SONICFLIGHT SOFTWARE from MIDImouse Music Mousterpiece ATARI ST 520/1040/MEGA Monochrome/Color January 1989 Version 1.3 INTRODUCTION Mousterpiece for the Atari ST is an extraordinary and revolutionary software program that transforms the computer mouse and keyboard, into a 3 dimensional MIDI controller and compositional tool. As many as 16 MIDI devices can be commanded at once, providing unprecedented power and control. Music is created by moving the mouse within a multi-dimensional matrix of notes and MIDI commands. MIDI data is arranged within each map along an X,Y,& Z axis. Each axis provides 4 separate data tracks, containing 61 event points per track. Each event point can store any MIDI note/event, Sys/Ex, or your own custom MIDI commands. With 12 unique MIDI controls per event point, 732 distinct events, and 226,981 graph points, a choice of over 2,723,772 event combinations can be assembled within any one map and played live. Adding custom macros and live map switching expands this to over 27 million combinations! Separate velocity and MIDI channel information is also provided at each event point. Mousterpiece is the first entirely programmable, software MIDI controller that makes possible the creation of complex musical compositions with remarkable originality and inventiveness. Outstanding for live performance and studio production. Human ingenuity and computer power unite in a contemporary approach, inventing a new and profound realm of creative possibilities. Mousterpiece - transforming the vision of music - With Mousterpiece, your Atari ST becomes a fully programmable musical instrument. You can use the maps, sequences, screens and controller options provided, build your own instrument from the ground up, or anything in between. Using the mouse and the ST keyboard, you can send MIDI information of virtually any description (e.g. notes, system exclusive, modulation, lights, etc.) according to the position of the mouse cursor. This position is determined by coordinates on three axes: the horizontal or X axis, the vertical or Y axis, and a Z axis denoted by the size of the box surrounding the mouse. Mousterpiece includes two on-board MIDI sequencers. Note information can be stored in the real-time sequencer, and be played back concurrently with any new notes you send with the mouse and ST keyboard. In addition, ten linkable step sequences can be created and played in any order. Standard MIDI file format converter included so you may import files to other sequencing programs for editing. MIDI controller information can be sent directly from the ST keyboard. Specially designated keys will increment or decrement many commonly used MIDI parameters, including modulation, aftertouch, pitch bend, pan, sustain pedal, sostenuto pedal, breath controller and more. Z-axis speed and snap zoom increments, numeric function key program change assignments, controller key channel assignments, and location of screen markers can be programmed individually. All maps (five on a 520 ST, ten on a 1040 or Mega) are fully editable. Virtually any type of MIDI data can be mapped onto a screen location, including custom data types that you create. All the above information can be saved or loaded individually or as part of a larger file. Maps can be printed in compressed or standard format. Mousterpiece is an open ended design allowing unlimited musical composition, performance and yet undefined capabilities. Mousterpiece can be used for any MIDI application such as a live MIDI light controller. Years of experimentation will be required to even begin realizing the power of Mousterpiece! SPECIFICATION/FEATURE SUMMARY Mousterpiece is designed around a special interface that functions in most ways exactly like standard GEM. To permit special speed and memory requirements, desk accessory access has been eliminated. Anyone familiar with use of GEM will find Mousterpiece to be an powerful, intuitive and fun program to use. PERFORMANCE Mouse control of MIDI notes and events in 3 dimensions. Four tracks (simultaneous data streams) are available along each axis (X, Y, and Z). Sending of MIDI data can be set to automatic (with movement of the mouse) or instantaneous (when shift key is pressed). A special "hold" key sustains all currently sounding notes until a new mouse location is selected. Computer keyboard control of pitch bend, mod wheel, aftertouch, breath controller, foot controller, pan, portamento, portamento pedal, sustain pedal, sostenuto pedal, volume controller, and program change. Each of these messages can be assigned its own channel. Behavior of the Z-axis can be programmed in two ways: special snap zoom increments and glide speed. In addition, an "extreme zoom toggle" switch is provided. MIDI command and manual all-notes-off messages are available. Program changes, sent from the numeric function keys, are fully programmable. The channel over which these changes are sent is also programmable. Maps can be switched instantaneously using the function keys. Continuous or incremental "Snap Zoom" of Z-axis cursor - Snap Zoom increments are programmable. Channels for each controller are individually assignable. Scrolling edit screen allows MIDI keyboard or computer keyboard entry of map data. MIDI Command and Manual all-notes-off. Custom graphic markers can be placed anywhere on X or Y axis. SEQUENCERS Mousterpiece contains two separate sequencers: a real-time note recorder and a step sequencer. The real-time recorder has a capacity of 2000 notes. Recording starts with the first note played after the program is set to record mode. During playback of a recording, additional notes can be played using the mouse. Playback of the real-time recorder automatically alternates with playing of the step sequencer. The step sequencer consists of ten sequences of 200 notes each. Notes can be typed in from the computer keyboard or played in from a MIDI keyboard or controller. Provisions for ties and simple editing are made. Step sequences are linkable in any order, or will loop separately until either the stop key is pressed, or another sequence is chosen using the standard numeric keys. The step sequencer automatically sends MIDI clocks at the standard rate of 24 PPQN. Real time recording starts with first note played or record key. Music can be played with mouse while real time recorder plays back. MAPPING AND THE EDITOR Maps and sets of maps can be created using the on-board editor utilities. Notes can be entered into a map by typing note names, typing numeric values, or by playing the desired note on a MIDI keyboard or controller. Other MIDI data can be typed in using coded keys, or created by editing a user file. Create and edit 10 axis maps with any scales, modes, & tonalities. Each map consists of an X, Y, and Z axis. Each axis contains 4 simultaneous tracks. Each track displays 61 points containing 3 data types each. Concurrent mapping of notes, velocity, aftertouch, program change, pitch bend, mod wheel, breath control, foot pedal, volume pedal, portamento time and pedal, pan, sustain pedal, and sostenuto pedal data. Flexible velocity options. Special data types (e.g. system exclusive format) can be defined and integrated into the data stream at any point in any track on any axis. Custom macro commands provide remarkable capabilities. Special advanced mapping tools include name, copy, scale/fill, replicate-at-octave, transpose, invert, retrograde and auto-create (diatonic or twelve-tone). High level computer assisted editing Global Map collections (five map sets on a 520, ten on a 1040 or Mega ST) can be edited. Global Map set editing functions include name, copy, swap and delete. DISK OPERATIONS The following file types can be loaded, saved, renamed or deleted: maps, global map sets, user files, user sets (127 user files in a set), screen markers, individual sequences, global sequence sets (ten sequences and link status), snap zoom settings, program change assignments, controller channel assignments, real-time recordings, and global files containing all the above data. Screen selection - Choice of two different Graphic Performance Modes, or create your own screen set up. ADDITIONAL FEATURES Maps can be printed out in compressed or standard format. Ten Ready-to-use maps and sequences are included on the program disk. MIDImouse Music - Box 877 - Welches, OR 97067 (503) 622-4034 - FAX (503) 622-3933