CHAPTER 3:
QUICK START GUIDE TO VISION

This chapter assumes:
•
You have already installed Vision.
•
You have used the OMS Setup application to create a current Studio Setup document (either minimal or custom). You must install and set up OMS before attempting to use Vision—it provides Vision with all the pertinent information about your MIDI studio.
•
You have connected all synthesizers, drum machines, switchers, controllers, and any other MIDI devices to a Macintosh MIDI interface that is, in turn, connected to your Macintosh.

There are an infinite variety of possible MIDI configurations and every Vision user will have a different Studio Setup. For the sake of this tutorial, we have made some basic assumptions about your Studio Setup:
•
You are using a master MIDI keyboard with Local Control turned OFF.
•
Both your MIDI keyboard and your sound source are connected to your Macintosh via a MIDI interface. The keyboard and sound source can be one and the same—just make sure its Local Control is turned OFF.

This chapter is a cursory tutorial on basic Vision techniques. It’s designed to give you a minimum knowledge of Vision so you can start experimenting on your own. 

Launch Vision
1.
In the Macintosh Finder, double-click the Vision application.

2.
Respond to any dialog boxes, then move on to the next section.

Vision checks the state of your Macintosh when it launches and, if it finds any potential problems, alerts you to them with dialog boxes. For example, if AppleTalk is on, you’ll be asked if you want to turn it off (and you should!). If OMS is not installed, you’ll be notified that Vision can’t run without it.

When Vision has finished opening, the screen will look something like this:

This shows the Control Bar and the Tracks window with the Sequences window hidden behind the Tracks window.

Set the OMS Compatibility Mode

When you first start Vision, you’ll need to tell OMS how to work with it:

1.
Choose OMS MIDI Setup from the Setups menu. The OMS MIDI Setup dialog box appears.

2.
For now, click the Allow Non-OMS Applications radio button, and check the box(es) where your MIDI interface is connected.  Other options allow you to play sequences while switching applications, or use the Apple MIDI manager.

3.
Click the OK button.

Vision uses OMS to communicate with all the MIDI hardware in your studio. OMS provides a central location (called the Studio Setup document) for defining and storing a detailed description of your MIDI studio. By looking at your current OMS Studio Setup document, Vision knows:
•
which MIDI devices are connected to your Macintosh
•
what MIDI channels each device uses
•
which devices send or receive sync
•
which devices are MIDI controllers

Understanding Vision’s File Hierarchy
A Vision file is a simple hierarchical arrangement of sequences, tracks, and MIDI data. Each Vision file contains an unlimited number of sequences. Each sequence contains up to 99 tracks. Each track contains notes, controllers, program changes or any other type of MIDI event. It may also contain events that trigger other sequences.

Recording Your First Track
To begin recording, you’ll need to enter MIDI data into a track. If this is the first time you’ve launched Vision, you should see two active windows: the Control Bar and the Tracks window. There is also a third window that’s hidden behind the Tracks window. It’s called the Sequences window.

You will record a track into the Tracks window for Sequence A (the open Tracks window).

Before recording, you must decide which instrument you want to use.
1.
In the Control Bar, press and hold the Thru Instrument name (where the pointer is pointing in the following picture) to open a pop-up menu of all MIDI devices as defined by your current OMS Studio Setup document.

2.
Move the mouse over the desired instrument (highlighting it) and release the mouse button to select the device. You may select any instrument in your studio.

Now that you’ve selected an instrument to record, you’ll need to select which sound you want that instrument to play.

1.
In the Control Bar, press and hold the Program field (where the pointer is pointing in the following picture) to open a pop-up menu of all MIDI programs for the selected instrument. Right now this list shows only program change numbers. It is possible to display program names for each of your instruments, but that is beyond the scope of this tutorial.

2.
Move the mouse over the desired program number (highlighting it) and release the mouse button to select the program.
Vision sends a program change message to your selected instrument, setting it to the desired program.

Now is a good time to test what you have done.

•
Play your master MIDI keyboard. You should hear the selected program playing on the selected instrument.

If you don’t hear anything, make sure the volume is up on your synthesizer and mixer. Also, make sure your sound module is set to receive on the selected MIDI channel and, if it’s multitimbral, that the volume for that channel is not set to zero.

If you hear more than one instrument, check to make sure that you have turned local control OFF on your master keyboard—you could be playing its internal sound in addition to your sound module. Also, check your OMS Studio Setup document—if you’re using a standard MIDI interface and have more than one instrument assigned to the same MIDI channel on the same Macintosh serial port, you’ll hear both instruments (this is not a problem if you’re using a multiport interface like Opcode’s Studio 4 or Studio 5).

If you’re satisfied with your instrument and program selection and if you can hear it when you play your master keyboard, then you’re ready to record.

1.
In the Control Bar, click the Record button. (the button with the circle in it)

Alternately, you could type the TAB key on your Macintosh keyboard.

You’ll hear a metronome click coming from your Macintosh speaker. The metronome will click steadily at a rate of 120 beats per minute. Vision will not start recording until you actually strike a note.

2.
Play a simple C major scale, striking each note in unison with a metronome click.

3.
When you have finished playing the scale, click the Stop button (the button with the square in it).

Alternately, you could type the RETURN key on your Macintosh keyboard.

4.
Look at the Tracks window.
Notice that your scale now appears in the Tracks window with the default name of “Track 1”. You can also see the length of your track, the instrument used to play it and a tiny overview of the MIDI data contained in the track.

Now, play back what you’ve just recorded.
1.
In the Control Bar, click the Play From Start button. (the segmented triangle)

Alternately, you could type the SPACEBAR on your Macintosh keyboard.

Vision will play back the scale exactly as you recorded it. As it plays, you’ll see the counter in the Control Bar count off bars and beats. Vision will automatically stop when it reaches the end of the recorded track.

Your sequences will often contain many different tracks—basses, drums, comps, pads, leads, melodies, and so on. Therefore it’s a good idea to get into the habit of naming your tracks and, if desired, adding a few comments.

1.
In the Tracks window, click the Track name. It highlights and the cursor turns into an I-Beam.

2.
Type a new name for the track.

3.
Click the Comment area and type comments about the track.

4.
To rename the sequence, click the Title Bar of the hidden sequence window.

Vision moves the Sequence window to the front.

5.
In the Sequences window, click the Sequence title. It highlights and the cursor turns into an I-Beam.

6.
Type a new name for the sequence.