MIDI - complete noob questions

[BeigeFM]

Hey up!

It's been a while since I posted and I guess I only post occasionally because my Atari adventures are a slow project!

I've finally (see any previous posts I made) got a good working Atari 100 percent. 4mb Ste. Standard CPU. Refurbished. Sd4st and a gotek.

So I took the major step ... I went on eBay and bought a Yamaha dd65, a Dd12 ( needs repair, something to mess with and circuit bend) and a Yamaha PSS-780. I wanted these things when I was a kid over thirty years ago but mum couldn't/wouldn't buy me for Christmas.

Total cost 100 UK pounds. Much cheaper than in 1988. Cheap as chips!

My Next step .. relive the dream of being a superstar like the Pet Shop Boys (it was before my heavy metal puberty stage! Don't judge me!)

I've got a couple of Midi cables on order also... And some drum sticks Lol.

Now my question. I understand what Midi does. It connects stuff together..., but what does it actually do technically? I have zero knowledge about Midi and to be honest I can't play an instrument...

Can I overwrite a sample with midi. Does it actually use data transfer in that way? Or is it just triggering timing? What does MIDI do? Different standards of MIDI? What does a thru port do? I.e. why would you pass MIDI through?. (Also I've read that The PSS-780 doesn't have a true Thru port. What does that mean?)

Where should I start looking to learn what I wanted to learn about Midi and Sequencers when I was a kid? What do I absolutely need to know to begin with? Does Midi work both ways? Can I connect more than one Midi device to the ST with a breakout box.

Honestly. Any advice is good advice at this stage.

I'll never be top of the pops, but I'd love to learn how it works together and maybe do some clever stuff.

Thanks for any advice!

[smoore100]

This is an excellently timed post, I've been trying to relive my youth also and trying to remember how MIDI works.

I've got to the point where I have my Korg conected to my Falcon and talking nicely with Cubase, but lots more to learn!

I'd suggest the first thing to do is get Cubase or Logic or Notator installed on your machine and hook up one of your devices to the ST MIDI ports.

Cheers,

Simon

[chronicthehedgehog]

This book might be useful to you.

https://www.atarimania.com/documents/Pe ... i%20ST.pdf

[smoore100]

This book might be useful to you.

https://www.atarimania.com/documents/Pe ... i%20ST.pdf

That looks great - thanks for the link

[BeigeFM]

Hi Simon and Chronic.

Thanks for the link Chronic will get that opened up after work today and have a read! ( I may actually print it off while I'm here at the company expense... Will see how many pages that is)

eBay sellers aren't so quick at posting stuff out this week. I blame the football. So far I've had nothing delivered! I've still got to find space for it all.

I'm guessing a faster CPU in the Falcon is going to give a major advantage with timing etc. still I'd be grateful to see something working by the end of the week and the book should help!

[smoore100]

I have the DFB1X booster from this site and it has sped up my Falcon no end.

I had some concerns about MIDI timing and asked around about it but no reason to think it will be an issue - after all the TT never had issues.

While you are waiting for your purchases to arrive get the s/w sorted out, you'll need at least a sequencer up and running to speak to the hardware.

Also don't discount metal bands as users of Midi - you must have heard of Godflesh?

Cheers,

Simon

[BeigeFM]

Nope! Can't say I've heard of them but I will get googling.

Godflesh!

I've got CUBASE. Looks complicated when I open it. And it doesnt make any noises on its own from what I can tell. I'm wimping out a bit because I used Quartet a lot as a kid. Pretty sure that's MIDI too. I was Gona see if Quartet would work first then move onto CUBASE. Got a high res monitor so I'm good to go.

I have all the gear (almost) but no idea.

[DoG]

Midi programs

[smoore100]

Midi programs

That is a great site, I’ve read it cover to cover a number of times!

[smoore100]

Nope! Can't say I've heard of them but I will get googling.

Godflesh!

I've got CUBASE. Looks complicated when I open it. And it doesnt make any noises on its own from what I can tell. I'm wimping out a bit because I used Quartet a lot as a kid. Pretty sure that's MIDI too. I was Gona see if Quartet would work first then move onto CUBASE. Got a high res monitor so I'm good to go.

I have all the gear (almost) but no idea.

Wasn’t Quartet a sampler/tracker type thing?