Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with midi

Legend of Zelda in MIDI

kaozity — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 10:09:32 -0800

I need help to create the Legend of Zelda "get item" sound in MIDI I am working on a robot that is capable of creating MIDI songs and I want it to make the sound of when you get an item in the traditional legend of Zelda games.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UeyKyAXJ9I&feature=player_embedded

I cannot find the notes or a MIDI guide, all I find are downloads and playback of the actual sound clip. Help please :-)

complex scene triggering in Ableton Live

moonmilk — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:06:20 -0800

I'm making a sort of a jukebox using Ableton Live, and I have some fairly complex and specific needs for launching scenes. I thought I had the entire thing solved a few months ago, but now I can't figure out what I was thinking! Each song has several scenes, all the same length. Each scene is the same tune, but with increasingly complex orchestration.

This is the desired interaction: when you put in a coin, the first scene of a song starts playing. If you put in another coin while the song is still playing, it triggers the next scene in the song, unless you're already at the last scene, in which case it retriggers that scene. The effect is that the more money you put in, the fancier the song gets.

When the song ends (i.e. the longest clip in the current scene ends), prime the first scene of a different song but don't start playing it.

I built a little Arduino-based box that sends a midi note every time you put in a coin, so I'll be using that note to trigger the scene changes.

I thought I had figured out how to do this using only follow actions, but now I'm stuck- I'm not sure it's even possible. Please help me figure out how to get the effect I'm looking for. I can change the structure of the Live Set; I could use the python API or write a helper program in pure data or processing if I have to; the coin box could get smarter and send more complex messages.

Cheapest and fastest way to turn a piece of music on paper into MIDI

storybored — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:57:03 -0800

What's the fastest and cheapest way to create a midi recording of a 1 or 2 page written melody? I have pieces of vocal music and i would like to know how they sound. The music's got dotted rhythms and tied notes. No triplets (yet) but would be nice if the technique supported that. These are simple vocal lines (no chords).

I'm fine with techniques that use a short-hand to enter the notes rather than inputting the actual score. Speed and cheapness is what i'm after.

Finger-drumming for dumies?

lekvar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:03:23 -0800

Tips for finger-drumming? I have a Korg nanoPad and an Akai MPD-24, and I'm looking for tips, tricks and set-ups for using them to input drum patterns. I've skimmed some forums but I haven't found any solid advice for setups or techniques for drumming on those tiny pads. I'm not a drummer by training or inclination, but I would like to get better with beat-making.

Are there any setups or drum placements that are more conducive to finger-drumming? Should I be modeling my setup after a traditional drum setup?

Are there any exercises or rudiments for finger-drumming?

Are there any sites you've seen that focus on finger-drumming more exclusively than the Akai and Korg forums?

Are there finger-drumming best practices?

Is there a better term than "finger-drumming?"

Have controller, need synth

Thistledown — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:21:16 -0800

I've got a PC, and an EMU-49 key midi controller. I've also got an Audiophile 192 sound card with midi-in-out connections. What I want to do is play some synths on the PC.... I've been out of the game for a long time with respect to synths and midi, but I just put my PC together and got the controller for cheap. So I ask you...what synth software would you recommend? I'm looking for sounds - pianos/ambient synths to make music. I'll probably use an old copy of Audition to do recording. But I'm curious about what's good and inexpensive. Bang for the buck here. Suggestions?

Good cheap flexible exectric piano?

singingfish — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:02:31 -0800

What's the best value second hand electric piano I can get? My requirements are full sized weighted velicity sensitive keyboard, and midi in/out cables. Maximum budget is AUD400 (USD 325, GBP 200, EUR 230). The Yamaha DGX-300 looks good apart from the floppy disk midi interface. Are there any other options about the same price/quality?

Help me figure out this Korean karaoke manual!

eamondaly — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 08:01:06 -0800

Can you or anyone you know read Korean? Our favorite dive bar bought a Taijin Media Ziller TKR-880 karaoke machine, but the manual and menus are entirely in Korean and we can't figure out how to transfer songs to the unit via USB. Here's the manual. Rick Astley needs your help!

