Software of the Month Club 1996 June/Software of the Month Club 1996 June.iso/pc/os2/piano/piano.inf

OS/2 Help File | 1995-09-21 | 48KB | 1,171 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Introduction ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                                      Piano

Please read this document in entirety.  I took the time to make it explicit,
clear, and very useful.  It took me longer to write it than it will ever take
you to read it.  Therefore, you owe it to both of us to read it.  OK?

Piano is a Presentation Manager program (for OS/2 2.x) that turns your computer
into a MIDI controller.  In other words, it allows you to play notes on
external MIDI sound modules from your computer's keyboard and mouse via a MIDI
Interface.  If you have a sound card with a built-in sound module that is
triggered via MIDI notes (such as a Turtle Beach MultiSound or Roland RAP-10,
SCC-1, or other such cards, with appropriate OS/2 driver), then you can play
those like musical instruments as well.  Piano also allows you to generate many
other types of MIDI data such as Volume, Pan, Effects Level, Chorus Level,
Pitch Wheel, Modulation Wheel, AfterTouch (Key Pressure), and Channel Pressure
so that if your MIDI sound module supports these MIDI messages, you can control
the module appropriately.


Some of the words in this manual are highlighted in bold text, such as Program
Change.  These are words that refer to controls (ie, buttons, sliders,
checkboxes) which you manipulate in Piano's window.  Other words are in colored
text such as Channel Pressure.  These refer to MIDI messages (ie, data).
Underlined words, such as Pitch Wheel, refer to hardware, such as if I was
referring to the Pitch Wheel on your MIDI unit.  Words that are in colored text
such as Read This are meant to be emphasized.  Words in italics refer to
aspects of OS/2.

This is version 1.6.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Copyright ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This OS/2 Online Book and the related files PIANO.EXE and GENMIDI.DLL are all
copyright 1995 by Jeff Glatt.  These files are freely redistributable, and may
be used by and distributed along with any software, be it commercial or
otherwise, provided that these files are not internally modified, nor
specifically sold as a complete product by themselves.  The only price that you
have to pay is the one that you're already paying by spending all of your time
in front of a computer instead of developing healthier outlets.

NOT SO STANDARD DISCLAIMER:

These programs are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind either
expressed or implied or tatooed in a place that only a few people have ever
seen, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability,
fitness for a particular purpose, and the dubious assumption that the software
has been created by a sane individual who would never do anything that may hurt
you. The entire risk as to the results and performance of the programs is
assumed by you or someone who looks exactly like you.  Jeff Glatt does not
guarantee that the functions in these programs will meet your requirements,
especially if your requirements involve lots of latex and some docile,
domesticated animal.  Nor does Jeff Glatt warranty the programs to be
uninterruptable or error-free, although mercifully free of "General Protection
Faults".  If you use said programs, you can not say anything nasty about the
author, even if the programs inadvertently cause the erasure of your collection
of X-rated GIFs of a conservative, overweight and overrated TV "personality"
plooking himself vigorously with his royalty checks from some rancid paperback.
Jeff Glatt is not responsible for any damages as a result of anything that he
has done, or hasn't done, or was supposed to do but never got around to it, and
furthermore, he doesn't even care so leave him alone, ratface.  You may have
more or less protections in certain states of the union, depending upon how far
your local politician is willing to bend over for some bribe from a business
lobbyist.  Just remember that Jeff Glatt has no money, so don't bother suing
him as a result of any damages caused by this OS/2 program.  Tell your greasy
lawyer to go after IBM, and make sure that you pick 12 really stupid pinheads
for the jury.  If swallowed, induce vomiting immediately by contemplating the
asthetics of Microsoft Windows.

OS/2 is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Incorporated, and furthermore, Bill Gates
is to blame for it.

If you have unreasonably presumptuous suggestions (ie, an enduser who expects
outrageous amounts of free support), snide comments, criticisms, and anything
else other than dollar bills, then send them to someone else because you got it
for free, and you know what you get for nothing?  On the other hand, any type
of positive contribution from other programmers is very much welcome and
encouraged as these are the only folks who can made things happen for OS/2.
IBM ain't gonna do it.  If you do need to contact the author, then either phone
some of the more prominent psychiatrict clinics in central New York state, or
try this:

Jeff Glatt
6 Sycamore Drive East
New Hartford, NY 13413
[phone]

Sure, this copyright notice has attitude.  Get used to it, or kill yourself.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Driver Requirements and Setup ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Of course, your computer needs some sort of MIDI interface card (ie, with MIDI
IN and OUT jacks) to connect the computer to the MIDI unit.  Many Sound Cards
offer the option of attaching a "box" with MIDI connectors to the card's
joystick port.  This is the same thing as having a separate card that just does
MIDI input and output.

Piano requires that your MIDI interface or Sound Card has an OS/2 driver
compatible with MPUDEV.SYS (included).  Information sent to this driver via
DosWrite() must be interpreted as outgoing MIDI data (without any timestamp).

Note:  Piano does not use MMPM.  An MMPM driver will not work with Piano.  MMPM
       is going to die a horrible death anyway due to lack of useful support,
       as well as IBM introducing a new protocol.  You may as well get your
       shovel and bury MMPM right now.  Piano probably also doesn't support
       IBM's "Realtime MIDI subsystem".  I wouldn't know.  I didn't look at it,
       and I don't intend to buy $300 worth of CD-ROMs in order to find out
       that it may not be for me anyway, plus I'm not too keen upon tying my
       stuff to an "IBM MIDI subsystem" given IBM's disinterest in pursuing
       vertical markets like the music market to the extent that Microsoft
       does.  Who's to say that IBM won't traipse off with the development and
       promotion budget, fawning after their big buck corporate client
       accounts, and we won't end up with another OS/2 item of "secondary
       importance" like MMPM on our hands?

You must also know your driver's internal name (which might be different than
the filename of the driver).  Often, this is the driver filename minus the .SYS
extension.

If you own an MPU-401, or some card that has an MPU-401 compatible interface
(UART mode is good enough, but it must be actual hardware compatibility, not
just some TSR software driver emulation such as what you get with cheesy sound
cards), such as an SCC-1, RAP-10, MusicQuest MQX-16 or MQX-32, etc, then you
can use my MPUDEV.SYS OS/2 driver.  See the documentation with that driver for
its internal name and usage, or see the Port setting.

