play the keyboard, etc. I'm sure some of those freeware programs at the link you left me will be plenty for now. Heck, I only payed $20 for my entire 1040STf setup and $20 for the keyboard, I'm not about to fork out several hundred for software for it just yet! YIKES! Thanks again, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goochman #10 Posted January 29, 2003 Is Cubase for the ST still being supported? $250 for a dead program seems lame except for collectability. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gunstar #11 Posted January 29, 2003 Well, I did just find Cubase V3.1 on sale from a british dealer for 99 pounds sterling, that's exceptional compared to other places, but still too much for me until I know I am going to get serious with MIDI. here if anyone is interested: http://www.keychange.co.uk/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krupkaj #12 Posted January 29, 2003 Did you try Sweet Sixteen? http://www.ronimusic.com/miscdownload.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
atarian1 #13 Posted January 30, 2003 Is Cubase for the ST still being supported? $250 for a dead program seems lame except for collectability. I can't agree more. It's just supply and demand I think, but the Keychange dealer continues to insist that professional software should cost more. Yeah, if it's still being upgraded and supported. $250 is what it cost during the last days of Atari when it still was being recognized by Steinberg! That's quite a bit of profit for the dealer if you ask me. And the latest versions of Cubase, and even Cubasis (the stripped down version of Cubase) for the PC/Mac are light years ahead of the abandoned ST version. Yet Cubasis is about $80. I think a fair price for Cubase for the ST is $100 (basically the cost to print the thick manual + building the dongle + small profit). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paolo #14 Posted January 31, 2003 Aaah guys, you don't pay attention! Cubase lite is just a very litte stripped down version of CUBASE itself, and it's FREE! It has been released in the PD since Cubase VST hit the PC and Steinberg stopped the development and support for Cubase Audio on the Falcon. It has very very few limitations (IIRC something like limited parts, like 24, and no DA capabilities) Tim's MIDI world has the specs and the files, too. Bye! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick Harlow #15 Posted February 6, 2003 -but the Keychange dealer continues to insist that professional software should cost more. well professional software does cost more, no matter what system. -Yeah, if it's still being upgraded and supported. good point, and one in the Atari scene that is rapidly becoming redundant. A lot of software is not being supported because software houses move on to other platforms where they can make a profit. - $250 is what it cost during the last days of Atari when it still was being recognized by Steinberg! 250$ ??? morelike 400 dollars when Steinberg were in the biz -That's quite a bit of profit for the dealer if you ask me. and what did the dealer pay for the software, he should maybe make a loss in your opinion? -And the latest versions of Cubase, and even Cubasis (the stripped down version of Cubase) for the PC/Mac are light years ahead of the abandoned ST version. It's called development , and funnily enough one of the reasons Steinberg left the Atari market after putting in a lot of resources in to it was the piracy of earlier versions... even today I am still asked if I can supply a cracked version of their software -Yet Cubasis is about $80. I think a fair price for Cubase for the ST is $100 (basically the cost to print the thick manual + building the dongle + small profit). Again you are making a erroneous point, comapring to a supported platform. How do know what Keyexchange paid for the software, demand for a product sets the price. As a point of fact if these were the same software I was offered some time ago then 100$ would'nt even pay the carriage. You get what you pay for. I agree that it seems that some software seems expensive but if you want it you have to but it, of course I know most programs are now cracked which is why in your end it's your choice. You want Cubasis, get a PC. This message wan't meant as a flame or attack on some peoples views but a quick explanation on why the few Atari dealers are still in business... not because we have made massive profits on software but because most Atari dealers stay in business as a hobby which has to pay for it self.. ie a small profit. Nick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paolo #16 Posted February 6, 2003 ...-And the latest versions of Cubase, and even Cubasis (the stripped down version of Cubase) for the PC/Mac are light years ahead of the abandoned ST version. It's called development , and funnily enough one of the reasons Steinberg left the Atari market after putting in a lot of resources in to it was the piracy of earlier versions... even today I am still asked if I can supply a cracked version of their software ... You guys never had a windoze crash, didn't you ? No matter how 'developed' the software is, if you need a sequencer, a sequencer is all you need! And if it is possible, you should have it on a machine with a rock-steady clock, with NO crashes. (That is /|) :wink: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick Harlow #17 Posted February 6, 2003 Plenty of crashes, but most musicians I know still have an Atari tucked away somewhere.. I have 3... but I am tone (as in music) deaf nick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gunstar #18 Posted February 6, 2003 well guys, I got cubase lite now and sweet sixteen and some of the other stuff from Hybrid arts and Codehead that was released as shareware/freeware/pd, which is all i need since I'm not even a muscian! I can't sing, I can't play a keyboard, and i can't read music, i'm just messing around, so what I got is actually MORE than enough for me... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonnenhexer #19 Posted February 6, 2003 Enjoy it, I hope you share your experience with us. Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southdown Studio #20 Posted March 21, 2003 Standard (5 pin) midi plugs are used, HOWEVER, the ST does not use the THRU function of midi and so the outer two pins are not used. You SHOULD purchased midi cables that connect directly to your ST - that have these pins not wired. Midi message errors, echo back, midi lock and a few other errors could occur if you use standard midi wired cables. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RucasRiot #21 Posted March 21, 2003 Did you try Sweet Sixteen?http://www.ronimusic.com/miscdownload.htm I use Sweet 16, I like its layout quite well including the Piano Roll. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gunstar #22 Posted March 24, 2003 OK guys, here is the pics of my setup Clint asked for, the ST is running Sweet 16 currently, but I no have a lot of midi software for both the ST and one for my XE too. Most of the ST midi software has been legally released as PD or freeware, so there's plenty for people to use without paying for something like Cubase, which even has a "lite" version in the PD now, which is still VERY powerful. Left to right is my 1040ST with my Casio keyboard using the Sweet16 software, next is my 130XE, which is also MIDI ready with software (though that's just it's desktop currently onscreen), next in line is my Oscilliscope (great for checking out musical waveforms as well as using it for electronic circuits, etc.), my mess of electronic equipment and stuff I'm working on, and finally at the end is my PC, which is used for transfering files from the net to my ST, works as a server for my 8-bit with A.P.E. and a development system, along with the ST for my Jaguar dev. system (which is on top of the ST moinitor). I have other Atari 8-bits and a bunch more stuff, but this is all I have room for right now, and it barely all fits... I'll be moving into a bigger place soon, so this stuff can have it's own room along with my other computers which will be setup and hopefully a Falcon will join them too at some point in the future... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goochman #23 Posted March 24, 2003 Ahhhhhhh - takes me back to the good ole days Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krupkaj #24 Posted March 24, 2003 OK guys, here is the pics of my setup Clint asked for wow, it is very nice place Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paolo #25 Posted March 25, 2003 Hey, Gunstar! You should submit your picture at MYATARI.NET, for the tip of the day section. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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