Re: Converting MIDI files to play on Diversitune GS?

[Mitchell Spector <mitch2gs@hotmail.com>]

dsmith <darylsmith2@gmail.com> wrote:

>I was browsing your newsgroup looking at archived posts regarding
>Diversitune GS and a way to play MIDI files with it. From what I have
>read, the files have to be converted to work with Diversitune. There
>was even mention of some utility that can convert MIDIs to the MUS
>format for Diversitune.

    The program you're referring to (and Alex mentioned) is called
The Music Modifier. Looking in my archives, I have version 2.8
and it was written "M. Jackson".

    It's a GS/OS program with text-based interface. It allows you
to convert MIDI into Diversi-Tune format, but from what I recall
you have no control over the conversation process. It did work,
but from what I remember all tracks are assigned to the "piano" 
instrument (it may have used drums too?) and the tempo was 
set far too slow.

    The program also had the option of converting Diversi-Tune
and MIDI files into MIDIsynth (synthLAB) format, as well as 
convert Diversi-Tune songs into MIDI files. I seem to remember
using it years ago before MIDIConverter was introduced.

>What I would like to achieve is the ability to take MIDI files from
>the web and convert them to work with Diversitune. Then I would use
>ADTPro to transfer a disk image with the appropriate files to work on
>my Apple IIGS.

    I found MIDIsynth a better format simply because you have
a wider variety of instruments and more realistic wavetable-type 
sound. Diversi-Tune was a type of rich sounding FM-synthesis,
although you'll have more voices available.

>I'm also using Kegs 0.91 on Ubuntu Linux and Ciderpress via Wine
>emulation. Thanks in advance for any suggestions or assistance.

    I found Diversi-Tune doesn't emulate that well under KEGS.
The program runs fine, but the tonal quality sounds broken
and strange. MIDIsynth has some similar issues, it's something
I would have assumed would be fixed all these years later.

Mitchell Spector