By default, Piano will use my MPUDEV.SYS driver (ie, the first port MPUDEV1$),
and so you don't have to supply it with that name.  If you want Piano to use a
different driver, then you must supply the name of the driver to Piano.  If you
run Piano from an OS/2 Command Prompt, then simply type the name of your driver
as an argument.  For example, to use a driver with the internal name BLORT, you
would specify BLORT.

If you run Piano from a Desktop icon, open up the Settings menu for Piano.  In
the Parameters field, type the name of your driver.  Now whenever you run Piano
from the Desktop, it will use that driver.

Note:  You must omit the .SYS extension from the driver name.

If Piano can't open the specified driver, it will display an error dialog box.
At this point, the program will run, but it won't really do anything until you
open a driver (ie, port).

You may want to specify the /I switch when invoking the program if you don't
desire the card to be reset when Piano starts up.  The RAP-10's entire GM
module will be reset to default values otherwise.

There are other startup parameters that you can pass to Piano, either by adding
them to the command line, or entering them in the Parameters field of the
Desktop icon. These will be covered later.

Piano also requires that GENMIDI.DLL (included in this archive) be copied to
some directory along the path specified by the LIBPATH statement in your
config.sys file.  Often, placing it in the same directory to which PIANO.EXE is
copied will suffice.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When starting Piano, there are a number of optional parameters that can be
specified.  If running Piano from a Command Prompt Window, then add the
parameters to the command line.  If running Piano from a Presentation Manager
Object (ie, icon), then open up the Settings menu for that object, and in the
Parameters field, type the desired options (ie, where you also put the driver
name).  Now whenever you run Piano from the Desktop, it will use those options.
You could even create several program objects (by copying the Program object in
OS/2's Template folder), and give each one different options tailored for
various MIDI devices (and also give each object a unique name).  For example,
to specify the unit MPUDEV2$ with channel 7:

MPUDEV2$ /C7

You may want to specify the /I switch when invoking the program if you don't
desire the card to be reset when Piano starts up.  The RAP-10's entire GM
module will be reset to default values otherwise.  For example, to use a driver
called "RAP10", skipping initialization.

RAP10 /I

Some sound cards, such as the RAP-10, have a built-in General MIDI (GM) sound
module.  The module will not play MIDI messages sent to it until it receives a
"Turn GM Sound On" MIDI System Exclusive Message (although the card may still
pass MIDI messages on to its MIDI OUT jack).  Initially, Piano will send such a
MIDI message unless you specify the /G option.  This will prevent Piano from
turning on the GM Sound Module (if you desire) of a card that supports this
MIDI message.

By default, Piano starts with only MIDI channel 1 selected.  You can override
this, and specify which MIDI channel(s) that Piano should select upon startup.
You specify the /C option, and then follow this with the desired MIDI channels
to select, each separated by a comma.  For example, to select channels 3 and 4
initially:

/C3,4

By default, Piano starts with mouse button 2 emulating a Hold Pedal.  You can
specify a different controller for mouse button 2 to emulate via the /B2
option.  Follow the option with a comma, and then the new controller number (in
decimal).  For example, to specify the Hold2 Pedal Controller (ie, 69) for
mouse button 2:

/B2,69

By default, Piano starts with mouse button 3 emulating a Portamento On/Off
switch.  You can specify a different controller for mouse button 3 to emulate
via the /B3 option.  Follow the option with a comma, and then the new
controller number (in decimal).  For example, to specify the Data Increment
(Button) Controller (ie, 96) for mouse button 3:

/B3,96

By default, Piano starts with the "Effect" slider (ie, 2nd slider from the top
of the window) set to send Effects Level Controller (#91).  You can specify a
different controller for this slider via the /B1 option.  Follow the option
with a comma, and then the new controller number (in decimal).  For example, to
specify the Breath (ie, Wind) Coarse Controller (ie, 2) for this slider:

/B1,2

For the mouse button 2 and 3, and "Effect" slider, you can also specify the
controller name (ie, as it appears in Piano's drop down list).  For example,
instead of controller #69, you can specify "Hold2".  If the controller name has
an imbedded space, such as "Genr 1", then enclose the option in parentheses,
such as:

"/B1,Genr 1"

Initially, Piano also sends out All Notes Off and Reset Controllers MIDI
messages on the selected MIDI channels.  On MIDI devices that acknowledge these
messages, this turns off any sounding notes, and usually resets the Pitch Wheel
to center, the MOD wheel to 0 (ie, off), releases the Hold Pedal, turns off any
Pressure or Aftertouch effects, and may reset other controllers.  (Check your
device's MIDI implementation chart for its response to the Reset Controllers
MIDI message).  If you don't want Piano to send these messages initially, then
specify the /Z option.  If you specify this option, note that the state of
Piano's sliders and Program may not reflect the true state of the MIDI device.
Of course, you can always press Piano's Reset button to force the MIDI device
to be set to the state of Piano's sliders and buttons, but this also sets the
sliders to default values as well as turning off the controllers associated
with Mouse 2 and Mouse 3.

Note:  You can specify options (and the driver name) in any order.  For options
       that require additional text, such as the /C option, you must not leave
       blank spaces between the option and additional text, unless you enclose
       the entire option in quotes.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. MultiTimbral Modules ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Some MIDI modules are "multi-timbral".  This means that the module can listen
to all 16 MIDI channels, and play any 16 of its "patches" simultaneously, with
each of the 16 patches set to a different MIDI channel.  It's as if the module
had 16 smaller modules inside of it, with each being able to play a patch on
its own MIDI channel.

So is there a name for these 16 "sub-modules" inside of your MIDI module?
Well, different manufacturers refer to them in different ways, and I'm going to
use the Roland preference, a Part.  A Roland multi-timbral module has 16 Parts
inside of it, and each usually has its own settings for such things as Volume,
Panning, Reverb and Chorus levels, Brightness, and its MIDI channel (ie, which
MIDI data the Part "plays").  Furthermore, each Part has its own way of
reacting to MIDI data such as Channel Pressure (often used to adjust volume or
brightness), MOD Wheel controller (often used for a vibrato effect), and Pitch
Wheel (used to slide the pitch up and down).  For example, one Part can cause
its patch to sound brighter when it receives Channel Pressure messages that
increase in value.  On the other hand, another Part could make its volume
increase when it receives increasing Channel Pressure messages.  These Parts
are completely independent of each other.  Just because one Part is receiving a
Pitch Wheel message and bending its pitch doesn't mean that another Part has to
do the same.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. General MIDI Standard ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Nowadays, most MIDI modules have specific Patches setup in a specific order
according to a standard known as General MIDI (or GM).  All this means is that
on every GM module, a Piano patch must be the very first patch.  Patch #49 must
be a Flute.  Patch #25 must be a Nylon String Guitar.  Etc.  There are 128
defined patches that a GM module must have, in the proper order.

