Tech: New MIDI file player available

Subject: RE: Tech: New MIDI file player available
From: pavane
Date: 11 Feb 09 - 02:16 AM

Forgot to say the letters on the buttons like C-Play and X-Words are hotkeys. May look like strange choices, but Mrs Pavane wanted them all on the bottom row of the keyboard, for easy access in a darkened room (during a gig)

Subject: RE: Tech: New MIDI file player available
From: pavane
Date: 10 Feb 09 - 06:28 AM

You can also

Change the MIDI output device, so that you can use an external sound module (e.g. via USB MIDI cable)

Copy MIDI and words files from one folder to another
Display the words while the file is playing (Static, not KARAOKE style).

Notes:
Do NOT use the K - Karaoke button, it needs a specific Karaoke program to be installed.

If you select the X - Words option, you must then also click on PLAY on the new form. This is to give you time to adjust the font before playing the song.

Subject: RE: Tech: New MIDI file player available
From: pavane
Date: 10 Feb 09 - 06:19 AM

I have now uploaded the first version of this program to a private area on my web site, for anyone who wishes to try it

At the moment, because it hasn't yet been packaged as a full install, you will have to install my program Midi Chords FIRST, in order to install all the components (OCX files) needed.

Go to www.chappuzeau.net
click on the Private Area link, and enter the password as below (All lower case)

midigig

You can then download the two items as zips. Install instructions are shown as well.

The functionality is described in items on the HELP menu, but should be fairly clear from the command buttons too.

1. You can play MIDI files from the list
2. Yo can make up, save and use playlists
3. You can edit the MIDI files to change the key, or tempo
4. You can mute selected channels, to remove the lead if present
5. You can display the words from a text file linked to the MIDI (Must have the same name and be in the same folder)
6. You can edit the words
7. You can find all MIDI files in a folder, optionally searching subfolders
8. You can also search for text files and playlists
9. The search results will also display any title encoded in the MIDI file
10. You can rename a file to use the title as filename (Many MIDI filenames do not tell you what the song is!)
11. Any time you copy or rename a file, the associated word file, if present, is also renamed or copied.
12. No files are ever deleted, simply renamed with an extension which hides them from the view. File extensions B00 thru B99 are used.

Hope this helps someone! Please let me know.












NOTE:
The screen is fixed at the moment, sized for Mrs Pavane's laptop.
If the display of the main form is too wide, you can find the SAVE command on the menu instead. Other forms shouldn't matter.

Subject: RE: Tech: New MIDI file player available
From: pavane
Date: 09 Feb 09 - 07:28 AM

I will be uploading this program to my site in a couple of days.
Watch this space

Subject: RE: Tech: New MIDI file player available
From: pavane
Date: 04 Feb 09 - 02:19 AM

Guest,
I have just about finished it now, by adding playlist creation and update facilities.

I has to be simple to use, because Mrs Pavane is using it on stage, and it uses large fonts so she doen't need her glasses!

I have dropped the Karaoke part for now, because she doesn't want it. I have just set it up to display the lyric files directly.

If you join Mudcat as a member (it's free) I can keep you updated by PM (Private Message)

Subject: RE: Tech: New MIDI file player available
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 03 Feb 09 - 10:10 PM

I have been seeking exactly what you are suggesting. I am sure you will find a ready market if you are able to perfect the software which must be simple to use. Keep us informed.

Subject: RE: Tech: New MIDI file player available
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 06:44 PM

Pavane

I assume that it will only run on Windows. Since I am working on moving to Linux permanently WHEN I GET A ROUND TUIT... :-)

Subject: RE: Tech: New MIDI file player available
From: pavane
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 01:20 PM

Doesn't look as if there is much demand, so I won't bother to package it up unless someone actually contacts me.

(By the way, re the MT90U, nice idea but we already lug around two big Peavy speakers and a PA. The SD35 is very small in comparison. I can sit that and the laptop on top of the PA.)

Subject: RE: Tech: New MIDI file player available
From: pavane
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 05:11 AM

And it looks as if the MT90U costs more than the laptop I am using.

Subject: RE: Tech: New MIDI file player available
From: pavane
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 05:02 AM

Thanks Guest, but I don't want to buy any MORE MIDI hardware. I already have 3 SD35's and and SC88. These are fine for our needs.

Subject: RE: Tech: New MIDI file player available
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 04:06 AM

Try the Roland MT90U. Recommended.

Subject: RE: Tech: New MIDI file player available
From: pavane
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 03:41 AM

By the way, I have also written a program which should make it fairly easy to make a KARAOKE MIDI from a standard MIDI, but there are still some errors which I am working to fix. Some backing track suppliers are putting lyrics in all their new MIDIs, but are not updating the old files.

Subject: RE: Tech: New MIDI file player available
From: pavane
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 03:35 AM

That should read Roland SD35, not SFD35!

Subject: Tech: New MIDI file player available
From: pavane
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 03:34 AM

Mrs Pavane uses MIDI file backing tracks on her gigs. Since our ancient MIDI file players (Roland SFD35) have been giving problems and also can only use 720k Floppy disks (unobtainable), I have recently written a program for the PC which is specifically aimed at live performance.

This has the following features:

1. Plays MIDI files singly or in a playlist

2. Selectable MIDI output device

3. Search folders (recursively) for MIDI files with specific text in the name OR TITLE of the file.

4. Key changing.
Instantly creates and saves a version of a MIDI in a different key

5. Large font (18pt) is used in all forms and displays so it can easily be seen on stage

6. Plays KARAOKE MIDI files through an external program (Edirol PC Karaoke), displaying the words. This program can also change the tempo.

7. Can rename MIDI files to replace the filename (often a meaningless code) by the title within the file.

Mrs Pavane can then take the output of the PC sound directly to her PA, or, better, use a USB MIDI cable to connect to an external MIDI sound module. (The SD35 will work in this way, bypassing the need for floppies)

If anyone else would like to make use of this program, I am prepared to make it available (but will first need to package it with a proper install).