Initial Impressions of the MIDIator MIDI Interface 
                           May 3, 1989 
 
 
 
The MIDIator is a MIDI interface that uses the serial port of any
MS-DOS compatible computer.  It is self-powered and comes with 
two programs, 16KEE, a sixteen track sequencer, and monKEE, a 
MIDI monitor. 
 
                            Hardware 
 
The interface itself is small and light weight.  It consists of a
rugged metal case approximately the size of two packs of 
cigarettes with a female DB-25 connector on one side and MIDI IN
and OUT jacks on the other.  It connects to the computer's serial
port with a standard serial cable (lines 1-10, 20 & 22 
connected).  Incidently, the manual refers to using a "modem 
cable".  In standard useage, this would imply a null modem cable
(TX and RX lines switched) which will NOT work with the MIDIator. 
The interface has its own internal clock and is capable of a 
resolution of 96 ppqn. 
  
Because of its use of the serial port, the MIDIator is NOT 
compatible with other sequencers.  However, the people at Key 
Electronic Enterprises, MIDIator's manufacturer, are in the 
process of negotiating for ports of some of the major MIDI 
programs.  Though they were hesitant about mentioning specific 
names, they indicated that they should be able to announce 
several ported third party products at the next NAMM.  
Additionally, they mentioned that software written for Yamaha's 
C1 computer could be easily ported over to the MIDIator. 
 
 
                            Software 
 
The manual (which is provided as a file on the distribution disk)
describes the version of 16KEE shipped with the MIDIator as a 
"special release".  It would probably be better described as an 
alpha-test version, as several important features are not 
implemented and I encountered at least one major bug.  I spoke to
the people at Key and was told that the release of the "advanced
sequencer" upgrade will correct the problems and will be 
available the beginning of July.  Its worth mentioning that the 
people at Key were very nice and helpful, and a refreshing change
from what passes for customer support at most companies, and 
bodes well for the future of the MIDIator.  However,  I do 
question the adviseability of "pre-releasing" software before it
is ready to be put in the hands of consumers. 
 
The software, as it stands, is currently too skeletal to serve as
the primary sequencer for a musician.  In look and feel, it 
somewhat resembles Sequencer +.  There is a "main screen" which 
displays the 16 tracks.  Options are selected in pop-up windows. 

16KEE permits internal and external sync, and allows the user to
select whether start/stop and other system data is passed through
the interface, and responded to or ignored by the sequencer. 
 
Each track can be set to a default channel.  However, the 
sequencer can also be placed in "multi-channel" mode in which the
individual track can record data from all channels simultaneously
without forcing rechannelization.  This is a very useful feature
for dumping sequences recorded on other machines. 
 
The user also has the option of specifying a default program for
each track, which is sent out the data line when the sequencer is
started.  Program changes within a track can be recorded and 
transmitted by the sequencer. 
 
Though there is no metronome jack provided on the interface, the
software can transmit a metronome "beat" consisting of a user- 
specified note and channel number.  Though this is quite workable
in my studio, as I have enough sound modules lying around that I
can dedicate one to the metronome when I'm putting down tracks, 
it could be a problem for a "one keyboard" musician.  Though, of
course, the metronome beat isn't recorded in the sequence, its a
little annoying when it plays through the same keyboard your 
using for recording. 
 
There are three glaring omissions in the "special release" of 
16KEE that prevent it from being useful for general purpose 
sequencing.  First, there is no tempo track.  Though tempo can be
varied real-time while recording or playing back, there is no way
to record the changes.  If your song varies tempo, the only 
solution is to turn off the metronome, ignore bars and beats, and
just record "wild".  Unfortunately, I have a horrible sense of 
rhythm and tend to speed up unless I can mark myself against a 
beat.  The Key people assured me that the next revision will 
incorporate a tempo track. 
 
Second (and perhaps this should have been first), track data can
not be edited!  Neither editing nor punch-in are implemented in 
the "special release", though there are commands available to 
invoke them (the program displays a "not implemented" message if
you try).  Though, once again, the folks at Key promise these 
features will be in the July release, their absence in the 
current version makes 16KEE impossible to use as a serious 
sequencer. 
 
Finally, there is no way to start the sequencer in the middle of
a track.  All tracks must be played from the beginning which, 
given my propensity to write very LOOOOOONG songs, makes for a 
very unhappy situation.  This, too, will be corrected in the next
release. 
 
One use I had in mind for the MIDIator was as a way of taking 
MIDI "on the road".  I wanted to dump sequences generated by my 
AT/MPU-401/TEXTURE combination into my Toshiba T-1000 lap top.  
However, this is where I hit a major glitch.  As I mentioned 
before, 16KEE can record multiple channels simultaneously, so one
would think it would just be a question of plugging the MIDI OUT
of my MPU-401 into the MIDI IN of the MIDIator, turning on both 
sequencers and standing back.  Unfortunately, this proved not to
be the case.  First problem:  as I mentioned earlier, the current
release of 16KEE doesn't provide a tempo track, so, even though 
the MIDIator can sync to the MPU-401's clock, all tempo changes 
would be lost.  I set the MIDIator to internal sync, started 
16KEE recording and let Texture play the sequence.  16KEE 
appeared to record everything all right, but when I tried to play
it back, it only played a quarter of the song, hung for a second,
then LOOPED BACK TO THE BEGINNING and started playing all over 
again.  I tried this three times; each time produced the same 
result (at least the bug is repeatable).  I called Key and 
explained the problem.  They told me no one had reported a 
problem like this and asked if I would send them the sequence 
file.  They indicated that it may be due to a memory paging 
problem with sequences over 64K in length, and promised me they 
would work on it as soon as they received my file.  I've sent 
them the disk today; I'll report back as soon as I've heard from
them. 
 
Despite the problems, I'm optimistic about the MIDIator.  It DOES
work, and the prospect of having a lap top MIDI computer for 
under $1,000 ($800 for the Toshiba T-1000 and $129 for the 
MIDIator - compare that to Yamaha's $5000+ C1) is exciting enough
to make me willing to wait for the next software release.  
However, until then, I advise people considering buying the 
MIDIator to wait.  16KEE is adequate for "scratch pad" 
sequencing, but not much more than that.  However, the people at
Key seem competent and sincere and, with the release of the 
upgrade, the MIDIator will become a very useful piece of 
equipment.

Paul Tauger
Sysop - MIDIum BBS
(818) 764-4538