Note:  When you drop down the list box for Piano's Program, you'll see all 128
       GM Patch names.

Furthermore, all patches must sound a middle C when receiving a MIDI note
number of 60.  This corresponds to setting the QWERTY Octave to 6 and pressing
the z key.

If the GM module also has a built-in "drum module" (ie, usually one of 16
Parts), then each of that Drum Part's MIDI notes triggers a different drum
sound.  Particular drum sounds are assigned to particular MIDI note numbers.
For example, a Closed HiHat sound is set to note number 42.  The Drum Part is
usually set to receive MIDI data on channel 10, and some devices with a
built-in drum module have this module permanently set to MIDI channel 10.

Note:  The QWERTY keyboard counts its octaves from 1.  Most MIDI devices count
       their octaves from -2.  What this means is that, to play the Snare 1
       sound, which is a D2 (ie, a D note in octave 2), set the QWERTY keyboard
       to octave 4 (ie, 2 octaves higher than written) and play the z key (ie,
       a D note).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Piano Window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When run, Piano opens a Presentation Manager window that has a number of
controls that you can operate to do 2 things:

 1. Setup how the QWERTY (computer) keyboard operates.  These controls don't
    change settings on your MIDI modules, but rather, affect how your computer
    controls those modules.  In other words, if your computer was a real MIDI
    controller, it would need some means of setting itself to a particular MIDI
    channel(s), and perhaps offer features such as being able to transpose its
    "piano keyboard" (if it were a keyboard controller), etc.  These controls
    setup the controller, rather than the external modules that are slaved to
    the controller.

 2. Directly generate MIDI events with sliders, buttons, and the QWERTY
    keyboard.  These MIDI events are what control and change settings on the
    external modules.

You exit Piano by selecting Close from its System Menu, or double-clicking on
the window upper left corner icon.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.1. QWERTY Keyboard ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The QWERTY keyboard is just the bottom 2 rows of your computer keyboard, which
are setup as if they were the black and white keys on a piano keyboard.  The z
key corresponds to a D note.  Therefore, the x key next to it would correspond
to a E note.  You'll note that the s key is above and inbetween the z and x
keys.  As you might expect, this would be a D# key.  The left SHIFT key is the
C key.  This physical piano keyboard extends all of the way up to the right
SHIFT key which represents a high G.  In other words, it has an octave and a
half range.

When you press down one of these keys, it sends a MIDI Note On message to your
MIDI interface on each of the MIDI channels that you have selected.  The net
result is that it will play this one note on each sound module that is assigned
to one of those selected MIDI channels.

Note:  By default, the QWERTY keyboard is set to output MIDI data on only MIDI
       Channel 1 (unless you specify the /C option when starting Piano).  If
       your external module allows you to set its MIDI channel, make sure that
       it is set to the same channel as the QWERTY keyboard (or vice versa).

You can even press down several keys simultaneously and play a chord.  For
example, press the left SHIFT, x, and v keys simultaneously to hear a C Major
chord.  When you release the keys, the QWERTY keyboard sends the appropriate
Note Off messages to your MIDI interface on each of the selected MIDI channels.

You'll notice that there is a picture of a piano keyboard in the QWERTY window.
You can move the mouse pointer over one of the keys on this graphical piano,
and click the mouse button 1 to sound that note (ie, in lieu of using the
computer keyboard).  When you release the mouse button, the note stops playing.
(ie, A Note Off is sent).

There is a checkbox for each of the 16 MIDI Channels.  Make sure that a
channel's box is checked if you want the QWERTY keyboard to output upon that
channel.  You can check as many of those channels as desired, and the QWERTY
keyboard will broadcast its notes on all of those channels simultaneously.
Because the QWERTY keyboard is "multi-channel", it allows you to play any
combination of sound modules (set to various MIDI channels), at any time.  So,
you could use the QWERTY keyboard to easily play all of your MIDI modules or
check the setup of those modules.

Note:  You must have at least one channel selected in order for any MIDI
       messages to be sent.

By default, the left SHIFT key is middle C, but you can change the octave that
the QWERTY keyboard plays within by using the Octave spin button.  Click on
either the up or down arrows to increment/decrement the octave, or click into
the text field, type the desired octave (1 to 10), and press ENTER.

If you ever get any "stuck" notes, use the All Notes Off button to turn them
off.  Holding the Ctrl key while pressing the n key on your computer keyboard
is a shortcut for clicking upon the All Notes Off button.  If you really get
into big trouble with stuck notes, and odd controller settings, click on the
Reset button.  Holding the Ctrl key while pressing the r key on your computer
keyboard is a shortcut for clicking upon the Reset button.

By default, MIDI Note On messages are sent with a velocity of 127 (ie, the
highest possible velocity).  Generally, velocity is used to set the volume on a
per note basis, although some modules can use velocity for other effects such
as adjust attack time of a voltage controlled generator (VCA).  Your computer
keyboard does not generate velocity information (which is how fast you press
and release the keys).  Piano allows you to set the QWERTY keyboard to one of
12 preset velocity ranges.  The 12 Function keys represent those 12 levels,
with function key 12 being full velocity (ie, 127).  So, you can change the
velocity while you're playing by pressing the function keys.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.2. MIDI (Mouse) Buttons and Effect Slider ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Mouse button 1 is always used to play the graphical piano, or manipulate
Piano's window and controls.

By default, mouse button 2 simulates a Hold Pedal, and sends MIDI Hold Pedal
Controller messages.  When you push the button down (and hold it down), the
hold pedal is on.  When you release the button, the hold pedal is also
released.  In other words, this is a "momentary pedal" because it's only on
while you hold the button down.  You can specify a different controller for
mouse button 2 to emulate by using the Mouse 2 control.  See the Mouse 2
section for details.

