MIDI using external synth via serial port

[Conrad Sabatier]

On 11-May-2004 Mathew Kanner wrote:
> On May 08, Conrad Sabatier wrote:
>> I've been wanting to try this, but before I do, I just wanted to check
>> something.
>> 
>> To do MIDI using an external synth connected via a serial port, is anything
>> else required in the kernel config besides "device midi" and the hints in
>> /boot/device.hints?  Is the sequencer device also required (or even
>> supported)?
>> 
>> Also, any recommendations re: a good sequencer app?
> 
>       Hello Conrad,
>       Sorry it took so long to respond to your question.  I'm
> supposed to be working on the FreeBSD midi project but a new job and
> spring fever (and work on usb audio) has distracted me.  My mentor
> intends to write a serial pass-through once I get around to commiting
> the midi driver.
>       I would like to ask why you want to use a serial port?  My
> understanding of the situaion is that serial ports have to be hacked
> to get the timming right for midi and most soundcards have midi ports
> (via the gameport).

I was under the impression that the MIDI UART (gameport) was not yet supported,
at least on most cards.  Was I mistaken?  That would be great!

If so, what would I need to do to use it?  Is all the necessary kernel stuff
already in place?

I tried using my MIDI keyboard under Windows once via the serial port, just as
an experiment (back when I still occasionally used Windows), and it worked fine,
so I don't expect there should be any serious problems doing the same under
FreeBSD.

>       You can find patches posted for my midi work.

Um...where?  :-)

>       I hope you stick around until we complete midi :)

I will.  :-)

>       --Mat
> 
> ps. Anthem is a cool midi app.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

-- 
Conrad Sabatier <conrads at cox.net> - "In Unix veritas"