MIDI card and Sibelius

I have a MIDI card and Sibelius 7 student edition working on an Acorn Risc PC, but want to transfer them, if possible, to a ‘modern’ computer. I have an Iyonix and an ARMX6. Would they work on these computers? I also have a Pandaboard and some Raspberry-Pis.

The card is called MidiMax Acorn MIDI card bought from Turnkey in London.

Are you a big user of ‘Sibelius’?
Had a go at 32bitting the demo – pity the new machines can’t do 4col modes – maybe there is a way around this problem.

The ‘Iyonix’ can take Podules – when fitted with a 2 seater backplane.
The software in the MIDI card will probably need to be 32bitted.

For some reason the ‘Ti’ motherboard was made without a ‘Podule’ socket.
Maybe a ‘PCI’ MIDI board is available – that could be made to work.
(PCI developers board – is there such a thing)

Perhaps Rick can help with a USB > MIDI adaptor.

What do you use the MIDI card for – connecting hardware – or playing sound?

Ref – Sib
On you RPC system – save Sib app and the ‘Sibelius7’ directory from your Scrap Dir.

Reset your the program back to the Floppy disc – and be prepared to send the Floppy to RComp – for them to make a copy – which is in fact a floppy-file.

You can now install the program on machines with no Floppy Hardware.

Problem is – the copy protection – which has to be bi-passed – to work on a ARMX6.
(one step at time)

[edit1]
Interesting – looking at the ‘Ti’ motherboard specs – it looks as it can handle 4 colour modes – the ‘Ti’ on RComp’s stand at he 2018 SW show – didn’t want to switch of 4 colours – Mmm perhaps it was do -with it driving a two input monitor.

[edit2]
Looks like that should be – PCIe (express) – is it backworks compatable?

Interesting – looking at the ‘Ti’ motherboard specs – it looks as it can handle 4 colour modes – the ‘Ti’ on RComp’s stand at he 2018 SW show – didn’t want to switch of 4 colours – Mmm perhaps it was do -with it driving a two input monitor.

Correct on both counts – Titanium can drive 1/2/4/8bpp paletted modes (plus 4k/32k/64k/16M colour) on its primary head, but only 8bpp (plus 4k/32k/64k/16M colour) on its secondary.

Thus, when used driving two heads they must adopt the lowest common denominator which means disabling 1/2/4bpp, because RISC OS needs both heads to be in the same colour depth to be able to handle things like dragging windows from one monitor to the other.

As a note – can a standard Directory (ie Non !) – on the HardDisc be Timestamped?

pity the new machines can’t do 4col modes

I don’t see how that’s much different from porting a game to a desktop version, eg:

Presuming that Sibelius calls OS_ReadModeVariables to get the screen address that is.

Colin asked

As a note – can a standard Directory (ie Non !) – on the HardDisc be Timestamped?

Well if it can’t it would be trivial to knock up a module that made it look like it could.

As a note – can a standard Directory (ie Non !) – on the HardDisc be Timestamped?

Whether ! or not, each directory will have a time stamp. Just set load and execution addresses to the right values (I seem to recall that the ‘filetype’ of a directory is ignored) using OS_GBPB. The OS will, when showing directory timestamps, use the !RunImage date stamp for ! directories and ignore the actual timestamp, but the actual timestamp can be read using the usual calls.

The reason for Colin’s enquiry is that HostFS, for example, does not (usually) support timestamped directories. So there’s no point quoting GBPB, it’s the FS implementation that’s important.

@Colin F.

Are you a big user of ‘Sibelius’?

No, but my Son used it when he lived at home and may like to use it again. I remember it costing a huge amount – GBP600? – and the hardware including MIDI card, MIDI keyboard, a ‘module’ that converts the MIDI code into audio signal and various other bita and pieces cost even more. The setup was for my children, not me; but I don’t want to give away the MIDI card and Sibelius software with the Risc PC.

What are you planning to do – is the RPC still working ok?

ie – being able to backup Sib – and save off the MIDI card 26bit modules.

Rick may come up with some ideas – with ref to a USB → MIDI converter – to work with the MIDI keyboard.