By default, mouse button 3 simulates a Portamento On/Off switch, and sends MIDI
Portamento On/Off Controller messages.  When you push the button down,
Portamento is toggled on or off (ie, if it was previously off, it's now on, and
vice versa).  This is not a momentary pedal because, when you toggle it on, it
stays on until you press mouse button 3 again (at which time it is toggled
off).  When the switch is "on", an asterisk appears next to the controller name
selected for Mouse 3.  If the switch is off, there is no asterisk.  You can
specify a different controller for mouse button 3 to emulate by using the Mouse
3 control.  See the Mouse 3 section for details.

By default, the "Effect" slider (ie, 2nd slider from the top of the window)
sends MIDI Effects Level Controller (#91).  Various MIDI devices may interpret
this in different ways (if at all).  For example, Roland devices that have a
built-in reverb unit often use this for the reverb level.  You can specify a
different controller for this slider by typing the desired Controller number
(in decimal) or Controller name into the entry field next to the slider, or
dropping down the list of defined Controller names and selecting one.

Mouse button 2 is good for emulating controllers that normally are associated
with momentary Pedals, such as Hold, Hold2, Soft, and Sustenuto pedals, whereas
button 3 is good for controllers normally associated with Foot Switches, such
as Data +/-, Portamento On/Off, Local keyboard On/Off, etc.  The "Effect"
slider is suited for continuous MIDI controllers; controllers that have more
than just an "on" and "off" state, such as Breath controller, Mod wheel, Foot
pedal, PTme (Portamento time), etc.

Any continuous controller has both a coarse and fine controller number.  For
example, there is a controller number (10) that adjusts the Pan Position in
coarse amounts.  It offers 128 "coarse" Pan positions.  There is another
controller number (42) that adjusts Pan in fine increments.  It offers 128
"fine" increments in between two, consecutive coarse settings.  So, you could
use the Pan coarse controller to set a sound to one of the 128 coarse
positions, and then use the Pan fine controller to adjust the Pan to one of the
128 fine increments that fall between the current coarse position and the next
coarse position.  Some MIDI devices only respond to the coarse controllers and
do not implement the fine controllers (ie, for example, a device may only
implement the 128 coarse pan positions, and allow no fine adjustments to
those).  In Piano's drop down list of defined controllers, an H at the end of
the name refers to coarse (ie, high resolution) controller, and an L refers to
fine (ie, low resolution) controller.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.3. MIDI Sliders ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

As mentioned, Piano generates MIDI Note On and Note Off messages on the
selected MIDI channels when you play the QWERTY keyboard.  Virtually all MIDI
modules respond to these messages.  But, there are many more types of MIDI
messages that Piano can generate and send to your MIDI module.  The sliders on
the left side of the window generate some of these different types of MIDI
messages.

Note:  Not all MIDI sound modules respond to all of these types of MIDI
       messages.  In particular, old and very cheap equipment may not respond
       to any of these messages.  If you get a response to the QWERTY keyboard
       (ie, the MIDI module makes some sound), but a particular slider doesn't
       seem to be having any effect, then you're probably dealing with such
       limited equipment.  On the other hand, sophisticated gear often allows
       you to turn on/off the module's response to these types of messages, so
       check your unit's setup.

You operate a slider by "grabbing" its knob with mouse button 1 and moving it
to a new position.  You have to "let go" (ie, release the mouse button) before
Piano sends out any MIDI message (and you perhaps hear the result on your MIDI
sound module).  Alternately, if you want to increment/decrement the knob's
position, move the mouse pointer inside of the slider's shaft, but not on top
of the knob itself (ie, to either side of the knob), and click the mouse button
1 once.  If you're to the left of the knob, it will decrement by 1 position,
and a MIDI message will be sent.  If you're to the right of the knob, it will
increment by 1 position, and a MIDI message will be sent.

Note:  Each slider has a small arrow above it.  (The arrow may be in different
       positions on different sliders).  This arrow marks the default position
       of the slider.  If you want to quickly set the slider to this default
       position, click on that arrow, and the knob will move to that position,
       and send out an appropriate MIDI message.  This is very handy for such
       things as Pan and Pitch since the default is to center the Pan and Pitch
       wheel.  Note that when Piano is first started or when you change the
       MIDI channel checkboxes, the settings shown for the sliders may not
       reflect the actual state of your external MIDI modules.  You could click
       on a default arrow in order to send a slider's setting to your module,
       or use the Reset button.

You can hold down a key on the QWERTY keyboard to sound a note on your external
module.  Then, without releasing the key (ie, so that the note on the external
module is still sounding), you can operate a slider.  If your external unit
responds to such a MIDI message while sounding a note, then you will hear the
result on the currently sounding note.  In fact, that's really how AfterTouch
and Channel Pressure are meant to be applied.  Some modules won't make changes
to any already sounding notes, so you'll have to release the note and play it
again in order to hear the results of moving a slider.  You don't have to be
playing a note when you move a slider.  You can simply move the slider, and
then play a note to hear the result.  It's just that moving a slider while
listening to a note sounding can give you a much clearer sonic idea of what
that slider is doing to the sound (assuming that your module responds to the
slider's MIDI messages).

Note:  Remember that if you "grab and move" the slider's knob with the mouse,
       you must eventually "let go" of the knob in order for Piano to send any
       MIDI message.

Some modules use AfterTouch and Channel Pressure to affect the Brightness of
the sound (ie, Filter cutoff), or Volume, or some other such parameter.
Normally, AfterTouch and Channel Pressure are generated by pressing harder and
softer on the piano keyboard while you're holding down a note.  Obviously, your
computer's keyboard doesn't generate AfterTouch and Channel Pressure.  If you
press down harder, you'll only break it.  So, when you release notes after
having adjusted the AfterTouch or Pressure sliders, you may wish to click on
the respective default arrow to turn the effect off (which is what would happen
as you released the keys on a real controller).  If you're adjusting the
AfterTouch slider, you should only play one note at a time, and reset
AfterTouch to default upon releasing each note, since AfterTouch only works on
the last key that you've played (ie, Piano doesn't fully implement Aftertouch).
The Reset button also resets AfterTouch and Channel Pressure (as well as the
other sliders).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4. Controls ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What follows is a description of the controls in the Piano window; what they
control, and additional notes about any MIDI information that they send.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.1. Program ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Affects        Which one of its Patches, Presets, or Instruments the MIDI
               module will play.  If the module is a MultiTimbral unit, then it
               usually can play 16 "Parts" at once, each receiving data upon
               its own MIDI channel.  This changes all Parts (which are set to
               one of the selected MIDI channels) to use that one chosen GM
               Patch.

