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From: gt4785b@pyr.gatech.EDU (CARTER)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga,comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Amiga and MIDI
Message-ID: <4567@pyr.gatech.EDU>
Date: Sun, 29-Nov-87 02:40:05 EST
Article-I.D.: pyr.4567
Posted: Sun Nov 29 02:40:05 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 1-Dec-87 05:43:45 EST
References: <447@nuchat.UUCP> <32160@auc.UUCP> <528@otto.COM>
Reply-To: gt4785b@pyr.UUCP (David Carter)
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta
Lines: 26
Keywords: MIDI Amiga Atari ST
Summary: It all but does have it built in
Xref: mnetor comp.sys.amiga:11693 comp.sys.atari.st:6531

In article <528@otto.COM> rex@otto.UUCP (Rex Jolliff) writes:
>> [deleted text about MIDI 'interfaces' for the Amigas]
>hmmm... This sounds pretty scary to me.  If the interface is built into the
>computer, then the software developers don't have to worry about writing
>'drivers' to support all the different interfaces with 'similar features'.
>However, if you have to hook the interface up as an afterthought, only the
>software supplied by the interface manufacturer may be compatable.

The midi "interface adaptor" for the amiga consists of:
    a DB-25 plug, a DB-25 socket, 4 DIN sockets, 2 toggle switches,
    an optiosolator, and an op-amp.

In other words, the only thing not already MIDI about the port on the back of
the Amiga is that it's a DB-25 instead of a DIN.  The op-amp and optoisolator
just make it safe (i.e. buffering).  But as far as software is concerned, ANY
midi "adaptor" for the amiga will look the same.

The DB-25 socket and one of the switches are so the person can use his printer
too.  Yeah, it would be nice to have a seperate, dedicated MIDI jack, but
a) you usually never print while MIDI-ing, and b) many people will never use
their Amigas for MIDI, so it would have been wasted money.

A friend had shown me a copy of a magazine article on "how to build a MIDI
adaptor for the Amiga."  Does anyone remember what magazine/issue that was?

David Carter