A note with ref to using HostFS – what about changing things around.
ie from:-

Taking info from the System Dir
Mixing it with the machines number
(magic wand)
Creating a ‘Sib7’ directory and then setting its time.
*******

Make a Directory ‘Sib7’ – which is Timestamped.

Take that info – modify it – and then Timestamp the !System Directory.

Would this upset other software?

Sib use of screen.

It seems to run ok in the Desktop – when displaying a file.

To edit – it changes to a 4 colour mode – but still seems multi tasking – as the Iconbar appears at the bottom of the screen – when the pointer is down the bottom.

It then prints to the screen.
Using a different mode ie 16col – produces different screen effects (printing to the wrong places – VDU Text/Graphics)

What do other programs do/best way – to use the whole screen?

A note with ref to using HostFS

The problem with HostFS is that it inherits the behaviour of the underlying host filing system. If that’s FAT, then you can have timestamped directories, but if it’s NTFS the behaviour is more complicated, as the timestamp of a directory usually reflects the most recent timestamp of any of its contents. Change a file, and the timestamp of the entire hierarchy above it changes. Usually.

It would be feasible to introduce a hidden metadata file (remember how LongFiles worked?) that would ensure that centisecond-accurate timestamps could be maintained on all filing systems, regardless of implementation.

But if I was going to do that, I think I’d like to implement a generalised metadata system at the same time.

To edit – it changes to a 4 colour mode – but still seems multi tasking

I didn’t know that. I thought it stopped multitasking at that point. That does make it more challenging!

It must therefore be doing a Wimp_SetMode (which would have to be intercepted) and then a PostFilter would have to intercept redraw requests, switch output to a four colour sprite and then continue to the program; then a PreFilter switches back to the screen and blits the updated sprite to the screen. OS_ReadVduVariables would also have to be intercepted by the PostFilter and restored by the PreFilter.

It’s doable, I think.

@Colin

What are you planning to do – is the RPC still working ok?

The Risc PC is still working, but I have too many computers and want to clear some space in my study. Recently, I gave my A5000 away, and am now thinking of giving the Risc PC away.

Reset your the program back to the Floppy disc – and be prepared to send the Floppy to RComp – for them to make a copy – which is in fact a floppy-file.

Why RComp? I am nearer CJE Micro’s.

Why RComp? I am nearer CJE Micro’s.

Why send it anywhere, just use ADFFS and image it yourself.

I’m still waiting for someone to submit a copy to JASPP, so I can 1. Create a disc recording so it can be imaged correctly and 2. See if I can get it running under RO5

If someone could eMail me an ADF image of it to start with, I’ll see if it has any disc protection and needs a disc recording created. Or someone could create a disc recording using ADFFS while they uninstall it, to capture what it’s doing to the disc and send that to me along with an ADF.

Why RComp? I am nearer CJE Micro’s.

R-Comp have apparently got a fair bit of experience of supporting Sibelius systems for clients, as I understand it. CJE may, or may not, have similar.

I have got a Demo copy working with VRPC-DL RO5 – which has 4 colour support.
(main version seems to work the same way)

32bit Demo might work now on a ‘Ti’ machine – as it seems to have 4 colour support.

(If the copy protection was removed – it probably work fine with Aemulor)

When it goes from 4 col full screen mode – to standard desktop – it saves the screen into memory – so when you go back to editing/playing music – it reloads it.

With a bit of work – should be able to make it work as a full screen Desktop prog :-)

The main program has already been copied as a ADF image.

What was the last RO version – the firm seemed very lax with regards updating owners to the latest versions.

Was there anyway – other that send the program/disc back to the Authors?.

The copyright position might be awkward – ref Nemo’s remarks to getting progs working with new machines/OS’s – didn’t work with ‘Viewfinder’ on the RPC – which was a pity (no 4 colour mode) :-(

Doesn’t look like any disc copy protection – like in Zarch.

It has a way of using tokens – to/from disc direct – which can be changed to a file.

If I remember corectly – when the prog is set up – it reads the System timestamp
mixes it with the machines number – and creates dir Sibelius7 in scrap – time stamps it.

So when the main program runs it checks that is on the same machine.