               Note:  If a module's Part receives a Program Change message on
                      the channel to which it is assigned, then its Patch will
                      change to the program number embedded in that message.
                      For example, assume that a Part is set to MIDI channel 1,
                      and its Patch is set to Grand Piano.  If a Program Change
                      message with a program number of 41 is sent on MIDI
                      channel 1, then the Part will switch to the Violin (ie,
                      which is GM Patch #41).  A Program Change can be sent
                      while the Part is playing -- even while the Part is
                      playing some Grand Piano notes.  The Part will simply
                      play subsequent MIDI notes using the new Patch.

Range          One of the 128 GM Patches.  You pick out which one from the list
               box (by clicking on it), or type in the desired Patch name and
               press the ENTER key.  If you prefer to deal with numbers,
               especially if you're dealing with a non-GM MIDI device, you can
               instead type in the desired Patch number (where 1 is the first
               Patch) and press the ENTER key.  In this case, Piano will always
               display the respective GM Patch name.  If you type in the Patch
               name, you may enter only as many characters as are needed for
               Piano to find a matching name.  For example, if you type "Gran"
               (or "Piano") and press ENTER, then Piano will match this as
               "Grand Piano".  If you type "harp" and press ENTER, Piano will
               match this with "Harpsichord" (since that comes before "Harp").

               Holding the Ctrl key while pressing the p key on your computer
               keyboard is a shortcut for clicking upon the Program control to
               change it.

               Note:  It doesn't matter whether you type the name in upper or
                      lower case.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.2. Pan ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Affects        Where within the stereo field the module will be placed.  If the
               module is a MultiTimbral unit, then each one of its Parts
               usually has its own pan position.  This changes the pan of all
               Parts assigned to one of the selected MIDI channels.

               Note:  If the Part receives a Pan Controller message on the
                      channel to which it is assigned, then its pan will change
                      to the value embedded in that message.  For example,
                      assume that a Part is set to MIDI channel 1, and is
                      panned hard left.  If a Pan Controller message with a
                      value of 64 (ie, center) is sent on MIDI channel 1, then
                      the Part's sound will switch to center position.  A Pan
                      Controller can be sent while the Part is playing -- even
                      while the Part is playing some notes.  The Part will
                      simply play with a new pan position.

Range          128 possible positions, with 0 being hard left, 64 being center,
               and 127 being hard right.  You must center the slider's knob for
               center pan (ie, where the default arrow is), and moving the knob
               to the left or right pans in those directions respectively.
               (This is the coarse controller for Pan).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.3. Chorus ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Affects        The chorus effect amount (ie, level) for the module.  If the
               module is a MultiTimbral unit, then each one of its Parts
               usually has its own chorus level.  This changes the chorus level
               of all Parts assigned to one of the selected MIDI channels.

               Note:  If the Part receives a Chorus Controller message on the
                      channel to which it is assigned, then its Chorus Level
                      will change to the value embedded in that message.  For
                      example, assume that a Part is set to MIDI channel 1, and
                      has a Chorus Level of 64.  If a Chorus Controller message
                      with a value of 0 is sent on MIDI channel 1, then the
                      Part will switch to having no chorus (ie, chorus
                      level=0).  A Chorus Controller can be sent while the Part
                      is playing -- even while the Part is playing some notes.
                      The Part will simply play with a new chorus effect level.

Range          0 to 127, with 0 being no chorus effect applied at all.  Moving
               the fader all the way to the left gives a chorus level of 0.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.4. Volume ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Affects        The MIDI module's volume.  If the module is a MultiTimbral unit,
               then each one of its Parts usually has its own volume.  This
               changes the volumes of all Parts assigned to one of the selected
               MIDI channels.

               Note:  If a Part receives a Volume Controller message on the
                      channel to which it is assigned, then its Volume will
                      change to the value embedded in that message.  For
                      example, assume that a Part is set to MIDI channel 1, and
                      has a Volume of 127.  If a Volume Controller message with
                      a value of 64 is sent on MIDI channel 1, then the Part's
                      volume will drop by half.  A Volume Controller can be
                      sent while the Part is playing -- even while the Part is
                      playing some notes.  The Part will simply play with a new
                      Volume.

Range          0 to 127, with 0 being no volume at all.  Moving the fader all
               the way to the left gives a volume of 0.  (This is the coarse
               controller for volume).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.5. MOD Wheel ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Affects        Sends MOD Wheel messages to the MIDI module.  If the module is a
               MultiTimbral unit, then each one of its Parts may respond
               differently (or not at all) to MOD Wheel.  This sends a MOD
               Wheel message to all Parts assigned to one of the selected MIDI
               channels.

               Note:  If a Part receives a MOD Wheel Controller message on the
                      channel to which it is assigned, then it may or may not
                      do something depending upon how the Part is set to
                      respond to this message.  Usually, MOD Wheel introduces
                      some sort of vibrato effect.  For example, assume that a
                      Part is set to MIDI channel 1.  If a MOD Wheel Controller
                      message with a value of 64 is sent on MIDI channel 1,
                      then a medium vibrato effect may be applied to the Part's
                      sound.  A MOD Wheel Controller can be sent while the Part
                      is playing -- even while the Part is playing some notes.
                      A vibrato effect will simply be applied to any sounding
                      notes.

Range          0 to 127, with 0 being no modulation.  (This is the coarse
               controller for MOD wheel).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.6. Pitch Wheel ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Affects        Sends Pitch Wheel messages to the MIDI module.  If the module is
               a MultiTimbral unit, then each one of its Parts may or may not
               respond to Pitch Wheel.  This sends a Pitch Wheel message to all
               Parts assigned to one of the selected MIDI channels.

               Note:  If a Part receives a Pitch Wheel message on the channel
                      to which it is assigned, then it may or may shift its
                      pitch up/down depending upon whether the Part is set to
                      respond to this message.  A value of 64 (MSB only) is
                      centered pitch, and values below that shift the pitch
                      downward, whereas values above shift the pitch upward.
                      For example, assume that a Part is set to MIDI channel 1.
                      If a Pitch Wheel message with a value of 95 (MSB only) is
                      sent on MIDI channel 1, then the pitch shifts upward.  A
                      Pitch Wheel can be sent while the Part is playing -- even
                      while the Part is playing some notes.  The pitch will
                      simply shift accordingly.

