DoReMiX 2.0 is a nifty little package put out by Roland that contains hundreds of small "phrases" of MIDI music. These phrases are categorized by style and instrument, and are represented by icons near the top of the screen. You can create a full-featured MIDI song in just a few minutes by simply using these drag and drop icons. If the supplied phrases are not versatile enough for you, the package includes a program that allows you to make and edit your own phrases. Or you can buy additional phrases for an extra fee. DoReMiX costs $88 and is available through mail-order by calling 1-800-380-2580.
Midisoft Studio 4.0 for Windows is a combination of a MIDI Sequencer, Wave Recorder, and Notation Printing software. You can record and play back multiple tracks in either real-time or step-entry. It can split the notes to treble and bass clefs automatically as you enter them, and can use internal or external MIDI sync. You can also add lyrics to your music and print it out. It has an unlimited number of tracks, and is rich with editing features, such as cut and paste, transpose, quantize, note attack velocity changes, etc. It has a mixer that allows you to set the volume, pan, chorus and reverb of each track. It also has a single audio track, so you can even add your own voice or guitar to the music. Midisoft Studio costs $100 and is available at many local computer stores.
Roland Audio Tools WaMi (Wave and MIDI Event) Mixer shows you a virtual mixing board, with both slider and knob-style mouse controls. You can record and edit 16 tracks of MIDI, and 2 tracks of wave audio. You can set the volume, pan, chorus and reverb levels for each separate track. Having 2 tracks of audio allows you to record a single track, then play it back while you record on the second track. You can then combine the two tracks into a single track, and re-use the second track again. By "bouncing" these tracks, you can record an unlimited number of voices for harmony, or back-up singers. Since it is all recorded digitally, there is no sound loss when you combine tracks. It also comes with a wave-editor that allows you to manipulate the audio recording. The Audio Tools package comes with the Roland RAP-10 sound card, and sells for $200. It is available at Saied Music store, or you can order directly from Roland.
The September meeting will be a demonstration of how to use Karaoke on the PC. This should be a fun meeting. We'll take a look at various Karaoke Players and Editors that will enable you to make your own Karaoke files. Have fun and impress your family and friends. We will meet on Tuesday, September 17 at 7:00PM at the Harmon Foundation, 2901 S. Harvard.
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