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1993-06-16
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==================================================================
<< M1SYSGEN v1.0 >>
Copyright (C) 1993 by Larry Ludwick (Wuffle Software Inc.)
==================================================================
M1SYSGEN is a program that generates random combination patches
for the Korg M1 synthesizer using any standard MIDIEX M1
combination dump as the basis. It assumes that you already have a
way to receive/send a MIDIEX dump between the M1 and your PC.
The program reads in a MIDIEX M1 combination dump and generates
any number of new MIDIEX dumps. The dumps can then be transmitted
by whatever means you have back to the M1. There you can
review/edit and keep the combos that are satisfactory.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
I haven't tested this program on any system other than a 386 with
VGA graphics, but I'm certain it will run on any PC or clone ( XT
class and up ) with at least CGA graphics. Not much for
requirements. It's a DOS program so it doesn't even require
Windows.
ANSI.SYS is required in your CONFIG.SYS (ask someone or consult
your DOS manual, if this requirement confuses you).
As stated above the program requires M1 MIDIEX combination dumps
as input and will write the same as output. You need a means of
receiving these and transmitting them to your M1. If you have a
MPU 401 type card, I'm sure you can download a program to perform
this function. I use CAKEWALK PRO for Windows which has a MIDIEX
send and receive function.
OVERVIEW:
History - The reason I wrote this program is that I needed a
replacement for a patch generation program I had written several
years ago for my M1. I had an XT clone with an MPU 401 card
(still do). I uploaded and downloaded from within the program so
no need to mess with MIDIEX. However, moving on to my 386 loaded
with scanners, frame grabbers and a SB PRO, I discovered I had no
slot left for the MPU 401 (or an interrupt for that matter).
None of my librarian software would work without the 401 and
being cheap I didn't want to go beyond CAKEWALK PRO and buy a SB
PRO version of a librarian. So in an attempt to save maybe $100,
I spent many (not too many) hours programming this utility.
The only controls currently allowed in the program are for
selection of a single combination to use as a model for the
combination generation engine. Also, you can select the target
range for the generated combinations in the output buffer. As I
enhance the program in the near future, it will offer selection
of each parameter which defines a combination. This means you
will be able to select the parameters to change and those to
leave alone. I also intend to allow a selection of the range of
variation for each parameter (don't want to detune your way to
hell everytime). I also have written a program to generate M1
patch programs for my MPU 401. I hope to translate this into a
similar MIDIEX version in the near future.
I know the audience for these utilities must be limited (M1 users
without librarians and combo generators). Even if you have a
random generator, you can never have too many creative tools for
you M1 synth.
Well, this thing is absolutely freeware ( which means give to all
and don't you dare try to make a buck other than the cost of
distribution). I make no claims that this thing will not corrupt
memory or trash your M1, but I've never had any problems with this
or the original programs that couldn't be solved by shutting the
M1 off and turning it on. Remember though to make backup copies
(MIDIEX or otherwise) of you original combinations.
I would appreciate feedback, if only to have some users to notify
of new versions or new programs. Hmmm, I might be the only one
in the universe to use this thing.
CONTACT:
Larry Ludwick
45-20 43rd Street APT. 2D
Sunnyside, NY 11104
Home BBS Infinity Factory 212-274-8110
(also, look me up through the INTERNET, Compuserve, or GENIE)
RUNNING THE PROGRAM:
You run this program like any other DOS program.
In DOS, type the program name 'M1SYSGEN' followed by the Enter
key.
In Windows, double click on the file 'M1SYSGEN.EXE'.
The files M1SYSGEN.EXE and M1SYSGEN.H must be in the same
directory along with the MIDIEX file(s) for input.
PROGRAM OPTIONS:
The Main Screen presents a menu with four options which are
described in the following sections. Menu items in the program
can be selected by moving to the item using the arrow keys and
then hitting Enter. You can also type the item number and hit
Enter if the menu items are numbered.