Range          0 to 127, with 64 being no pitch shift (ie, center position).

               Note:  Piano only sends the MSB of Pitch Wheel.  In other words,
                      its a coarse adjustment only.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.7. Pressure ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Affects        Sends Channel Pressure messages to the MIDI module.  If the
               module is a MultiTimbral unit, then each one of its Parts may
               respond differently (or not at all) to Channel Pressure.  This
               sends a Channel Pressure message to all Parts assigned to one of
               the selected MIDI channels.

               Note:  If a Part receives a Channel Pressure message on the
                      channel to which it is assigned, then it may or may not
                      do something depending upon how the Part is set to
                      respond to this message.  Usually, Channel Pressure
                      adjusts the brightness (ie, filter cutoff), the volume,
                      and/or introduces some sort of vibrato effect.  For
                      example, assume that a Part is set to MIDI channel 1.  If
                      a Channel Pressure message with a value of 64 is sent on
                      MIDI channel 1, then a medium vibrato effect may be
                      applied to the Part's sound.  Channel Pressure can be
                      sent while the Part is playing -- even while the Part is
                      playing some notes.  Some effect will simply be applied
                      to any sounding notes.  Indeed, Channel Pressure is
                      usually generated by pressing harder or softer on the
                      keys while holding them down (ie, so you are playing some
                      notes).  So, Channel Pressure is meant to affect sounding
                      notes in some way.

Range          0 to 127, with 0 being no channel pressure (ie, off).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.8. AfterTouch ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Affects        Sends AfterTouch messages (sometimes referred to as Key
               Pressure) to the MIDI module.  If the module is a MultiTimbral
               unit, then each one of its Parts may respond differently (or not
               at all) to these messages.  This sends an AfterTouch message to
               all Parts assigned to one of the selected MIDI channels.

               Note:  If a Part receives an AfterTouch message on the channel
                      to which it is assigned, then it may or may not do
                      something depending upon how the Part is set to respond
                      to this message.  Usually, AfterTouch adjusts the
                      brightness (ie, filter cutoff), the volume, and/or
                      introduces some sort of vibrato effect.  For example,
                      assume that a Part is set to MIDI channel 1.  If an
                      AfterTouch message with a value of 64 is sent on MIDI
                      channel 1, then a medium vibrato effect may be applied
                      one of the Part's sounding notes.  AfterTouch can be sent
                      while the Part is playing -- even while the Part is
                      playing some notes.  Some effect will simply be applied
                      to the note corresponding to the message.  Indeed,
                      AfterTouch is usually generated by pressing harder or
                      softer on a key while holding it down (ie, so you are
                      playing a note).  So, AfterTouch is meant to affect a
                      sounding note in some way.  What's the difference between
                      AfterTouch and Channel Pressure?  Well, AfterTouch
                      messages are for individual keys.  Every key that you
                      press down generates its own AfterTouch messages.  If you
                      press on one key harder than another, then the one key
                      will generate AfterTouch messages with higher values than
                      the other key.  The net result is that some effect will
                      be applied to the one key more than the other key.  You
                      have individual control over each key that you play.
                      With Channel Pressure, one message is sent out for the
                      entire keyboard.  So, if you press one key harder than
                      another, the module will average out the difference, and
                      then just pretend that you're pressing both keys with the
                      exact same pressure.  The net result is that some effect
                      gets applied to all sounding keys evenly.  You don't have
                      individual control per each key.  A controller would use
                      either Channel Pressure or AfterTouch, but usually not
                      both.  Most MIDI controllers don't generate AfterTouch
                      because the circuitry required is a bit too costly.
                      Piano's QWERTY keyboard is no exception.  (Hey, you got
                      it free.  What do you expect?).  It only generates
                      AfterTouch messages for the last key that you play.  If
                      you play a chord, only one of the notes gets the
                      AfterTouch effect when you move the slider (ie, the last
                      one that you pressed down).  Ideally, there should be
                      AfterTouch messages happening for each key being held
                      down, but that's irrelevant here because your computer
                      keyboard doesn't have some way of detecting pressure for
                      each key, and it would be impractical to be adjusting an
                      AfterTouch slider for every key that you hold down.  You
                      should avoid playing chords while adjusting the
                      AfterTouch slider.  If you do, you may need to Reset in
                      order to clear aftertouch from all of the keys that you
                      played.

Range          0 to 127, with 0 being no aftertouch (ie, off).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.9. Effect ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Affects        This slider can be set to emulate any one of the 128 possible
               MIDI controllers.  By default, it emulates the effects level for
               the module.  If the module is a MultiTimbral unit, then each one
               of its Parts usually has its own effects level.  This changes
               the effects level of all Parts assigned to one of the selected
               MIDI channels.  Various MIDI devices may respond to effects
               controller differently (if at all).  Some Roland devices with a
               built-in reverb unit, use Effects controller to set the reverb
               amount.

               Note:  If the Part receives a MIDI Effects Controller message on
                      the channel to which it is assigned, and the device uses
                      that to adjust reverb amount, then its Reverb Level will
                      change to the value embedded in that message.  For
                      example, assume that a Part is set to MIDI channel 1, and
                      has a Reverb Level of 64.  If an Effects Controller
                      message with a value of 0 is sent on MIDI channel 1, then
                      the Part will switch to having no reverb (ie, reverb
                      level=0).  An Effects Controller can be sent while the
                      Part is playing -- even while the Part is playing some
                      notes.  The Part will simply play with a new reverb
                      level.

               When you select a new controller for the Effect slider, this new
               controller is initially set to whatever value the slider is set
               to (ie, if the slider is all of the way to the right, then the
               controller's value is set to 127).

Range          0 to 127, with 0 being no effects applied at all.  Moving the
               fader all the way to the left gives an effects level of 0.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.10. All Notes Off ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Affects        This button sends Note Off messages to the MIDI module for any
               notes that Piano thinks are still "on".  Due to the way that
               Presentation Manager works, it's possible for Piano to not "see"
               a mouse button up message (ie, some other app may get it).
               Clicking on this button forces Piano to turn off all notes that
               it played and didn't turn off even though you may no longer be
               pressing the mouse button over the graphical piano, or holding
               down a key on the computer.

