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Operating System Specific Discussions => Amiga OS => Amiga OS 4.x (future) Hardware Compatibility Discussions => Topic started by: garyg on July 05, 2024, 12:35:49 AM
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I wonder if my Amiga OS 3.x setup can be ported to a new Amiga computer.
Can a new Amiga running OS 4.2 emulate OS 3.x software?
I raise this question because I see that some new hardware has an RS-232 port.
I assume this would mean it could run MIDI applications IF the software can
run under OS 4.2
Regards to all,
Gary
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I assume you mean AmigaOS 4.1 Update2.
Yes, new Amiga's (PowerPC machines running OS4.x) can run OS3.x software in Emulation. It might not run everything but usually things run.
I don't know much on MIDI, but if this is on MIDI files, you can actually run them in software, and do not need hardware over RS-232 for it. I think there is a software
which plays MIDI files over AHI on os4depot.
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OK, thanks, that sounds good.
I asked about the RS-232 port because I play my MIDI files through external
sound modules, not by using software sound samples.
Does anyone know anything about potential timing problems?
Regards,
Gary
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Hi!
Please note that this is not an Emulation like UAE but a pure CPU Emulation.
This means it would depend if the software is done OS-friendly (through parallel.device). If it instead accesses the custom chips directly to access the parallel interface this would not work (and likely crash).
What software are you thinking of ?
Note there is also some MIDI software available for OS4. Myselves I just don't know much about MIDI software, so not sure what supports attaching a keyboard to the parallel interface.
See here:
http://os4depot.net/index.php?function=search&tool=simple
Barsnpipes, Horny and seq would be MIDI Software available.
Best regards,
Steffen
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Thanks, Steffen! Yes, Bars&Pipes is what I intend to use.
I assume that the OS4 version created by Alfred Faust smoothly
moves MIDI data to the RS-232 serial port, where it is correctly
sent to external sound modules. Logically, the Triple Play Plus MIDI interface, dependent
for communication on Bars&Pipe's MIDI Out tools, which are also
part of Alfred's software, should work, but I'd have to spend a lot of
money to be sure.
Regards,
Gary
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Maybe the documentation in the lha archive gives some info ?
The requirements listed in the readme lists "AmigaOS4, camd.library, a hardware or software synthesizer" which sounds to me like a hardware synthesizer is supported.
Author of the OS4 version is Lyle Hazelwood.
Myselves I do not know enough on MIDI stuff to help (as is seen that I before talked about parallel port and it is appearently serial port, right ? ^^)
If I download the software and start it is there any way how I can find out for you - starting it on my OS4 machine - what is supported as to MIDI hardware ? If you can explain to me to which menu to go or whatever I could try it out (I do not have any MIDI hardware, but my assumption - not sure if correct - would be that you have to select something in the program somewhere ?
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Steffen, I would think that a MIDI interface and sound module/synthesizer
would be needed to properly verify that such a hardware/software combination
works as expected, but thanks for your thoughts.
Regards,
Gary
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Hi!
I see. Hmmm, maybe best then to ask the author. But from what I read (with my non-knowledge on MIDI) I suspect it is supported.
Note appearently there are two independent (?) OS4 ports of Barsn Pipes. One by the author I mentioned (on os4depot.net) and one by the author you mentioned, on his homepage.
My understanding though is that you attach MIDI Hardware to be used in Bars&Pipes using this software
http://os4depot.net/?function=showfile&file=driver/misc/usbmidi.lha
to the USB Port (which is adding CAMD Driver for compatible MIDI Devices). This driver has been written by the same author like one of the two B&P Ports.
It is also mentioned on this wiki page
https://wiki.amigaos.net/wiki/Bars_and_Pipes_Professional
that this software would be used to access MIDI devices from B&P, with a link to os4depot.
Best regards,
Steffen
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Thanks so much for the links and information. You're one of the reasons
that this Board is so useful, Steffen!
Regards,
Gary
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What hardware are you using currently? Especially, what MIDI interface?
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An Amiga 4000 desktop running OS 3.9 and the Triple Play
Plus with the One Stop Music Shop with 3 additional MIDI Outs.
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My understanding though is that you attach MIDI Hardware to be used in Bars&Pipes using this software
http://os4depot.net/?function=showfile&file=driver/misc/usbmidi.lha
to the USB Port (which is adding CAMD Driver for compatible MIDI Devices). This driver has been written by the same author like one of the two B&P Ports.
There are a few other CAMD drivers on os4depot (http://os4depot.net/index.php?function=search&tool=simple). A USB MIDI device is probably the best bet for most people, as the others are for older sound cards.
Hans
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Yes, I would expect that a USB MIDI interface would work,
but what I like about my present (classic Amiga) setup is that
I have up to 112 possible channels. However, this is made possible
partly by classic Amiga hardware (the One Stop Music Shop) and
the classic software that comes with Bars&Pipes Pro that "bangs the
hardware" of the Triple Play Plus and the OSMS.
Regards,
Gary
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There’s a good chance your current MIDI interface will work, as long as the software accesses it via either a serial.device or camd.device. But you’ll need to check if the OS4 machine has a serial port. You’ll probably also need an adapter from 9-pin to 25-pin serial.
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The OS4 machine I've read about has an RS-232 port.
Regards,
Gary
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The software he wants to use (Bars&Pipes) uses camd.library. I just see (sadly I lack real MIDI knowledge) always mention that CAMD would be used through USB, but not sure if
this means in the OS4 version it NEEDS to be USB, or if this is just the most modern way to access it and other options exist too.
I checked the archive though, and in there I found the following drivers:
- Soundblaster MIDI port
- Envy 24HT Driver (no idea what this even is!)
- x1000 onboard UART
- Onboard Gameport MIDI Driver which references especially the VIA686 chip. At best my knowledge this chip was only used in the Amiga x1000.
Asides from this there is the other archive with USB Support.
So this sounds to me that the following options exist:
- Soundblaster MIDI port
- x1000 (these options will not work on x5000 or Sam!!!): Serial interface or Gameport
- USB - as far as I understand it should work on non-x1000 as well
- Envy 24HT (whatever this is)
Unsure if the Soundblaster MIDI port version has requirements to specific Amiga models
Best regards,
Steffen