When Sibelius7 is ‘put’ back to disc – it updates it – and deletes the Sibelius7 dir in !Scrap – (doesn’t seem to use the dir for anything else)

Gives a error about being corrupt – it the values disagree.

Also can give a error if the ‘Mode’ def file is too large – too many entries.
(Made for Arc machines)

Each copy could be different – persons details?

The copy protection can be got around – ref copyright – who owns it now?

A way of using a MIDI keyboard would be nice touch.

Hope this makes sense!

If the RiscPC is still ok – how about using !Verma and saving of the MIDI modules – to see if they can be 32bitted – if no one else hasn’t already done it.

Pity the ‘Ti’ doesn’t support Podules – havn’t yet found a PCI_Express MIDI card.

Even with the PC version – has this program been bettered?

It has a way of using tokens – to/from disc direct – which can be changed to a file.

Actually writing a specific file token?
Or is it that old chestnut of writing a particular value to a specific sector on the disc where the value reflected the number of installs allowed so that a “classroom set” could be supplied with one disc and paper licence?

If I remember corectly – when the prog is set up – it reads the System timestamp
mixes it with the machines number – and creates dir Sibelius7 in scrap – time stamps it.

Blech! Disgusting habit – sticking critical files into a transient file storage. People who do that should be beaten soundly and regularly.

Each copy could be different – persons details?

Ah, now writing the owner details into the installed product is perfectly reasonable, then if a dodgy copy is discovered the originator of the copy is known.

The copy protection can be got around – ref copyright – who owns it now?

Making things work on your machine is legitimate (Euro-law something or other) – as to copyright, well one person with one (or more) legitimate copy in use is legal so where would the copyright issue kick in?

The Late Dave H. had someone who had Floppy or HD problems – lost his program :-(

New HD – comes with a new !System dir etc – Sib didn’t like it – poof gone :-(

Change that ADFS poke to floppy – to file – can be then used with different FS.

Are there any PCI Express MIDI cards (down Theo’s road)

found this :- PCI Express to PCI Adapter Card

https://www.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/Slot-Extension/PCI-Express-to-PCI-Adapter-Card~PEX1PCI1

If the RiscPC is still ok – how about using !Verma and saving of the MIDI modules – to see if they can be 32bitted – if no one else hasn’t already done it.

Just my €0,02:

Given the age of the MIDI module, it would seem to me to be a candidate for being written in assembler. As such, it “should” be possible to 32 bit it as it will be “the usual stuff” without the complications of CLib26 → CLib32. Thankfully. ;-)

It would also, for safety, need to have a routine inserted to bomb out if the machine in question is not a RiscPC. RISC OS of old had no fast ticker, yet MIDI claims to be able to do exactly this – so it’s probably poking the IOC directly to read one of the hardware timers…