               Piano also sends All Notes Off Controller and All Sound Off
               Controller messages on the MIDI channels that you have selected,
               as an extra precaution to turn off any "stuck notes".  See the
               remarks about such in the Reset description.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.11. Reset ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Affects        This is a more drastic reset than the All Notes Off button.  The
               latter button only turns off notes.  This button also resets
               various controllers to default values, and resets the Program on
               the MIDI channels that you have selected.

               This button sends All Notes Off Controller, All Sound Off
               Controller, and Reset Controllers messages on all 16 MIDI
               channels.  Note that some older or cheap MIDI gear does not
               implement some of these special controller messages.  (ie, On
               some gear, you have to send an individual MIDI Note Off message
               for each note that you wish turned off.  This is an archaic and
               slow way of turning off "stuck notes".  Piano doesn't bother
               with that.  Likewise, some gear doesn't implement Reset
               Controllers, and wants individual controller messages for each
               controller that you wish to reset.  Piano does initialize the
               MIDI parameters associated with the 8 sliders (ie, Volume, MOD,
               PITCH, etc) as well as the Mouse 2 and Mouse 3 controllers
               regardless of whether a device understands the Reset Controllers
               message, but other controllers may not be reset.  You'll have to
               reset those manually.  Piano resets the sliders to default
               values, and turns off the controllers for Mouse 2 and Mouse 3.
               Finally, this button causes the Program to be changed on all of
               the selected MIDI channels, to that program displayed in Piano's
               Program control.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.12. Octave ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Affects        The note range that the QWERTY piano (and graphical piano) plays
               back.  In other words, this transposes Piano's note range an
               octave at a time.

               Note:  The QWERTY keyboard counts its octaves from 1.  Most MIDI
                      devices count their octaves from -2.  What this means is
                      that, to play a middle C (MIDI note number 60), set
                      Octave to 4 and play the z key (ie, a C note) or click on
                      the leftmost C of the graphical piano.


Holding the Ctrl key while pressing the o key on your computer keyboard is a
shortcut for clicking upon the Octave control to change it.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.13. Mouse 2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Affects        The controller that is sent (on the selected MIDI channels)
               every time that you press and release mouse button 2.  You can
               choose any one of the possible 128 MIDI Controllers.  48 of
               these 128 Controllers are defined for specific purposes, and
               have "names".  If you drop down the list box for Mouse 2, you'll
               see those defined controller names.  You can choose one of these
               (by clicking on the name, or typing the name), or you can type
               in the desired controller number (from 0 to 127 decimal).

               If you type in the Controller name, you may enter only as many
               characters as are needed for Piano to find a matching name.  For
               example, if you type "Por" and press ENTER, then Piano will
               match this as "Porta" (ie, Portamento On/Off).  If you type
               "Mod" and press ENTER, Piano will match this with "Mod H" (since
               that comes before "Mod L").  It doesn't matter whether you type
               the name in upper or lower case.

               When you select a new controller for Mouse 2, this new
               controller is initially set to 0 (ie, turned off).

               Holding the Ctrl key while pressing the 2 key on your computer
               keyboard is a shortcut for clicking upon the Mouse 2 control to
               change it.

               Note:  Consult my OS/2 online book, "The MIDI Book" for
                      descriptions of all the defined MIDI controllers.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.14. Mouse 3 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Affects        The controller that is sent (on the selected MIDI channels)
               every time that you press mouse button 3.  You can choose any
               one of the possible 128 MIDI Controllers.  48 of these 128
               Controllers are defined for specific purposes, and have "names".
               If you drop down the list box for Mouse 3, you'll see those
               defined controller names.  You can choose one of these (by
               clicking on the name, or typing the name), or you can type in
               the desired controller number (from 0 to 127 decimal).

               If you type in the Controller name, you may enter only as many
               characters as are needed for Piano to find a matching name.  For
               example, if you type "Por" and press ENTER, then Piano will
               match this as "Porta" (ie, Portamento On/Off).  If you type
               "Mod" and press ENTER, Piano will match this with "Mod H" (since
               that comes before "Mod L").  It doesn't matter whether you type
               the name in upper or lower case.

               When you select a new controller for Mouse 3, this new
               controller is initially set to 0 (ie, turned off).

               Holding the Ctrl key while pressing the 3 key on your computer
               keyboard is a shortcut for clicking upon the Mouse 3 control to
               change it.

               Note:  Consult my OS/2 online book, "The MIDI Book" for
                      descriptions of all the defined MIDI controllers.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.15. Port ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Affects        The driver (and therefore MIDI interface card) that Piano
               outputs MIDI messages through.  If you drop down the list box
               for Port, you'll see that the 4 available ports of MPUDEV.SYS
               are listed.  You can choose one of these (by clicking on the
               name, or typing the name), or you can type in some other driver
               name.

               If you have not disabled Driver Initialization (ie, not
               specified the /I option) then Piano will attempt to initialize
               the driver/hardware via the protocol used by my MPUDEV.SYS
               driver.

               If you have not disabled turning on GM mode (ie, not specified
               the /G option) then Piano will attempt to kick the module into
               General MIDI mode.

               Holding the Ctrl key while pressing the t key on your computer
               keyboard is a shortcut for clicking upon the Port control to
               change it.

               Note:  If the port that you specify can't be opened, Piano will
                      retain the previously opened port for MIDI output.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.16. Initialize ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Affects        Initialization of the MIDI driver that Piano outputs MIDI
               messages through.  If you check the Initialize box, then Piano
               assumes that, everytime a driver is opened, Piano needs to reset
               the driver and card using a protocol that my MPUDEV.SYS driver
               establishes.  If you aren't using an MPUDEV compatible driver,
               or don't want the driver and card to be reset whenever a driver
               is opened, you should turn Initialize off.

               Holding the Ctrl key while pressing the i key on your computer
               keyboard is a shortcut for selecting the Initialize checkbox,
               and then pressing the SPACE BAR toggles it on/off.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.17. GM Enable ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Affects        Initialization of a GM MIDI sound module attached to Piano's
               Port.  Whenever you check the GM Enable box, then Piano issues a
               System Exclusive command to set a sound module into General MIDI
               mode.  (ie, You can force Piano to send this message by turning
               the check off, and then turning it back on again).  If this box
               is checked when you select a new Port, then Piano sends the GM
               message out that new Port.

