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NON-MPU INTERFACES
MPU-401 compatible interfaces must be installed in an
expansion slot, forcing laptop users to seek alternatives. Many
laptops use a MIDI interface that works with the printer port,
either serial or parallel. You'll have to call your software
vendor to find out if their programs support these interfaces, as
none of the serial or parallel interfaces are MPU-compatible.
To achieve the MIDI rate of 31.25 kilobaud (and you guys
thought your modems were hot stuff!!!!!.....LC) serial MIDI
interfaces run the PC's serial port at higher rates than were
originally intended. In most cases, this is no problem, although
one software vendor cited potential throughput problems in dense
datastreams. There are a number of serial interfaces available,
and they are gaining support among software vendors.
The parallel port has some potential advantages over the
serial port as a host to a MIDI interface. Suprisingly, there is
only one parallel port MIDI interface on the market today, the
Eclipse HRS-3000.
BUILT-IN SOUND AND PREPACKAGED SYSTEMS
Several manufacturers make cards that incorporate interfaces
with onboard synthesizers, which are well-suited for educational
applications. Game software can also take advantage of this type of
device for generating sound effects and music that are synchronized
with the on-screen action.
Some systems of this type, such as the IBM PC Music Feature
Card (which includes an onboard Yamaha FB-01 synth), are not MPU-
compatible. Roland's LAPC card on the other hand, combines an MPU
interface with a Roland MT-32 synth. In some cases, the MIDI
implementation of game-oriented boards may be limited, so read the
fine print.
Most MIDI interfaces include some of tape sync capability as
part of their design. However, in nearly every case, the signals
that they put on tape are incompatible with each other (with the
exception of the four different frame rates of SMPTE).
SIDEBAR 1
IRQ's - NINETY PERCENT OF THE PROBLEM
If you're having a problem installing an interface card in
your PC, your MIDI interface and some other card may both be trying
to use the same interrupt request line or IRQ.
IRQ's are a way for parts of your PC (such as a MIDI
interface) to tell the CPU to stop what it's doing and take care of
something that can't wait (such as reading incoming MIDI messages).
SIDEBAR 2
There is a chart which I scanned in very hurriedly as .PCX file.
You are welcome to view it, but it is hard to read. This is all
from the September issue of Electronic Musician, a great magazine
if you are into computer/music interaction.
The following text is a postscript to the chart (which is
MIDI1.PCX, MIDI2.PCX and MIDI3.pcx)
2 CMS-444-EXB Expansion rack adds four MIDI ins, four outs, and LED
monitor; $279. Extra I/O not MPU-401 compatible.
6 Supports Pre-MIDI, 5 volt clock sync and converts to/from FSK and
MIDI clock.