We are working on a music product that we would like to build on the new QuickTime music architecture. Where can we get complete information about the music architecture? Until we get this, please answer the following questions:
QIs it possible to have four simultaneous voices?
A Yes, you can have four simultaneous voices.
Q What load do four voices place on the CPU of a 25MHz 68030 Mac?
A Four voices are not a problem for a 25MHz 68030 Macintosh. On a Macintosh LC, we have measured approximately 30 percent CPU usage using 5 voices.
Q Does the load level depend on the number of instruments used simultaneously?
A Yes. The actual load depends on how many instruments are playing simultaneously.
QCan we build our own instruments? If so, is there a tool available for this purpose?
A In QuickTime 2.0, there is no way to add user- instrument files. However, you can embed instruments into QuickTime movies. Future releases will add Musical Instrument Extensions to your system folder.
See also: How To Write a MusicComponent Based on the Generic Component by David Van Brink, Apple's QuickTime Music Architect for more information on how to build music instruments.
QAre the answers to all the above questions the same for the Windows version of QuickTime as they are for the Mac version?
A On a Windows machine, the music in QuickTime movies plays through a sound card, with MIDI hardware support, using the MIDIMAPPER driver, with very minimal CPU load.
QAre the instrument sounds the same on Windows?
A The sound of the instruments can vary with the sound card installed.
Q Are most PC sound cards supported?
A The music in your movies will play on any PC sound card that supports MIDI playback under Windows.