issue11

EMUSIC-L Digest                                      Volume 46, Issue 11

This issue's topics:
	
	E-mu EIII
	juno 106 again (2 messages)
	PAiA
	real name for GR-50
	Roland JV-80 Suggestions wanted... (4 messages)
	Roland SC-7
	Yamaha V50? (2 messages)

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------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date:         Tue, 24 Nov 1992 07:49:31 GMT
From:         Robert Joyce 
Subject:      E-mu EIII

Greetings!

I'm interested in finding out more about the rackmount
sampler E-mu EIII.  Has anyone any info on this unit? Or
better yet, do you know of a review in Keyboard or EM?
thanks for your help...

Robert

------------------------------
Date:         Sat, 14 Nov 1992 22:04:12 +0000
From:         Nick Rothwell 
Subject:      Re: Spec question

>I called Roland and the rep. said
>that there is no Midi Data Spec for the juno-106 in the USA (maybe in
>Japan).  He explained that way back in those days (an analog
>frontiersman) most of the midi spec were considered proprietory, so they
>were not released to the gen. public.

The Juno isn't exactly an old machine. You should at least be able to get a
manual out of Roland, and my J106 manual had the full SysEx. It's pretty
simple from what I remember.

Nick.

------------------------------
Date:         Tue, 17 Nov 1992 12:33:41 EST
From:         eric 
Subject:      juno 106 again

lordy, don't you people ever change your subject headers?

anyway... i just came across nick's answer to a post i don't think i
saw. something about that juno 106 sysex spec again.
it's true that it was never published by roland in the 'public'
domain, but it's also true that alot of manufacturers used to do that,
even though it was severely contrary to the MIDI Manufacturer's
agreement... presumably because everyone had dreams of producing
their own proprietary editing software. they discovered later, of course, that
it was sometimes the case that the ready availability of such software that
sodl the machines, not the other way around... strike a blow for laissez-
faire. anyway, now everyone publishes the spec pretty much out of hand.
but i remember having to sign a nondisclosure agreement with akai at one
time, just so i could do a little computer programming of one of their
blasted instruments.
but to get to the point... the sysex for the 106 is available. just
a couple of weeks ago i pulled it out of DeFuria/Scacciaferro's
System Exclusive Book and typed a quicky version of it here. i don't
have it online, and i'm not going to type it again. check the archives
for the past month.

-----------< Cognitive Dissonance is a 20th Century Art Form >-----------
Eric Harnden (Ronin)
 or 
The American University Physics Dept.
4400 Mass. Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20016-8058
(202) 885-2748
---------------------< Join the Cognitive Dissidents >-------------------

------------------------------
Date:         Thu, 19 Nov 1992 14:22:04 EST
From:         wbf@ALUX1.ATT.COM
Subject:      PAiA


Eric Harnden (Ronin) wrote:
> 3) which reminds me... i got the paia midi/cv convertor and i like it.
>    let me know if you want to hear more.

Yes, please do.  Also, if you can supply an address or phone number so I
can get a catalog.

Bill

------------------------------
Date:         Mon, 9 Nov 1992 17:00:17 EST
From:         "(Simon Weatherill)" 
Subject:      real name for GR-50

I'm trying to remember the other name for Roland's GR-50.  The GR-50
(MIDI Guitar) is built around another Roland synth, but I can't
remember what it is.  It's not in any of the documentation that I have
either.  Can someone please tell me what is really behind a GR-50?
Thanks.


				Simon A.T. Weatherill
				Senior Network Engineer

+---------------------------------------------------------------+
+ Burlington Coat Factory      Voice: (603) 448-5000            +
+ Etna Road, HC61 Box 1B         Fax: (603) 448-6859            +
+ Lebanon, NH 03766         Internet: simon.weatherill@coat.com +
+---------------------------------------------------------------+

------------------------------
Date:         Mon, 16 Nov 1992 10:41:54 CST
From:         Galen Tillery 
Subject:      Roland JV-80 Suggestions wanted...

I recently visited a local music shop where I saw the Roland JV-80.  From
all indications, it seems to be a very good product.  I was also pleased
with its price (around $1600) and the number of sounds/samplings.

Has anyone on the list had experience with the JV-80?

I will be connecting it with MIDI through a 486-33 running Cakewalk,
Band-in-a-box, etc.  Also, is it possible to do any voice syhthesis through
the Roland?

I would prefer to keep my costs below $2000.  Would the Roland be the best
buy?  Any reply would be appreciated.

Galen.

------------------------------
Date:         Mon, 16 Nov 1992 18:47:05 +0100
From:         Adam MIROWSKI 
Subject:      Re: Roland JV-80 Suggestions wanted...

