Midi to Perforation Template Program
By Jody Kravitz
Larry,
The MIDI to roll/book template converter is "commercial" software. Sorry but too much work went into it to give it away. David Wasson handles sales and customer service issues. For that, please contact him directly at 619-481-1663.
The program can read both type 0 and type 1 MIDI files. It runs under DOS and expects output in Epson 9-pin format, although we've demonstrated that Epson 24 pin printers work well too without program modification. The program reads a configuration file which tells what MIDI events are to be associated with which tracker bar/book reader position. There are specifications in the configuration file for almost every imaginable tracker bar/book reader idiosyncrasy such that it is possible to take a MIDI file which has been edited and playend on a synthesizer and have it produce a correct perforation template without further processing for an instrument which requires special handling for percussion, etc. Note that many band organs trigger percussion on the end of the hole, and the hole has to end "early".
I'm considering a Windows implementation since the program ties up the computer completely while printing under DOS. For the techies: the program started its life running under the Unix OS and drove an ancient Apple Imagewriter. I do almost all of my initial development on Unix. "Porting" working Unix programs back to DOS can be somewhat aggrivating, but most people do not have a Unix workstation to run this kind of stuff on. The program is modular enough that I'm hoping someday to have a chance to drive other output devices besides a printer. A CO2 laser would be my favorite... An Numerically Controlled machine tool would be second on my list.
With all of that said, I don't want to discourage our readers from experimenting with their own projects. One of our readers indicated a while ago that he'd printed roll templates with _WORDS_. I'm sorry, I don't remember any more who that was. There's lots to be done by the hobbiest. Later in this evening's digest Bill Jelen suggests using an inkjet printer for printing words on rolls. A laser, an ink squirter, a little machining, a little programing, and a LOT of marketing to pay for it all. It would be fun...
Jody
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(Message sent Tue 22 Aug 1995, 00:00:00 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.) |
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