As it happened last May I demo’ed the Sibelius7 demo at the BigBen Xperience in Holland.
The demos came from the first Acorn User CD; Rick Murray’s MIDIUSB module is from here: www.riscos.fr/midi-maestro.html and my own emulator !ArchiEmu is from www.tellima.nl/riscos/
To convert USB into MIDI, i used a MIDI to USB converter (your local music shop may have one, but not every brand is suitable, Roland is too advanced and is not recognised), and a MIDI to sound converter from www.serdashop.be .
The two MIDI files from a Computer Concepts MIDI card were, in this case, extracted with !Zap on an Archimedes (menu on iconbar Zap icon, Create, Get Module, choose Midi and Midimax). They were not needed, but gave insights about how a fake MIDI module had to be written. Maestro requires to have seen a module while initialising, in order to add the MIDI option in its instruments menu. A MIDI manual is available from Chris’ Acorns:
http://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/docs/Acorn/Manuals/Manuals.html
look for MIDI User Guide.
The fake MIDImodule goes into !ArchiEmu.extnrom directory, so that it can be loaded in 5th-column rom with Riscos 3.11. The emulator’s screen resolution can go up to 1024X768, 16 colours (screenmode 102 with *configure monitortype 1). (it can go higher but either the Riscos mode vetting routine, or Sibelius objects to it).I ran this setup on Iyonix, Beagleboard XM, RaspberryPi 1 and 3. (advantage of the last one is that Musescore is available for Raspbian and Ubuntu Mate, so only one SD card swap away).
!ArchiEmu can also read in floppy disks as images, on hardware that has a hardware diskettedrive, eg. RPC, Iyonix: Menu over an empty floppy icon on the floppy pane at the lower left corner of the main screen, choose Read from :0 and wait until ready, then save. Images without extra sectors, extra tracks, empty tracks etc become adf (FileCore) or fcfs (Filecore with 256-byte block at the end), if you change the type into &fce then !ADFFS can read them. Please note that the original floppies are quite old, and restoring factory settings by writing to them with 23-year old hardware is risky. I would try to copy the complete, copyprotected setup first, ie. timestamped Scrap and Sibelius directory. Cf somewhat how Impression Publisher is reanimated.
The fake swi module, upon receiving a MIDI SWI, issues a ‘special’ swi that the emulator intercepts, and the emulator, instead of going into svc mode and PC=8 etc, passes the info in a MIDI swi offered to the host system, with R0 and R1 from the registerfile, while returning R0 and R1 back to the registerfile when the MIDI SWI returns. The emulator must have seen USBMIDI before the emulation starts, otherwise the MIDI machinery in the emulator is not set up. And also it provides the fast clock timing mode (1000Hz) clockticks (which is easy as it is an emulator). Sibelius seems to monitor the decrementing fastclock time, and then issues a bunch of Txcommands together, with time information (in milliseconds) in R1. Therefore fastclock is required. Maestro also uses this MIDI_TxCommand SWI but always with R1=0, and does not use fastclock. The MIDI card constructs the fastclock ticks from usertimer 1, newer machines do not seem to provide such a timer so MIDIUSB cannot do fastclock itself.
As I do not have a MIDI keyboard, getting music out of the demo was all I accomplished; using a keyboard to enter notes would be nice but as said it’s beyond my capabilities to test this.
The Sibelius demo is not copy protected; but to try out a real Sibelius with my emulator it’s probably best to give harddisc4 the same name as the one on the RiscPC, install univeral boot structure, copy Sibelius to exactly the same location to this ‘harddisc’ delete/move away original Scrap and !System, and copy !Scrap and !System from the RPC, hoping that the timestamps are retained. Where appropriate restore timestamp with !Stamp in the distribution. Hopefully Sibelius does not note the difference and all of this would give you an idea of Sibelius on newer hardware.
On the subject of 32-bitting, the MIDI modules from the card are small (MIDI=13k), the Sibelius piano module was easy to 32 bit (useable with Maestro), perhaps the other modules would also be easy as most of it is data. A 32-bitted MIDI module could be used as a basis for driving the serial port on newer machines (instead of the serial chip on the midi card); there are simple circuits on the Internet that convert serial from and to MIDI. RPI serial clock speed can be changed in a way that you get MIDI 31.25K. The big problem is the runimage. It’s about the size of Impression, looks like a cheerful mix of regular code, seemingly encrypted code, data and writable memory. I would happily leave that to Jon Abbott ;-) ADFFS is a faster emulator than mine (mine really struggles on Iyonix), and while my solution does not require any changes to Sibelius at all, the number of changes for ADFFS should be manageable as Jon has proved so many times with his games.

Rick Murray’s MIDIUSB module is from here: www.riscos.fr/midi-maestro.html

No, that’s v0.03/alpha8 (May 2015). Since then I’ve completely recoded the device detection (alpha9), fixed some bugs, made stuff better for “cheap” devices, etc (alpha10).

https://www.heyrick.co.uk/random/usbmidi_005_alpha10.zip (April 2017)

Doesn’t seem to be pointed to from your site.

After downloading all the copies – you put up that pointer :-)

And it’s in ‘C’???

Just got to get my head around – way of geting 32bit Sib Demo to work with no 4 colour mode -ie a Iyonix – Nemo – can you fill in your idea you suggested back along?

Get Sib’s output to a sprite in rma – then how to blit a 4 colour sprite onto the 16M col desktop! Mmm
Any other ideas?