Sound Explorer Plus/SOUNDEXP.BIN/session/maphelp.txt

Text File | 1993-09-14 | 6KB | 114 lines

The MIDI Mapper provides filtering and changing of musical events to allow
music to sound similar on all hardware.

Sound Card installation programs often set up a custom MIDI Map which can be
accessed from Windows' Control Panel.  The three types of maps are:
     - Base-level (MIDI Channels 13 to 16, drums on 16)
     - Extended-level (MIDI Channels 1 to 10, drums on 10)
     - General MIDI (MIDI Channels 1 to 16, drums on 10)

Identify Mapper state so that the Midisoft software uses the correct channels. Examples:
     - Ad Lib (used for Internal Sound on Sound Blaster 1.0/1.5): Base-level
     - Ad Lib Gold: Base-level
     - Advanced Gravis UltraSound: Extended-level
        (must use Advanced Gravis's drivers 1.3 or later)
     - CompuMedia Gallant Sound Card
          Internal Sound: Base-level
          External MIDI: Extended-level
     - Genius Sound Maker 16
          Internal Sound: Base-level
          External MIDI: Extended-level
     - Han Kyung Synthi Star MIDIWave: Extended-level
     - Media Vision Pro Audio Spectrum Plus/16, Fusion CD, CDPC:
          Internal Sound: Base-level
          External MIDI: Extended-level
     - Media Vision Audio Port, Thunderboard/Thunder & Lightning: Base-level
     - Omni Labs Audio Master: Extended-level
     - Roland MPU 401/compatibles, SCC-1: No MIDI Mapper
     - Sound Blaster 1.0/1.5: Internal Sound: Base-level
          External MIDI: Extended-level
     - Sound Blaster Pro: Internal Sound: Base or Extended-level
          External MIDI: Extended-level
     - Turtle Beach MultiSound: Extended-level
        (must use Trutle Beach's drivers 1.1 or later)
     - Wearnes Beethoven audio card: General MIDI
     - Others: Try all choices, reloading a MIDI file after each selection.


---- Trouble-shooting Hints ----


IF SONG PLAYS BUT DOESN'T PRODUCE SOUND:

     1) Exit the Midisoft software.
     2) Run Windows' "Media Player" from the "Applications" group.
     3) Load and play "CANYON.MID" from your Windows directory.
     4) Music indicates that the MIDI Mapper is properly installed in Windows.
     5) No sound indicates a problem with the mapping or MIDI connection to
        Windows.  UNTIL MEDIA PLAYER WORKS, MIDISOFT SOFTWARE WON'T!
     6) Follow the instructions from your sound card manufacturer to properly
         install the card and Windows drivers.
     7) Verify that the MIDI Mapper is present in the Control Panel.  If it is
          not, install the Windows' drivers.
     8) Open the MIDI Mapper and click on "Edit."
     9) The setup shows which device each MIDI Channel is ported to.  Verify
          that the correct ports are selected.


IF RECORDING DOESN'T DISPLAY MUSIC:

1) Check all your connections.  MIDI OUT from the computer connects to MIDI IN
    of your external keyboard/instrument, and MIDI IN connects to MIDI OUT.

2) If the connections are correct, the most likely problem is an Interrupt (IRQ)
    conflict.  Each add-on card in your computer must have a unique
    Interrupt.  Since MIDI generally uses Interrupts for recording and not
    playback, you might have another device using the same Interrupt level,
    and yet will hear music fine from your Sound/MIDI card.  We recommend
    that you try each level available.  On most cards, you must set the
    Interrupt level physically on the card, as well as from the software.
    A few cards (such as the Media Vision cards) allow you to completely
    set the Interrupt from software.

3) You also might be having a problem with your DMA or IO Address.  Like the
    Interrupt level, this might conflict with another device in your system.
    We recommend you try the other settings available here, too.

4) Another common problem is using an incompatible MIDI adaptor with the card.
    This can create both recording and playback problems using MIDI cables.
    We have found that although most MIDI adaptors for sound cards are
    designed for the original Sound Blaster spec, some older adaptors
    do not work with some newer cards.  If there's any doubt, contact
    your card manufacturer for compatibility with your particular adaptor.

5) If the above tests still result in no MIDI Recording, you might try the
    tests again, and this time make sure that you power-down your computer
    between each test.

6) If you have been totally convinced that no other card is conflicting with the
    various hardware levels, we recommend you proceed to confirm that your
    keyboard or MIDI instrument is correctly transmitting data.
        The easiest way to check it is to attach its MIDI OUT to the
    MIDI IN of another keyboard, and make sure the 2nd keyboard plays
    the music.
        If you do not have access to a 2nd keyboard, you could also find
    how to turn "LOCAL" off from your keyboard.  LOCAL OFF designates that
    the only sound you hear from your keyboard is that coming from external
    MIDI.  Therefore, with nothing connected, you can hit a key on your
    keyboard and hear no sound.  If so configured, attach a standard MIDI
    cable between MIDI IN and MIDI OUT of your keyboard.  If music now
    sounds, then you know that your keyboard works fine.

7) If you feel confident that your keyboard/MIDI instrument works fine, your
    connections are correct, and there are no hardware conflicts in your
    computer, we recommend you contact the MIDI/Sound card manufacturer
    for other suggestions and/or diagnostics to determine that MIDI music
    can come in.



IF YOU HAVE A ROLAND/COMPATIBLE BOARD AND RECORDING IS INACCURATE:

We recommend that you remove the Windows drivers (from Windows' Control Panel/
Drivers), and choose Midisoft Drivers.