Usenet.com

www.Usenet.com

Group Index

Rec Thread Archive from Usenet.com

<-- __Chronological__ --> <-- __Thread__ -->

Re: evaluating the transposing software discussion



Moshe Braner wrote:
using ABC has the big advantages that the format is:
* plain text, can easily be moved between computer systems, and
* non-proprietory, many software packages can handle it, forever.

What about midi format? It's very compact (a typical dance tune is about 3KB) for storing and e-mailing, can be accessed by different computer systems, is non-proprietory, and virtually all notation software packages (as well as virtually all player programs (which most don't do ABC) will play.


I don't know how if the format will drift substantially in 10 or 20 years to become inaccessible, but it seems to be one of those things where information gets "added" to rather than "changed" (similar to ABC).

Like ABC, there's software that converts midi into notation (actually, a LOT more software). While I'm not very familiar with ABC, my understanding is that it is fairly limited in recording range, timing, and multiple note stuff. Fine for traditional tunes, but can it handle a couple of staves with chords (like a typical piano rag)? How about a Sousa march with a dozen different instrument parts?

Midi can do all that and present instruments in there respective clefs and will sound like those instruments when played back. A full symphony even. OTOH, midi does transpose differently with different software.... This isn't a problem with things like dance tunes, but when you get into serious timing nuances with multiple staves, some strange things can happen.




<-- __Chronological__ --> <-- __Thread__ -->


Usenet.com



Please check out one of the premium Usenet Newsgroup Service Providers below for access to Usenet.