> I recently visited a local music shop where I saw the Roland JV-80.  From
> all indications, it seems to be a very good product.  I was also pleased
> with its price (around $1600) and the number of sounds/samplings.
>
> Has anyone on the list had experience with the JV-80?

I have played with it a bit. What I dislike:
- only 8+1 parts, so no GM compatibility (think about
  games)
- external performances do not store Bank Changes so
  it cannot be used to properly control Roland GS devices
- no diskette drive and no sequencer (I would like a device
  to record music from the various games I have, and
  Windows is of no help - I have 2 midi interfaces -
  because of the timings)
- small display
- presets cannot be wiped out
- limited effects: reverb and chorus only
- boring demo songs (by Eric Pershing and Adrian Lyne(?))

> I would prefer to keep my costs below $2000.  Would the Roland be the best
> buy?  Any reply would be appreciated.

Someone suggested recently that a used D-70 could be
a better deal. I didn't have the time to listen to
the D-70 much (they are only on display in used gear
stores now, although still in Roland's catalog), but
have studied the manual carefully and the architecture
seems the same, except for the "synthesis" mode where
the D-70 loops over variable portions of samples (DLM)
and the JV-80 adds harmonics to the samples (FXM).
The D-70 has also 5+1 parts but 30 voice generators
instead of 28.

------------------------------
Date:         Tue, 17 Nov 1992 14:54:19 GMT
From:         Martin Liebl 
Subject:      Re: Roland JV-80 Suggestions wanted...

In article <9211161747.AA28677@chorus.chorus.fr>,         Adam MIROWSKI
 writes:
|> I have played with it a bit. What I dislike:
|> - only 8+1 parts, so no GM compatibility (think about
|>   games)
|> - external performances do not store Bank Changes so
|>   it cannot be used to properly control Roland GS devices

Right, if you got to have GM/GS, how about the JV-30 (keyboard
version of Canvas) ? It's cheaper also

|> - small display

But very efficient and fast access to every parameter and page; editing
goes as easy as with my Wavestation (which has a display three times
as big).

|> - presets cannot be wiped out

Yeah, I don't like this point, too; but with the 64 internal and the 64 card
patches which I can overwrite, it's not too bad.

|> - limited effects: reverb and chorus only

The same as ev'ry Roland unit

|> > I would prefer to keep my costs below $2000.  Would the Roland be the best
|> > buy?  Any reply would be appreciated.
|>
|> Someone suggested recently that a used D-70 could be
|> a better deal. I didn't have the time to listen to
|> the D-70 much (they are only on display in used gear
|> stores now, although still in Roland's catalog), but
|> have studied the manual carefully and the architecture
|> seems the same, except for the "synthesis" mode where
|> the D-70 loops over variable portions of samples (DLM)
|> and the JV-80 adds harmonics to the samples (FXM).
|> The D-70 has also 5+1 parts but 30 voice generators
|> instead of 28.

Some words for the JV-80:
It was not developed as another GS/GM unit (SC55/Canvas or JV-30) or as another
workstation (W-30), therefore the lack of sequencer/GS standard/floppy drive
(personally: I didn't want to buy the third built-in sequencer because of my
MS win sequencer and the additional hardware seq I own);

Take the JV-80 for what it was made: A keyboard with multimode possibility
and one of the best sounding machines presently available; every single
sound/patch/part is made by up to four samples(out of up to 14 MB sample-ROM)
On some things there may be better units (like Wavestation/SY85/SY99), but
(on my opinion) none of them has the power like the JV-80 to beat its sounds
through a complex orchestration.

And if you have a MS win sequencer which uses Multimedia extensions (like
WinJam),
you can make patchmaps and drummaps, so you're not having problems accessing
GM/GS patch numbers; the only limitation is then the 8+1 tracks

A word for the D-70: (please no flames, this is personal opinion rather
than Roland official news)
The D-70 is a not very satisfying mixture of the U20/U220 with D-50 and a
little
masterkeyboard in it. If you're going to use it with a sequencer the 5+1 tracks
are maybe not satisfying. If you try to get e.g. a string as warm and powerful
as the JV-80, you'll use up the additional 2 voices.


&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
&&&&&   Martin J. Liebl                                         &&&&&
&&&&&   Hartstr.17, D-8057 Eching, Germany                      &&&&&
&&&&&   Email: lieblm@sunbode12.informatik.tu-muenchen.de       &&&&&
&&&&&   Project: Practical Experiments On Murphy's Law ...      &&&&&
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

------------------------------
Date:         Wed, 18 Nov 1992 20:16:34 +0000
From:         Nick Rothwell 
Subject:      Re: Roland JV-80 Suggestions wanted...

