Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site bonnie.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!jf4 From: jf4@bonnie.UUCP (John Fourney) Newsgroups: net.music.synth Subject: my experiences with MIDI Message-ID: <428@bonnie.UUCP> Date: Fri, 1-Mar-85 10:04:00 EST Article-I.D.: bonnie.428 Posted: Fri Mar 1 10:04:00 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 2-Mar-85 02:54:53 EST Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Whippany NJ Lines: 47 *** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE *** I have been using a Sequential Circuits model 64 sequencer with the Commodore 64 computer. So far I am very unhappy with the results. MIDI, I feel, is a lot of hype right now. My set up includes a DX-7 and an Oberheim DX drum machine along with the sequencer. I have never been able to synchronize the Oberheim with the Model 64. Although I have received virtually no support from Sequential, my opinion is that the model 64 does not read the 96 pulses per quarter note from the DX correctly. What I want is a sequence that loops so that the new beginning is EXACTLY on the downbeat. So far - no dice. Fun huh? Actually it's a real pain. I did not buy this stuff to figure out all their problems. Think I can get my money back? Sure! Moreover, it is *almost* impossible to create an overdub that starts at the beginning of the master sequence. Musically useful - isn't it? There's a trick you can use to do it - but it wastes a sequence: Hit the first note(s) a fraction after the sequence starts and hold it for the correct length of time. Then auto-correct the overdub to quarter notes and the software will put it on the downbeat. Gee - isn't that efficient? Someone told me to try taking the metronome output from the DX instead of the clock output. The metronome output can be programmed to provide 4/8/12/16/24/or32 pulses. I tried them all. The 64 does something different - the beginning of the sequence now starts a fraction too soon. Furthermore, there is no autocorrect now. I can't figure that out. I think the Model 64 hardware/software is off by one pulse! This error accumulates through the sequence until there is a noticable discrepancy in the timing. Sequential claims that the DX in the only drum machine that they're having problems with. I really doubt it! The potential for digital MIDI recording is vast. All the manufacturers say "Please, give us a break." I would if they didn't rush their products to market before they're ready. John ps - more later