Dead Keys on the Cold Cold Ground

orville sash — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:03:14 -0800

I have an M-Audio Axiom 49 midi controller that I am playing with Reason 4.0. On my desktop, certain keys won't play. On my laptop, all keys play. Why? I am guessing I must have mucked something up with the keyboard config in reason on the desktop. It's not that there's a couple keys on one end that won't play, it's that the C, D and E keys will not play accross the keyboard. It's so bizarre. But when I plug it into my laptop all keys play fine. Tried reinstalling drivers. Now what?

Second Mouse as Midi?

Squid Voltaire — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:08:07 -0800

I'm trying to get Ubuntu to see my USB mouse data as midi data--any ideas? I have a PS/2 mouse that I use for all my primary mousing needs, and then I have a second USB mouse that I would like to use as a midi device. Failing that, if there was a way to get it to send key presses, that would be fine, too.

I'm running Ubuntu Studio, and I can't afford a legit pedal controller. Consider this idea (stomping on an old-skool iMac puck) to be a refinement on my previous search for foot controller replacements.

Assigning WAV files to MIDI events

BishopFistwick — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:03:08 -0800

I'm pretty green when it comes to MIDI, but I fully understand the concept. So it seems like a pretty simple thing to be able to assign a WAV file or other sound clip to a MIDI note/event. For some reason I have not been able to find one piece of software that allows me to do it, and do it simply. Any recommendations other than Kontakt?

Exrtracting automation data

leibniz — Thu, 14 May 2009 06:42:54 -0800

Is there any way to extract/copy the automation data (e.g. volume, panning in real audio or midi) from a music sequencer so that it can be displayed and analyzed as numerical data in another programme? Is there an indirect way to do the same thing by tracing the line in a graphics programme? I am planning a musical rating experiment where participants rate various features of an audio clip in real time. It is really convenient to use the automation data (e.g. panning) of a sequencer programme, where they have a draw tool (in particular I have Ableton live 7). It will look something like this in the end.

So is there a way to capture this data so that we can analyze it with another programme (e.g. to present as a list of numbers in excel)? Perhaps there's even an indirect way to do a screen capture and then draw a line matching it in a graphics programme, and then extract that data?? The ultimate goal is to make detailed quantitative comparisons of ratings by different people that can be lined up with features of the music at a particular moment.

Piano tutor for the Mac

Dali Atomicus — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:58:05 -0800

I'm after interactive piano tutor software for OS X (Tiger, 10.4.11). My boyfriend is beginning to learn the piano and as he has no musical experience at all he is after some software that can help with the basics of learning sight-reading -- getting a better feeling for the relationship between dots on the page and keys on the keyboard.

We have an electric piano, a Macbook and have just ordered a MIDI-to-USB cable so should soon have them connected up - that shouldn't be a problem.

What he would like is software which is an equivalent for the piano of "Mavis Beacon"-style typing tutors: the notes are presented on the stave and when a piano key is pressed there is feedback as to whether it's correct or not. The feedback aspect is essential - he doesn't just want a sight-reading generator which can't feed back on accuracy.

The software needs to start at absolute beginner level. It doesn't matter if it's aimed at kids, he's not proud!

Happy to pay up to around £20 ($30) - though major bonus points if there's a free demo / trial before purchasing is necessary.

(I know that a computer program can't teach musicianship or technique, this really is just to get basic instinct for "this note = this key")

Try to google 'Reason.' I dare you.

Cantdosleepy — Fri, 08 May 2009 08:10:02 -0800

Reason4 using two MIDI controllers. When I lock either of them to a particular device, that controller's MIDI input disappears. Help! I'm trying to get two control surfaces (a MicroKorg and an M-Audio Oxygen8, both USB) to work on an iBookG4, with the Oxygen8 locked to an NN-XT and the MicroKorg controlling whichever device is selected on the sequencer.

Currently both devices are deliviering MIDI data, but they both head to whichever device is selected in the sequencer window, and they both play the same device.

When I right-click on the NNXT and select 'Lock (Oxygen8) to This Device,' the MIDI signal from the controller totally disappears. Same problem when I try the Korg. Unlock it, and the signal reappears.

I've tried setting one to 'Master Keyboard', then the other, then neither.