>A word for the D-70: (please no flames, this is personal opinion rather
>than Roland official news)
>The D-70 is a not very satisfying mixture of the U20/U220 with D-50 and a
>little
>masterkeyboard in it.

I'm quite happy with my D-70. The main point is that it's a light 76-note
keyboard with a remarkably nice, open voice architecture for a sample
player. It has a fairly impressive sound with a nice bottom-end.

The JV is probably better in many respects (apart from keyboard length),
but I'm a little tired of tracking Roland sample player technology, and I
own four Roland synths, so I'm laying off them until something original
comes along.


                      Nick Rothwell  |  cassiel@cassiel.demon.co.uk
   CASSIEL Contemporary Music/Dance  |  cassiel@cix.compulink.co.uk

------------------------------
Date:         Wed, 25 Nov 1992 01:09:00 PST
From:         AUNE_N@PLU.BITNET
Subject:      Roland SC-7

I am writing to find more information about Roland's new SC-7 General MIDI
Sound Module (yeah, I know, another GS module..), a digital signal processor
that offers 16 bit sound and audio-mixing capabilities.

It retails for $399 and includes two audio-input and two audio-output ports
for recording, mixing, and playing back sounds in 16 bit stereo instead of the
Mac's built in eight-bit mono.

The information I got was from the 11/16/92 issue of MacWeek, pg. 38. I would
like to know how this module compares to the Roland Sound Canvas, and how
its 16 bit recording capabilities compare to an AudioMedia card. I would
assume that Keyboard Magazine or Electronic Musician will be reviewing it
shortly but I thought some of you professionals (Roland engineers?) might
have the inside scoop.

Thanks-
Nate Aune
aune_n@plu.bitnet
Pacific Lutheran University

------------------------------
Date:         Mon, 16 Nov 1992 16:07:57 GMT
From:         MFMAPWN@FS1.ART.MANCHESTER.AC.UK
Subject:      Yamaha V50?

Hello,

    Does anyone out there know of any MIDI software compatible with
the Yamaha V50? Does anyone out there even know that this keyboard
exists? I'd appreciate any response.

Thanks,

Barney Nuon

University of Manchester, U.K.:

       MFMAPWN@fs1.art.man.ac.uk
or:    nuon@nessie.mcc.ac.uk

Lafayette College, U.S.A.:

       nuonb@lafcol.lafayette.edu
or:    nuonw@lafvax.lafayette.edu
or:    NW40@LAFAYACS.BITNET

------------------------------
Date:         Tue, 17 Nov 1992 07:45:41 CST
From:         crispen 
Subject:      Re: Yamaha V50?

MFMAPWN@FS1.ART.MANCHESTER.AC.UK (Barney Nuon) asks

>    Does anyone out there know of any MIDI software compatible with
>the Yamaha V50? Does anyone out there even know that this keyboard
>exists? I'd appreciate any response.

Well, here's what I've got (and I should say it's by no means
fancy or even complete).  It's called v50lib, it's in C, and it runs
under Unix on a Sun, reading and writing V50 disks.

I've got a bunch of listing utilities: a nifty one-page listing of
all the Voices and Performances in a file, with lots of info on each;
a long listing thingy that lists all the parameters of all the voices
in a file; a thing that makes a master voice list and master performance
list from a bunch of files; a dealy that lists the master voice list
by algorithm; another thangy that shows the differences between
two voices; and a final whatchamacallit that finds all the voice
duplicates in the master voice list file (by degree of similarity).

And I've got a thingamabob that converts a DX11 archive file (like
you can get in the MIDI archive) into a bunch of V%) SYN files.
Note that the DX11 library doesn't have any aftertouch parameters,
but has breath controller parameters.  There's also a thingummy that
moves the breath controller data to aftertouch and also makes a
Performance consisting of two duplicated and slightly detuned Voices
with a Tasteful Reverb (tm) -- one Performance for each Voice.

The only Unix stuff these use are stdio.h and string.h, which I assume
without any knowledge that people with Pieces of Chit have or can mimic.

Anyway, if any of this lot sounds interesting to you, send me private
email and I'll send it off tarred, compressed and uuencoded.  I refuse
to fool with proprietary crap like zip or arc.

So far I do NOT have a computer next to my V50, so I haven't been
interested in writing stuff like ed/libs and sequencers.  But the data
in my v50.h file should be the basis of a nice ed/lib.  Hell, all I did
was translate the stuff in the back of the manual into C and then solve
a couple of problems I was having.
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Rev. Bob "Bob" Crispen        |            "IT FOUND ME!"            |
| crispen@foxy.boeing.com       |      Campus Crusade for Cthulhu      |
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------+

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End of the EMUSIC-L Digest
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