Tracks can be individually muted and un-muted whilst playing, which is very useful if you want to compare (say) the different basslines mentioned earlier.
In the Track Description column you have space to enter up to 16 characters, whilst Track Mode offers a choice of Clean, Record, Play, Mute, or Solo. Just to the right of the track number is a Track Protect selector, which MIDIsoft recommend using to prevent inadvertent modification or erasure of your handiwork - and from bitter experience I must agree!! Clicking on a double arrow scrolls the display in blocks of 12 tracks, whilst clicking on a single arrow scrolls one track at a time. Working from left to right, you can select any of the displayed tracks - access to further tracks is achieved using the arrows under the Track Number column. A piece of cake really.Ĭloser inspection of the track section of the main screen gives you some idea of what information is presented and also what can be adjusted. Repeat the procedure with other tracks to complete the song. You can rewind instantly to the start of the track by clicking the right mouse button on Rewind and, since MIDIsoft Studio automatically sets the recorded track to Play mode, listen to your efforts with a click on the Play button. Once you have finished, clicking on the Stop button terminates the recording. (Alternatively, you can just press Function key 6 on the Atari - MIDIsoft Studio provides equivalent command keys for most functions.) Provided the track that you have chosen is clean, the track mode changes to Record and, following a count-in of up to four bars, you can start recording. To select a track for recording simply involves clicking the mouse on the track number, which designates the track, followed by a click on the Record button. Having made the necessary connections to your MIDI keyboard and 'booted' the program you are presented with the main screen (Figure 1), which is dominated by a 12-track display and tape recorder-like control buttons.
I personally prefer software that is easy to use (this might have something to do with the limited RAM capacity of my own grey matter!!), and the first thing that struck me about the program is that, for real-time recording, it is very straightforward. On my 1040 system, I didn't get anywhere near filling the memory, especially when I filtered out Aftertouch data, which MIDIsoft Studio will do for you as you record. MIDIsoft claim approximate note storage capacities of 320,000 notes on a Mega 4 ST, 140,000 notes on a Mega 2 ST, 55,000 notes on a 1040ST, and 15,000 notes on a 520ST. Now start working on the sequence, the lead solo, etc, and you will quickly find out how useful it is to have 64 tracks available!Īdmittedly, you may start running out of computer memory if each new track contains the part for the complete tune. Before long, you suddenly find that you have recorded a further eight bassline variations, and have swallowed up 16 tracks. Mute the original bassline track and use a fresh track to record a new version. Now let's assume you wanted to try out a different bassline, or even several different basslines. drums, bassline, rhythm chords, sequence, brass stabs, string pad, lead solo, additional percussion. You are heavily into composing your latest masterpiece and have so far used eight tracks on what could best be described as 'first take' recordings, ie.
Well, that was my first question, and one which wasn't answered until I had a chat with a studio engineer friend who said, "64 tracks? Marvellous! Think of the flexibility." After a few more lagers, I realised what he meant. "What on earth am I going to do with 64 tracks?" you may ask. The latter incorporates all the features of the Standard program and more, and is the version under review here. The program comes in two versions: the 32-track Standard Edition (costing £99.00 + VAT) or the 64-track Advanced Edition (costing £159.00 + VAT). The fact that you have read this far suggests that you may not yet have contracted AMSIDS, in which case it should be safe for me to continue and tell you about a new Atari MIDI recording program called 'MIDIsoft Studio'. When you consider how many different sequencer programs there are for the Atari ST, and the dedicated MIDI recorders, it is hardly surprising that people are falling foul of the disease. What is it? Well, I've called it AMSIDS - an acronym for Acute MIDI Sequencer Interest Deficiency Syndrome!! The tell-tale signs are a tendency to ignore any articles on MIDI Sequencers, since they no longer interest you. I've just discovered a new disease which is striking down musicians faster than the plague! You may already have the fullblown disease, or just the early symptoms.