The following are the four options presented by the Main Screen
and their functions:
LOAD SYSEX FILE (System Exclusive File) -
Before the program will let you do anything but QUIT, you must
load a MIDIEX file into memory. This is a M1 combo dump format
file (you should note that the length for the file will always be
14,179 bytes).
When you select this option, you will be prompted for the file
name of the MIDIEX file. A default name is presented, which you
must alter using arrow and back space keys to edit. When you
edit the file name and hit enter, the program will attempt to
load the file. There is standard error trapping such as testing
that the file exists. There is error trapping based on the
specific format of the M1 combo dump format.
A message will indicate that the file has been successfully loaded
if no errors are indicated. You may now select any of the Main
Screen options.
Note: When the file is loaded it stays in its own protected area
and can be used any number of times to generate and save more than
one set of combinations. The only time the loaded file will be
lost is when another file is loaded using the LOAD SYSEX FILE
option. You can even reload using a file you just generated.
SELECT MODEL COMBOS -
This option can't be invoked if you haven't loaded a sysex file
first.
This option provides the main function of the program. The option
invokes a screen which allows:
1) Selection of a Model Combination used to generate new
combinations.
2) Selection of a target starting combination in the output
buffer for combinations generated from the model.
3) Selection of a target ending combination in the output buffer
for combinations generated from the model.
4) Initiate the generation process.
5) Return to the Main Screen.
Defaults are set to use combination 00 (zero) as the model. The
target range is set to generate 100 combinations (00 start to
99 end).
The numbers and names of all the combinations from the loaded file
are displayed to aid you in the choice of the model combination to
use. You can use this program merely to display/print combo names
in the file (PRINT SCREEN KEY the display screen).
A model is used because the combinations generated will always
duplicate some parameters from the model, while randomly
generating other parameters. The template I used to select which
parameters will be altered will be available for modification in a
later version of this program, but for now, the template is
standard and unalterable. The model name will be used for each
generated combination to document its source. The program
does not provide a display of the output buffer combinations
(another enhancement to consider).
The use of this generation process is simple as is illustrated by
the following example:
You want to create an output file based on 2 existing
combinations. For each model you want to create 50 random
combinations which will therefore fill the 100 output slots
(2 x 50 = 100).
Select 'ENTER MODEL' and enter the combination number
i.e 15)HELL SYNTH.
Select 'ENTER START' and enter start output combination number 00.
Select 'ENTER END' and end output combination number 49.
Select 'DO IT' (this initiates the generation process).
Without leaving the screen,
Select 'ENTER MODEL' and enter the combination number
i.e 84)ELETRUMPET.
Select 'ENTER START' and enter start output combination number 50.
Select 'ENTER END' and end output combination number 99.
Select 'DO IT' (this again initiates the generation process).
You have generated 50 various combinations with the name
'HELL SYNTH' followed by 50 combinations with the name ELETRUMPET.
Exit this screen to save the new file by selecting option 3 on the
Main Screen.
If you do not target some combination area of the output buffer,
the combination slots will contain the original combinations from
the loaded file. Nothing will warn you that you have not used all
the available output slots. You might intentionally decide to mix
old with new.
SAVE GENNED SYSEX FILE -
This option can't be invoked if you haven't loaded a sysex file
first.
The interface here is similar to the one used for LOAD SYSEX FILE.
You enter the name under which you would like to save the
generated MIDIEX file.
You can save the same file any number of times, but you are not
allowed to use the name of an existing file. I do this for myself
because I tend to enter the name of the file I used as the input
file ( I need this kind of protection ).
QUIT -
This allows you to QUIT the program.
If you have genned some combinations and not saved the resulting
buffer, the program will warn you. You have a choice of exiting
without saving or remaining in the program. Select YES or NO with
the arrow keys. The default will be NO - stay in the program
(another chance to save your work).
Having created a slew of these files (perhaps 100 X 100 in a
10 minute session), you can sit down to an evening of downloading
each set to the M1. Tweak, Tweak into the wee hours.
Enjoy ...
I hope some users will reward the M1 community by uploading
collections of combinations produced with this program.