[DM-MUG] MIDI

Tue May 5 14:40:11 CDT 2009

2 more quick data points re GB:

1. The latest version apparently does have tempo automation. (but  
still only 1 time sig)
2. It does not in point of fact even have MIDI out built-in, though a  
3rd party Core Audio plug can make it happen.

Data point 2 is really at the heart of the paradigm shift here. GB is  
designed to contain the whole of the project (including the sound  
generation capabilities) you can pump MIDI into it, but it takes extra  
effort to get it back out (as MIDI). You'd do better looking at a demo  
of DP or maybe the new ProTools setups, which I believe have some  
better MIDI.

On May 5, 2009, at 11:53 AM, Bryan Baker wrote:
> Unfortunately, I believe in those 18 or so years, you've missed a bit
> of a paradigm shift in the music production industry, and that's the
> main thing that's probably making all of this more complicated than it
> needs to be.
>
> The old model of a MIDI based studio is just about dead. That is:
>
> Control Chain:
> MIDI Controller --> Computer --> Outboard MIDI modules, Synths etc.
> Audio Chain:
> MIDI stuff	-->|
> 		   | Mixer --> Effects --> Final 2 track audio destination (Tape,
> DAW etc.)
> Audio Playback	-->|
>
>
> Has pretty much become:
>
> Midi Controller	-->|
> 		   | DAW --> Direct output to "finished" audio file
> Audio sources	-->|
>
>
> Most of the sound production tasks that were done via MIDI instruments
> have been taken over by the sound generation capabilities of the
> computer itself. When I use "MIDI" in GarageBand it's pretty much just
> as a control source. All the sound is generated via the mac. While
> it's possible to make it send that back out to external devices, it's
> not really what it was intended or designed to do. I've re-rendered a
> lot of my old projects from the 80s and 90s in GarageBand and some of
> them were pretty complex setups, but I haven't made it try and output
> to any of my old modules (mostly because they sound pretty bad
> compared to the sounds the Mac can make on it's own these days).
>
> In fact I haven't really had my "MIDI" sound generators in my
> recording rig for several years, and just this weekend was in a live
> situation where we ended up using one of them. It worked OK for live,
> but it probably would have sounded better to have used GB to make the
> sounds on a Mac.
>
> When I was at CalArts, I had a seminar class w/ Morton Subotnick ( http://www.mortonsubotnick.com/
>  ) who predicted this shift - back in 1988 - and most of us had a
> hard time swallowing it at the time, but now that I've been working
> "in the computer" for a few years, I find it makes life much less of a
> pain. I've now managed to get 3 CDs out the door (the 3rd should hit
> CD-Baby today btw) and I did them all w/ GarageBand and every one of
> those albums contained at least a modicum of "MIDI" but none used
> outboard MIDI gear - it's all in the machine. Here's a good example
> (for complexity) of what can be done with an old MIDI project if you
> keep an open mind. http://www.macjams.com/song/3254
>
> I know your style of music, and understand why GB is maybe not the app
> for you (it's limited to 1 tempo and 1 time sig). I have been able to
> work with/around this for myself, but I know you'd have problems.
>
> Having also used (and loathed) OMS your calling it robust made me
> laugh out loud, then again, you used Opcode products, which I'm sure
> always worked well with it. At least now w/ AM Setup, it's a level
> playing field for all developers.
>
> btw Chris, are you busy wed. nights? Figured you might be, but that's
> when the band rehearses - we could use another guitarist.
>
> On May 4, 2009, at 7:27 PM, cmsspace wrote:
>> I'm fairly familiar with MIDI on the old Studio Vision software and
>> have used it almost exclusively for the past 18 years.  I decided to
>> try out a USB MID interface with our newer 20" iMac.  After a couple
>> of frustrating hours trying to work with the iMac through various
>> applications, I have been unsuccessful in receiving MIDI from an
>> outside controller or instrument.  I've tried a couple MIDI
>> controllers as input device including a piano and drum machine. Both
>> of these work correctly and are able to receive and transmit MIDI.
>> The Vista based laptop we own seems to work fine with the USB MIDI
>> port device.  The iMac seems to see and recognize the USB device as
>> a MIDI port with 1 in and 1 out.  I've gone through the Audio/MIDI
>> setup application on the iMac and set up the USB port  to look for
>> MIDI on the appropriate channels.  I've used both the free MIDI
>> Monitor application and the ittybittymidi widget to look for
>> incoming MIDI as well as Garage (garbage) band.  (I call it garbage
>> band because it is seems pretty useless for MIDI.)  The Audio/MIDI
>> setup application was able to send the test MIDI out through the
>> port.  At this point I've given up until I can hear from someone who
>> might have more experience and give me an idea.
>>
>> iMAc
>> 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
>> MAc OS X version 10.4.11
>>
>>
>> The Audio/MIDI setup application reminds me a lot of OMS but not
>> nearly as robust.
>>
>> Any suggestions?
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>
> --
> Bryan "ka-klick" Baker
> Singer/Songwriter
> ka-klick at ka-klick.com
> http://ka-klick.com
> http://twitter.com/ka_klick <-- Twitter Feed
>
>
>
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--
Bryan "ka-klick" Baker
Singer/Songwriter
ka-klick at ka-klick.com
http://ka-klick.com
http://twitter.com/ka_klick <-- Twitter Feed