I've tried right-clicking on the devices in the rack and selecting lock, and also going through the Options menu.

I've tried deleting one device, and locking the single device left to the NN-XT. MIDI input still disappears.

I'm somewhat at a loss here. Any pointers or advice appreciated.

How to learn music with DIY lighted keys

mikesmeta — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:00:28 -0800

Is there a way to output midi data from MAC or PC so that I can have one in a series of LED lights light up when the corresponding note is played? I would like to learn playing keyboard by example, have seen the casio lighted keyboards, but I heard these keyboards cannot play midi's that I download online.

If the Amish used computers...

Sys Rq — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:58:12 -0800

How do I get files from my modern PC onto an ancient Macintosh? I have come into some ancient MIDI gear, and I would like to put it to work. I have a vintage 68K Mac SE running System 7, loaded with all the MIDI stuff (OMS, Mirage), hooked up to all the necessary external doodads. All that's missing is an actual MIDI sequencing program like Opcode Vision or MOTU Performer or whatever.

Aside from constantly scouring eBay, the only way to get such software is to download it. Sounds easy enough (I've found it), except that the Mac has its original 800KB floppy drive. Fun.

Question: How do I get the files from my PC (Windows XP; floppy drive: yes) onto a disk that can be read by the Mac? I'd rather not upgrade the drive (it requires upgrading the motherboard), and I'd rather not curb the SE for a sexy young SE FDHD. I just want to get the files from A to B in the simplest way possible (is it possible?) given what I have.

Any help greatly appreciated.

P.S. I don't need to be told how stupid and unnecessary this is. Really.

"Michael Vaughan truly believes James Anderson to be very special."

Cantdosleepy — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:36:59 -0800

Help me write a sample-based song! I need the names of films or other places from which I can grab audio that includes characters called "James Anderson", "Jimi", "Mr Anderson" or similar. Explanation inside! I'm writing a song to perform at a friend's birthday party. I'll be using a MIDI keyboard to trigger various samples of his name at various pitches and pans.

FOR EXAMPLE: There's a famous cricketer called James Anderson. I chopped up the audio from some BBC commentary of his 5-wicket bonanza and threw them into Reason's NN-XT. Now I can trigger a crowd roaring and the commentator saying things like "James Anderson, you beauty!", "Now this is the magic of James Anderson", etc.

I'm looking for other places to cull iterations of his name. Another example would be The Matrix's Agent Smith saying "Mr. Anderson."

I'd love a range of voices, genres and styles - if anyone knows of a hardboiled or noir film in which someone says 'Jimmy' or 'Anderson' that would be ace. Famously recognisable voices are good too.

Super-double points for anyone who can point me to a relevent Youtube/Googlevid/Vimeo clip.

Happy to be pointed to clips of people saying "Happy Birthday" too, especially if in creepy or odd ways.

Be part of Jimi's birthday magic!

Latency problems using Oxygen keyboard to input into Sibelius 4

Lotto — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:44:39 -0800

How can I fix a latency problem with a Oxygen8 v2 midi controller keyboard inputting into Sibelius 4? I've just become the proud owner of a shiny Oxygen 8 V2 midi controller, which I primarily want to use for recording into Sibelius 4.

When not recording I can play notes in and they come up instantly but when I try to record in 'flexi-time' there is a significant lag between my pressing the key and the computer recognising it, which obviously leads to massive accuracy problems. I'm aware that there are ways round this in terms of different input methods but I'd quite like to fix it.

I'm running XP and am computer-literate enough to be able to follow instructions/find more information if you show me where to look but not computer-literate to sort this out on my own!

Thanks!

Under Construction

wcfields — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:10:33 -0800

Where are some repositories of Web 1.0 style graphics and icons? I can only recall Graphic Station from its old Geocities days but was wondering if there are anymore like it?

Monome-like musical toy recommendations?

odinsdream — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:37:11 -0800

Looking for monome-like musical toy recommendations. My autistic cousin loves playing with websites that feature interactive music and visuals. I think he would really enjoy something like the monome, when it's used as a music sequencer.

The monome, of course, is very expensive and needs to be attached to other devices in order to play music. Are there other options with the same interface (lighted grid, left to right time passage metaphor, buttons represent distinct sounds, etc) that don't require a computer and don't cost $500?