               Holding the Ctrl key while pressing the g key on your computer
               keyboard is a shortcut for selecting the GM Enable checkbox, and
               then pressing the SPACE BAR toggles it on/off.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Driver Sharing ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Piano allows shared access to a driver.  (ie, Another program may output MIDI
data to, or read MIDI data from, that driver while Piano is running, and even
while using Piano to play the module).

Piano doesn't input any MIDI data, and therefore should not cause a problem for
any program that only reads from the same driver (ie, doesn't write to it), nor
will that program cause a problem for Piano,

Shared MIDI output is usually fine, since when programs are "sitting idle",
they usually aren't writing to the driver.  So, it's generally OK to
simultaneously run two programs that do MIDI output to the same driver, as long
as both programs aren't performing such operations simultaneously (ie, one
program is "sitting idle" while the other is performing an operation that
causes MIDI data to be output).  Piano sits idle when you are not actually
moving its sliders, pushing its buttons, playing notes, or operating any
controls in it.

It may even be possible for both programs to simultaneously output MIDI data to
the same driver.  But both programs need to DosWrite() full MIDI messages to
the driver (ie, not break up one MIDI message into several calls to
DosWrite()).  If a program doesn't conform to this restriction, then its MIDI
output may be destroyed by another program attempting to output MIDI data
simultaneously.  (Of course, even if the two programs conform to this
restriction, and therefore, their MIDI data can be successfully "merged", this
merge process will slow down the operations of each program, and may cause each
program to experience significantly longer delays in MIDI output than if both
programs weren't simultaneously outputting MIDI data).  Piano fully conforms to
this restriction and therefore, performing a MIDI output with some other
program that uses the same driver should be OK.  You may have to avoid using
Piano while the other program is outputting data, if that program also doesn't
conform to the restriction.  But Piano may be left running while using other
programs that access the same driver.

Some drivers, such as MPUDEV, support several independent "ports" (ie, each
port has its own MIDI hardware interface card), and each port has its own
SHARED status.  Therefore, it's perfectly acceptable to have two programs
running which both use MPUDEV simultaneously, and you won't have to worry about
any of the above sharing conditions as long as each program uses a different
port.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. Error Messages ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Here are the possible error messages that you may see.  Following each message
is a description of likely causes for that error and possible remedies, and
what happens as a result of that error (ie, does the program terminate, or stop
transmission, or what?).

An error message is displayed in a message box that pops up and suspends the
operation of the program until you dismiss that message box.

Piano returns non-zero error values only if it encounters a problem upon
startup.  Otherwise, once Piano is up and running, it will return 0 (ie,
successful operation) when it terminates.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.1. Initialization failed! ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Synopsis       Piano wasn't able to complete some initialization associated
               with Presentation Manager.

Cause          OS/2 couldn't start up another PM program.

Cure           Close down other running apps as you may have run out of PM
               resources, or shut down OS/2 itself, and try running Piano
               again.

Error occurs   Only during program startup.

Result         Piano terminates returning RC = -1.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.2. Can't load Exit handler! ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Synopsis       Piano wasn't able to complete some initialization associated
               with Presentation Manager.

Cause          OS/2 couldn't install an Exit List handler.

Cure           Close down other running apps as you may have run out of PM
               resources, or shut down OS/2 itself, and try running Piano
               again.

Error occurs   Only during program startup.

Result         Piano terminates returning RC = -2.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.3. Can't create window! ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Synopsis       Piano wasn't able to open its Presentation Manager window.

Cause          OS/2 couldn't create a PM window of the requested class.

Cure           Close down other running apps as you may have run out of PM
               resources or there may be a conflict in window classes, or shut
               down OS/2 itself, and try running Piano again.

Error occurs   Only during program startup.

Result         Piano terminates returning RC = -3.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.4. Can't open MIDI driver! ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Synopsis       This error means that the requested driver did not open, and
               therefore Piano can't do any MIDI output.

Cause          Some other program already has this driver open and has denied
               any other program access to it (ie, no Shared access).  When a
               program opens a driver for reading or writing, it may decide to
               restrict any other program from reading and/or writing to that
               driver.  Subsequent programs will not be allowed to open (and
               use) that driver while the preceding program is running.

Cure           There's nothing you can do other than to terminate the program
               that is refusing to share the driver.  If in doubt as to which
               program that is, terminate all other programs using this driver,
               and try Piano again.  See Driver Sharing for more information
               about this problem.

Cause          The driver isn't installed properly with an entry in your
               config.sys file.

Cure           Check that entry in your config.sys file.

Cause          The name you supplied is not the true, internal name of the
               driver.  Every driver has an ascii string embedded inside of it,
               which is its real name as far as OS/2 is concerned.  This might
               not be the same as the driver's filename.  Usually, it is the
               filename minus the .SYS extension.

Cure           Contact the author of the driver and verify the driver's name
               for a DosOpen().  Or use my LISTDRVS.CMD REXX script (included
               with File REXX) to display a listing of the internal names of
               all installed drivers, and pick out what you think is the real
               name of that driver.

Error occurs   During program startup, or whenever you change the driver Port.

Result         If the error happens during program startup, Piano terminates
               returning RC = -4.  Otherwise, Piano retains the previously
               opened driver for its MIDI output.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.5. Error with MIDI driver command! ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Synopsis       The driver returned an error when Piano issued the Reset Command
               via the driver's IoCtl interface.  My MPUDEV.SYS driver uses
               this scheme to set an MPU-401 into Uart mode.  That's what Piano
               needs to do when using an MPU-401.  So, I do it this way.

Cause          If you're not using an MPU-401 or compatible MIDI interface,
               then it probably doesn't need to be set like this, its driver
               will probably not recognize what Piano is telling it to do, and
               you'll see the error message.

Cure           Specify the /I option when running Piano, or disable Initialize.
               This tells Piano that you don't want it to try to reset the MIDI
               interface using my MPUDEV driver's procedure.  For example, if
               you had a driver named BLORT, and you didn't want it reset,
               here's what you might type as arguments when running the program
               (or type into the Parameters field of the Desktop icon)

               BLORT /I

Error occurs   During program startup, or whenever you change the driver Port
               and allow Piano to initialize the driver.

Result         Piano doesn't regard this as a real error.  It's essentially
               ignored except for displaying the message.