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SYNTHESIZER LIBRARIANS
Some music synthesizers come equipped with
sounds the others would kill for (Yamaha's DX-
7 for example). But even the greatest sounds
can wear thin and free-standing MIDI librarian
programs provide a means of creating and/or
transferring new sounds (also called patches or
programs) into synth memory where they
remain even when powered-off, thanks to back
up battery systems.
Most synthesizers are programmable and it's a
good thing, because factory sounds in the Casio
CZ-101, for instance, are relatively flat and
uninteresting. But designing and programming
rich, interesting sounds is a tedious, frustrating
process which is why many MIDI musicians
purchase — rather than program — alternate
sounds from companies like these.
DR.T'S CZ PATCH LIBRARIAN V2
Like his music sequencers, Dr.T's CZ Patch
Librarian (for C64, $100) offers utility over
flash. The librarian holds three groups of 16
sounds in computer memory, placed there
either from the CZ or disk, and lets you
rearrange and swap them collectively or
individually, sending them to the CZ's internal
memory and RAM cartridge if you have one.
While not especially easy to use, the patch
editing program lets you see and change each
and every numerical parameter of a CZ sound,
and play sequences composed with Dr.T's MIDI
sequencer to test them out. 14 files of 16
patches each come on the program disk, giving
you a tidy 224 new sounds to play with.
Contact information shown above.
SONUS CASIO LIBRARIAN
The new SONUS C64 Casio Librarian and
patch editor ($129.95) operates in a manner
similar to their sequencers, using onscreen
menus for function key commands. With this
information always present, it's easier initially
and for the occasional user to move and swap
the sounds stored in banks, but the trade-off is
that only two banks of 16 sounds each can be
put into computer memory at one time. 10
files of 16 new sounds each (160 total) are
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provided on the program disk, and again, with
the patch editor onscreen help and less in
general to have to remember, I found it easy to
use, too. SONUS offers a C64 DX21, 100, 27,
TX7 Support librarian ($139.95) and other
MIDI products. Contact them at the address
shown above.
MIDIMOUSE COLLECTIONS
MIDImouse sound collections include luscious
strings, hard hitting basses and percussive and
alien-type effects that can put some real life
into your music. Sounds on their Casio CZ
C64 disk-based collections (4 volumes of 40
sounds, $19.95 each) must be installed with
another company's librarian utility, compatible
programs including Dr.T's, CZ Rider, Passport,
Triangle Audio and M.S.S. Sounds are also
available on RAM cartridge (64 sounds for
$69.96, 128 for $124.95), or on paper Data
Sheets ($19.95 for 40, multiple discounts
available). They have collections for Yamaha
and other synths, too. To get an idea of what
they're like, order a demo audio cassette tape
($4). MIDImouse Music, Box 272,
Rhododendron OR 97049, 503/622-5451.
QRS MIDI DISKS
QRS makes pre-recorded music disks from
their 10,000+ piano roll library, a collection
that includes Show, Country & Western, Pop,
Rock, Disco, Classical, Religious, Marches and
Grammy Winners. Each 6-song C64 disk retails
for $19.95. They also offer a C64 MIDIinterface
(it's only MIDI-out, you can't use it
■vith composition software) together with six
sample song disks of classical and
contemporary hits including Rhapsody In Blue
as played by the author George Gershwin
($49.95). These very-listenable products are
available from Micro-W Distributing, Inc.
1342B Route 23, Butler NJ 07405, 201/838-
9027.
CODA
Remember that a MIDI system consists of a
program running on a computer that's
controlling externally-connected synthesizers,
drum machine or other devices. Choose the
software carefully, going for as much control
as you can handle.