Programming Sound Cards/Programming Sound Cards.iso/sound_49/mutil2.doc

Text File | 1995-01-01 | 8KB | 185 lines

10/10/88

                               mUTIL2

Roland MT-32 Performance Setup Utility for the IBM PC/MPU 401:
=============================================================

Introduction:
-------------

This is version 2 of MT32UTIL.EXE, a performance setup utility
for the MT-32 (it seems to work on the D110 as well). This version
is a COMPLETE RE-DESIGN of version 1. The old program had a lot of
major flaws and would not run properly on some machines, mostly
AT's (the MT-32 needs a 20 millisecond delay between MIDI messages
and the old program's delay routine was hardware dependent). This
version SHOULD fix that bug (it's still pretty much untested on
fast machines) ; if it doesn't work, please notify the author.

The program was developed on a monochrome XT running at 4.77Mhz
and sporting 512k RAM and DOS 3.2.

FEATURES :
You now have access to the ff. for parts 1 to 8 :
   Partial Reserve*
   MIDI Channel
   Timbre Group*
   Timbre Number*
   Key Shift*            (* indicates NEW feature)
   Fine Tune
   Bender Range
   Assign Mode*
   Reverb Switch
   Output Level*
   PAN Pot

Furthermore, YOU MAY NOW SAVE AND LOAD PERFORMANCE SETTINGS to
disk files. For example, you may load the utility, set the MIDI
channels of parts 1 to 4 to the same channel, assign different
timbres to these parts and save these changes to a file. At a
later time, you may load these settings from the file so you
don't have to re-enter them.

For those kind people who registered their copies of version 1,
THANK YOU. You will be the first to be notified of this and all
succeeding versions. Your contribution was largely responsible
for this version coming out and you needn't feel obligated to
register this or any succeeding versions.

For those of you who are new to this program, please support the
shareware concept by registering you copy with a contribution of
$10.00 (US currency). A TIMBRE AND PATCH EDITOR/LIBRARIAN is now
being tested for shareware release and your registration will
facilitate its release.



    Emilio Abello
    2043 Oregon Ave.
    Redwood City, CA. 94061

Disclaimer:
----------

In no way does the author warrant the performance or usability of this
software. Use it at your own risk. This utility is to be considered
"shareware" and may not be distributed for profit. This documentation
file should be included with the program if it is to be distributed or
transferred to another person.


The Registration Fee -- What you get for it :
-------------------------------------------

The asking registration fee of 10 dollars is NOT to be construed as
payment for an updated or later version of the software. It is instead
a gesture of appreciation that you bestow upon the author IF (and only
if) you liked the version you currently have. Registered users will be
notified if and when I intend to release any software that may be of
value to them.  Also, a registered user who is notified of an upgrade,
AND sends a 5.25" diskette to me will be sent that upgrade. Generally,
upgrades to software I write will not be placed on BBS systems or net-
works, so if you do receive an upgrade, do NOT distribute it.

THE AUTHOR DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT ANY SOFTWARE WRITTEN BY HIM WILL
IMPROVED.


Acknowledgements:
----------------

This program would not have been possible if not for the helpful advice
of a kind person on GENIE's MIDI RT BBS (Category 6, Topic 20). All I
know about him is his handle: MWILLIAMS; if you know him, send him my
thanks. He explained how the checksums for Roland MIDI System Exclusive
messages works.

Possible Problems :
-----------------

Because I am limited to testing the software on my own machine, I have
no way of assuring that it will work on all other machines. Thus, if it
constantly crashes or hangs up, or fails to perform adequately, you can
assume that it isn't going to work on your machine. It is also likely
that any upgrade will perform similarly. Sorry -- I'd like nothing
better than for you enjoy the program so you could register it -- but
there ain't much I could do.

If you notice that your computer hangs up often, try this -- connect
the MT32 directly to your MPU401 and turn off all your other MIDI
modules (including your main keyboard). Then run the software, exit,
turn on your other modules, and test it. Hope that works.

Note that as a result of using direct screen writes, the program may
be very "snowy" on a CGA adapter.

Source Code :
-----------

The program was written using Turbo Pascal 4.0 and 5.0. Except for the
MIDI communication routines, all routines make use of a toolbox which
I developed for my company (a real estate software firm). Since these
routines are propietary, I cannot distribute or comment on them, and
since almost all the other routines are dependent on that toolbox, ...
you get my drift.

Instructions:
------------

For D110 users, set the UNIT # on your module to 17.

From the DOS command line, mUTIL2 may be invoked as follows :

   drive> MUTIL [edit file] <CR>

The "edit file" may be the name of a file you created using mUTIL2's
"W" option (more on that later); it is entirely optional.

After a brief pause, the mUTIL2 screen will pop up. You'll see several
parameters arranged vertically and the 8 parts arranged horizontally
forming a gridlike structure. These eight parts conform to your MT32's
8 parts. You'll notice a "bar cursor" highlighting a space on the grid.
By typing the + and - keys, you may edit the value of that parameter
for that part. You won't notice any change on the MT32 though, until you
SEND that change to the '32 by typing the <F2> key. You can use the up,
down, left, and right arrow keys to move to a new parameter and edit it
as you did before. Be sure that you type <F2> to send the change (note :
from the main edit screen, when you change a value AND move to another
parameter or part, the program automatically sends the change).

You'll notice that if you type <F1> from the main screen, you'll get a
little help screen showing you what features are available. Following is
an explanation of these features :

   R - if you type this from the main screen, you'll get a little window
       showing you the reverb paramters you may edit on the MT32. Use the
       cursor up and down keys to highlight the paramter of your choice
       and the + and - keys to change the value. Be sure to send the edit
       using the <F2> key. To get back to the main screen, type <Esc>.

   W - the first time you type this from the main screen, you'll be asked
       to enter a filename. Enter a valid filename and type <return> (note:
       it is your responsibility to make sure that you type a valid file-
       name -- if the file exists, it will be overwritten). At this point,
       mUTIL2 will be in "RECORD" mode, dutifully recording whatever
       changes you make. All changes you make will be saved to the file
       you specified UNTIL YOU TYPE THE "W" KEY AGAIN.

   L - loads a file of changes made using the "W" option and sends each
       change to the MT32 as it is read from the file. Note that if you
       specify a file on the command line (i.e. if you include an input
       filename when you invoke mUTIL2), that file will be loaded and
       sent automatically to the MT32.

<Esc> terminates the program unless you are in REVERB edit.




And that's all folks. The utility is much simpler to use now although
some of you will no doubt miss the rhythm part editing capability. Never
fear, that will need will be met in a separate rhythm setup utility which
should come out after the release of my MT32 editor/librarian utilities.