easy beat requires at least a 68020 processor (PowerPC recommended). Although easy beat works with slow processors, faster is always better, especially when you want to play complex songs with many tracks. We therefore recommend using a machine with at least 90 MHz.
To create, edit and play songs, you don't need extra hardware. To connect an external synthesizer or a MIDI keyboard, you will need a MIDI adapter. Using an external synthesizer improves sound quality. For best results, we recommend using a GM (General MIDI) compatible synthesizer, such as the Roland Sound Canvas.
Software:
easy beat requires at least System 7.5. It is possible that easy beat even works with System 7.1, but we cannot confirm that. easy beat has been tested with Mac OS 8.0 up to Mac OS 9. In fact, easy beat works best with Mac OS 8.6 or newer.
To use easy beat, you need at least QuickTime 3.0. If you don't have it installed, easy beat will complain and give you the choice to go to Apple's QuickTime page on the WWW, where you can download QuickTime for free:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/
If you received easy beat on a "UNISOFTWAREPLUS Collection" CD-ROM, you find the QuickTime 4 Installer in the "QuickTime" folder.
If you want to use an external synthesizer for playback or a MIDI instrument for recording, you will need additional software to control the MIDI hardware. You can use either Apple's (now unsupported) MIDI Manager, the Open Music System (OMS) by Opcode Systems, or the FreeMIDI System by Mark of the Unicorn. All these packages are available for free on the Internet:
To install easy beat, simply drag the folder "easy beat ─╙ to any hard disk of your choice. Make sure that the "Templates" and "MIDI Maps" folders end up in the same folder as the easy beat application.
You should also install the EasyNotes font file in your Fonts folder. Just drag the suitcase file over the system folder icon and click "OK" when the Finder offers to put the file into the Fonts folder.
IMPORTANT: If you already have an older version of easy beat installed, read the "Version History" document before running easy beat. This document may contain further hints for updating from previous versions.
Documentation
easy beat currently comes with complete documentation in electronic form. You will find both a tutorial and a reference manual in the Documentation folder. Both files are self-reading documents that you can read and print without needing a separate application.
The tutorial contains everything you need to know to get started. If you have a specific question or problem, you'll find additional information in the reference manual.
If you find any errors, misleading or incomplete information in the documentation, please let us know.
Contacting UNI SOFTWARE PLUS
For technical questions or problem reports, send mail to
If you wish to discuss easy beat matters with us and other users, we encourage you to join our mailing list. Simply send an email message to
listserv@unisoftwareplus.com
with any subject (will be ignored) and the single line
sub easybeat-list Your Name
in the mail body.
Once you are subscribed, you will receive easy beat related announcements and news from UNI SOFTWARE PLUS as well as contributions by other easy beat users. To make a contribution, send your message to