Mac me a music machine

Hali — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:52:06 -0800

A family friend recently gave my kids a first generation iMac G3 (the bondi blue one). We've got loads of PCs around the house, but this is our first Mac. We also have a Yamaha P-120 digital piano. The kids are away for Spring Break and I'd love to surprise them by connecting the two so they can compose, experiment and generally mess around with music on the computer. The problem? Despite strong geekish tendencies, I know nothing about macs, midi or music. And googling isn't leading to anything particularly helpful for someone who knows zero about this stuff. I'd be grateful for any pointers to beginningers guides, resources, software, hardware, etc that will get the two pieces of gear currently sitting in the family room to make beautiful music together. Or horrible music. As long as they can do it together.

Linux, MIDI - Vici?

papayaninja — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:21:18 -0800

How do I get my Akai MPD24 to work under Linux? "Work under Linux" means "Work on my Aspire One with 1 gigabyte of RAM and an 8 gigabyte SSD."

I'd like to map samples I choose to the pads of the MPD. With Windows it's a piece of cake with FL Studio's FLC. With OSX it's a piece of cake with Garageband's software instruments.

A google search mentions people using it with hydrogen, but it seems as though it's hooked up via midi, which the Aspire One can't do. Is there a way to get it working with USB?

Similar question asked WAY previously, that didn't help much.

Software to generate notated music from singing?

Flunkie — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:41:57 -0800

Can I sing (or hum or whistle) into my computer and have it produce notated music? I would like to sing (or hum or whistle) into my computer and have it produce some form of notated music - sheet music notation, MIDI, or preferably both. I figure there might be some software out there that would let me do this, given the existence of games like Rock Band (which detects the pitch you're singing at).

Assume (as I do) that I am not tone deaf, and that I have a halfway decent singing voice.

Windows, please; freeware is preferred but not required.

Thanks in advance.

looking for a midi/recording of beethoven triple concerto

primer_dimer — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:20:45 -0800

Looking for a MIDI / recording of Beethoven's triple concerto (op.56) where the timpani are clearly audible. Ask.mefi has helped me before in my attempt not to suck at playing timpani previously, now I'm back for more. My amateur orchestra is playing Beethoven's triple concerto (Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano in C major, Op. 56) and I need to practice my entries.

From previous experience, by far the quickest way for me to learn where I'm supposed to come in is to listen to the part being played a few times. The best way I have found to do this is to get a MIDI recording of the piece, then turn the volume on the timpani track up and turn all the other volumes down. That way I can clearly hear the timpani part, but still hear what everyone else is playing.

However, I can't find a midi file for this piece (specifically, the third movement - the rondo - where the tempo is much more uneven). The second-best option is to listen to a live recording where you can hear the timpani part, but I've found a couple of recordings online and none of them have the timpani audible. (Maybe the mp3 compression algorithm is not kind to the pitch of the timpani?). So if anyone could help me out with a link to either a MIDI or a recording of this piece, it would be a great help!

Learning to read music on my Mac?

toastchee — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:31:48 -0800

Great learning-to-read-music program for the Mac? I just bought a great old antique piano that my kids and I looooove. I personally would like to improve my reading skills with a little midi keyboard I have and my newer iMac.

What is the best music software to help me learn to read? Bonus points if it's something my kids would enjoy also.

Appropriate power adapter for a Roland A-33 midi controller?

larsks — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 17:20:42 -0800

Help me find a power adapter for my Roland A-33 keyboard. I've tried what seemed obvious and haven't made much progress. I recently purchased a Roland A-33 midi controller. Works great on batteries, but I would like to stop feeding it batteries and instead connect it to the wall. The power connector on the keyboard is a labelled "DC in 9v 80mA", with negative on the pin and positive on the outside. It also says, "Use ACA Adapter Only".

I picked up a 9v power adapter at Radio Shack (output: 9V DC 1.5A) and an "Adaptaplug" size "Q" that seems to fit. If I plug everything in I get bupkis.

So, can I make this adapter work for me? Or do I need to find some sort of custom power adapter? Help me, Hive Mind!