I have a Palm Tungsten e2 and I thought I might use it to perhaps edit or at least play some MIDI files...

Anybody know how and if that can be done? Thanks. Meanwhile I'm looking into PalmGear...

Shim

Meanwhile, you are posting here most likely on a computer that is MORE than capable of editing some MIDI files...

Why do you particularly want to do it on a piece of kit that is NOT designed to do it, rather than use what you already have? Editing MIDI files even on the built-in sequencers of most arrangers is FAR easier than any Palm software, and a computer, with it's comparatively HUGE display, it's a walk in the park...

Thank you. I just wasn't sure weather the PC I'm using is good enough for editing... (512 ram)

If it can, what would be a good free program to start with? Can you gimme a link?

Thanks.
Shim

You can edit MIDI on the weakest of computers. It takes no RAM (or very little, yours is more than enough) and no fast processor. An Atari from the eighties is just as good as today's fastest computer for just MIDI (in fact, my old Mega 1040ST had better MIDI timing than any current system)...

I'm a Mac user, so no recommendations, here. But I'm sure some of the SZ community on the Dark Side of the Force can make a recommendation or two...

I have a Dell Axim and have looked at the possibilities for Midi (about 3 years ago) with little success.

There is some limited midi-file edit and playback software out there.

However if you want to connect directly to a sound module or keyboard life is more difficult as there have been very few midi interfaces made and I'm not sure whether any are still available. I didn't find anything that would use the proprietary serial interfaces used by Korg / Yahama / others, nor anything that hooks up via USB, because these need special drivers that are usually only available for PCs.

I searched for "midi" here and some hits came up that may assist:
http://www.palmblvd.com/index.html

Excuse me, but serial interfaces for Korg/Yamaha etc.?

How 20th century... No-one's used serial for quite a while now (maybe with the exception of Ketron).

I don't think this is the info Shim is looking for, Mac.

He just wants a reasonable MIDI sequencer/editor that will run on an older PC. Maybe a used copy of Cubase VST5 if cheap enough would be what I would recommend... I've used it since the Atari days, and it, IMO, is the best thing for MIDI, ever!

powertracks pro is cheap and probably more than you'll need for a long time. Just do a search on google for powertracks pro or do a search for free midi editor. I've seen some free ones but they were old and not very good.

Most of the sequencers I know about I have listed at http://www.synthzone.com/midiseq.htm

Here are some free Windows MIDI sequencers you can try.
http://www.anvilstudio.com/
http://www.frieve.com/english/musicstd/download.html
http://sourceforge.net/projects/jazzplusplus/


[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 04-15-2008).]

Thank you Nigel, and everyone.

I'm trying Music Studio Producer. but it seems I will need a more Professional program...

Here comes next question: Where and for how much can I find Cubase, Sonar, etc. for around $100? I.e, the SE or LE etc. etc. type of program?

There's the lexicon alpha that comes with Cubase, but as I now want to work with MIDI, I don't think I'll need the interface. In any case, do they sell such software for $99 or less? (I mean quality brand name soft. not like "Band in a box"...;-))

Thank you "...to everyone together; and each one in particular!"

Shim

I played around with the free program can't get a hang of it... I'm trying to import a MIDI file, (from a flash drive) and edit it.
Anybody know how to do it on this (or any program for that matter)?

And, is there some basic guide on the internet of how to record midi in a sequencer?

Shim

http://www.pgmusic.com/powertracks.htm

Highly recommended

Help us here, Shim... What OS are you using? Win98, WinXP, Vista?

Does your computer have USB ports? USB1 or 2?

What MIDI interface do you have?

What processor, at what speed? (don't worry about the RAM, little is needed for MIDI)

This might help avoid problems down the line...

Thank you Diki and Glenn.

I use a few different PC's, so I cannot really tell you the specs of each (as it won't really help...) They aren't mine. I'm planning on getting my own shortly -G-d willing... What does anyone know about Sonar Home Studio 6? seems nice?

You know what guys, just forget about the whole thing. You were really nice, but I don't want to bother you anymore. It seems I don't know enough about MIDI yet to work with this program. Bless you All. Thank you very much.

Shim

[This message has been edited by shim (edited 04-16-2008).]

You can give yourself SO much grief picking the wrong software, and then assuming that everything else is as bad. What do you expect from free software? If it WAS any good, do you think there would be ANY commercial programs?

Try this first, before you give up. CubaseLE. Cheap, does everything you need, upgrade path later on for when you have the basics down and want to grow...

And finally, if all this computer stuff makes you nervous, if you are about to buy your first... think Different. Think a Mac. No viruses, no Trojans, no spyware, no pop-ups. No problems. If you are doing it all yourself (no close friend who is a guru, obviously, from your questions here ), a Mac spares you the horrors of Vista or WinXP (PC gurus, don't flame me...! This guy is NOT a guru. Would you give a Vista PC to your grandmother, and let her run it all by herself?!).

Everything just WORKS. You pay a bit more for that. What's that worth to you?

A friend of mine bought a Mac computer, but had so much trouble finding programs for it compared to a PC. He eventually returned it for another PC....now he says he's happy with it. There must be a reason the majority of people in the world use PC's ?

[This message has been edited by John DiLeo (edited 04-16-2008).]

Diki, I'm not new to computers! I'm just new to the world of MIDI and softrware recording on PC...

The LE only comes together when you buy something like an interface or something etc.
Thank you Diki anyway, and, no! a mac is way to expensive; besides the learning curve.

Because they are the cheapest? That's what the majority of the world uses for ANYTHING...

Did your friend realize that he could RUN Windows on his Mac? And what was he looking for that doesn't exist in Mac software? A PC program?

But the Geek Squad hate us... No way to sell us unneeded support..! I've been on broadband for about ten years. No virus software, no spyware blockers, only the built-in firewall in OSX (and before that, in OS9, nothing at all!). No viruses EVER. No spyware EVER. My computer, with the minimum maintenance (TechTool Pro once a month) NEVER 'slows down to a crawl', crashes, behaves any different from day to day.

SURE, a 'geek' can keep Windows from doing this... but how many of you are geeks? Or want to be one? You either need a geek friend, or that cost difference between the two (exaggerated anyway because a Mac includes FULL app suites, not crippled demos, shareware and more adware than you can shake a stick at) soon diminishes as you hire the Geek Squad to come fix your spyware riddled PC.

Musicians... What equivalent to Garage Band (probably Acid) comes FREE with YOUR PC? There's a free MIDI sequencer for you, shim...! And audio interfaces, MIDI interfaces, and control surfaces just WORK. No futzing around with obstinate drivers, .dll's and all that geek stuff. It just works...

And, if you pine for the days when you could infect your whole system, just by clicking on a malicious email, well, you can always boot into Windows, and relive the whole horrible experience.

Many well respected computer analysts have examined the TCO (total cost of operation) of Macs, these days, and concluded that they can often be CHEAPER, in the long run, that a PC.

Technology changes quickly. Old worn out excuses can't be applied to state of the art computers. Yes, SOME people will need a PC. But that number drops every day. Especially for home use and music and graphics use, the Mac is the computer for those that don't WANT to have to be a geek...

And it can run native Windows for those that DO

I'm a PC person, and on that platform Sonar 6 Home Studio will do you fine.