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go4retro / VIC-MIDI

Commodore VIC-20 MIDI/RS232/RAM/FLASH cartridge
http://www.go4retro.com/products/VICMIDI
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Tell me more about the MIDI compatibility... #1

Open Danimations opened 3 years ago

Danimations commented 3 years ago

I just learned about the VIC-20 MIDI cartridge, available from Retro Innovations. I gather this is the software to handle MIDI data sent to it via sequencer or MIDI instrument?

I'm wondering if you can tell me what information the software/hardware can receive and process? For example, is it velocity sensitive? Are portamento, modulation, sustain and pitch-bending possible? I'd like to know what is currently possible and what might be possible in the future before I commit to buying one of these.

Thanks in advance!

go4retro commented 3 years ago

The software was not written by me, but y Leif Bloomquist, and I think he'd be best to answer the questions. The code is open source, so additional features can be added, though.

Jim

LeifBloomquist commented 3 years ago

Hey @Danimations! Yes I wrote the MIDI handling software for the VIC-MIDI cart. Here's some info.

First, a demo tune showing the capabilities: https://soundcloud.com/schema-factor/rethinking-art-and-the-machine

(Early) Overview of the project: https://github.com/LeifBloomquist/VICMIDI/raw/master/Docs/vicmidi.pptx

MIDI documentation: https://github.com/LeifBloomquist/VICMIDI/raw/master/Docs/VICMIDI.doc

As @go4retro mentioned, the code is open source so more features could be added. (i.e. viznut's waveforms would be next on my list) The repo is here: https://github.com/LeifBloomquist/VICMIDI/

-Leif

Danimations commented 3 years ago

Thanks fellas, I've VERY interested in this project and have enjoyed reading the docs and links above. Nice demo tune @LeifBloomquist ... I can hear great potential in this largely overlooked machine! I'll switch over to the VICMIDI repo and add some thoughts there. I'm interested in playing the VIC as an instrument and with feeling, so adding pitchbend/modulation/portamento in future software would really be exciting prospects.

Danimations commented 3 years ago

(this post is a variation on the one I posted just now over at the VICMIDI project):

After reading the documentation and hearing your demo, @LeifBloomquist , I'm keen to support this project and pitch in as best I can. I don't have a VIC-20 at moment (I should be able to source one soon), and I've never programmed anything with MIDI or anything for the VIC-20, but I'm keen to have a look at the files here and chat through possibilities.

As an electronic musician, I would love any extra expressive CC commands, like modulation and pitchbending if you think these could be practical to implement. Is there a VIC-20 emulator I can use to playtest the existing code? And if so, can I send MIDI controllers signals to it somehow?

Count me in as keen to help take this project further. I'm also an illustrator, so if you'd like to jazz up the project artwork, manual, etc. I have skills to share. I would enjoy making some illustrations in the style of the original VIC20 artwork, or at least, in a style complementary to it.

I'd gladly provide these services in return for a cart, if they're of value to you (@go4retro Jim?)... and I'd like to make a proper video review of the cartridge, after being a bit underwhelmed by the only one I could find on Youtube (the conference talk videos circa 2015 were more inspiring). I'd do both of these things in return for a freebie. :P

I have a general "Danimations Digital Media Tips" channel on Youtube, where I'd like to showcase the project and you'll hear a little bit of my chiptune compositional spark in the theme music there too. ;) http://youtube.com/danimationstips