APPENDIX

This chapter gives you more detailed information on:-

• MIDI3c file formats
• the MIDI3c Converter
• standard Sysex files
• MIDI3c printing options
• MIDI3c and other applications
• On/Off controls and MIDI3c Faders

MIDI and MIDI3c file formats
To allow the Series 3c/mx to `play' MIDI files it is necessary to create specially formatted MIDI files that the MIDI3c Player can handle in real-time. These files have the extension M3C and are used by the MIDI3c Player in single play and session play modes. To this end the Player module has a converter function that allows you to load standard MIDI files on to your Psion and convert them in-situ. This removes the need for you to implicitly connect to a PC or to run any PC programs, although a PC based converter is supplied with MIDI3c to help speed up the conversion operation and to minimise the disk space used..

During the conversion process you are asked if it is "Okay to remove the xxxxxxxx.MID file?". It is recommended that you say 'yes' to free up as much memory as possible as the MIDI file will no longer be required by MIDI3c.

MIDI3c formatted files (M3C) are, unfortunately, usually larger than their original MIDI format (MID). If you have Enabled File Compression then these files will, of course, be proportionately smaller and there will be less chance of you running out of storage space. Read the section on Zipper for more details.

MIDI3C Converter
Users should be aware that the conversion process of MIDI files, especially complex Format 1 MIDI files can take quite a while. A DOS program MID2M3C has been provided for PC owners to allow them to perform this process on the PC much faster than can be achieved on the Series 3c/mx.

The conversion from a Format 0 MIDI file to MIDI3C format is a single stage process. Progress of the conversion is shown in the form of a MIDI event timer which shows the event time in HH:MM:SS:FF (hours, minutes, seconds and frames). The event timer displays the current event time within the MIDI files. Once completed, the final event time shown is also the play time for the file as shown in the various Descriptor lists.

Converting a Format 0 MIDI file

Converting Format 1 files to MIDI3c is a 3-stage process. Each stage is shown by a description under the event timer with the first stage displaying the current track being processed.

Stage 1 of a Format 1 conversion showing the current Track number

Stage 2 of a Format 1 conversion

Stage 3 of a Format 1 conversion

System Exclusive Files
When starting up, MIDI3c will create/re-create a number of standard system exclusive files. These files perform specific functions:-

1. GMON.SYX: enable GM Mode
2. XGON.SYX: enable XG mode
3. GMRESET.SYX: Reset all GM modes and controllers
4. GSEXIT: exit from GS mode

They will also be automatically inserted in to the Sysex Descriptor List the first time MIDI3c is run. You may delete any or all of these files from the list at any time, however they will always exist in the default MIDI directory so that they may be recalled at a later time.

Print-outs
MIDI3c allows you to print out a list of MIDI files that you use to create a Session List. This is useful for copyright purposes where you are required to get authorisation before playing a tune. In addition to printing out the Session Lists you can also print out any Descriptor List as well.

MIDI3c uses a very simple print format and should work with all printers and should not require any setting up or driver installation.

MIDI3c and other applications
MIDI3c will, normally, let you switch to other applications putting MIDI3c in to the background. The exception to this is when MIDI3c is playing a file. When playing, MIDI3c requires maximum access to the Series 3c's resources and thus should not be switched in to the background whilst playing. To do so will result in the tune being played experiencing hesitations.

MIDI3c Faders
The MIDI3c Faders can be assigned to control On/Off Controllers as well as variable value Controllers. The following table indicates which Controllers will operate as On/Off Controllers:-

All other Controllers are treated as variable value Controllers and MIDI3c will allow you to set any value between 0 and 127 to each Controller.

Users should also note that controllers 120 - 127 are also available through the Channel Controls module and should not strictly be used in the Faders Module.