MIDIART Live is the first computer software application
designed specifically to transform both live and pre-recorded
MIDI data streams into psychedelic computer graphic imagery. The
images generated by MIDIART are derived directly from the musical
information embedded within the MIDI data stream. This gives the
performing musician the ability to visualize the music they are
performing in real time. With MIDIART Live, music can now be
visualized directly using MIDI and a computer, without the need
for expensive multimedia producers, graphic artists, and
animators. MIDIART Live also takes advantage of the control
information that can be embedded in the MIDI data stream, to give
the performing musician or video artist interactive control over
the graphic parameters used by the image generating algorithms in
MIDIART.
The Details
In order to transform MIDI data into visual images, MIDIART
Live utilizes software components called Image Generators. An
Image Generator is a self contained image generating algorithm
which determines how the music will influence the computer
graphic images that are created. MIDIART Image Generators receive
individual musical note and velocity (volume) information from
the MIDI data stream in real time. A typical Image Generator will
display a number of graphical objects or visual elements which
correspond to each musical note it receives. MIDIART Live
contains a variety of different Image Generators, and the images
created by any one of these can be combined or mixed with images
created by other Image Generators.
In order to give the musician or video artist a degree of
control over the images produced by an Image Generator, each
Image Generator used in MIDIART Live provides a number of image
controlling parameters. These parameters control animation
effects, visual element sizes, color cycling effects, etc.,
depending on the Image Generator selected. Each parameter can be
adjusted as the music is being performed, either by pressing
command keys on the computer keyboard, or by activating these
command keys externally using MIDI control messages sent from a
MIDI keyboard or MIDI controller unit.
MIDIART Live also contains other important performance
related features, including the ability to easily save and
restore image controlling parameters to disk files, as well as
storing and re-playing command key sequences in order to
automatically change the animation effects during a musical
performance.
A new performance related feature allows a MIDIART Live
performance to be saved as a single data file called a MIDIWork
file. When a user selects a MIDIWork file from the Windows
Explorer, the MIDIWorks Player will be
started automatically to re-create the performance. MIDIWork
files can be attached to Web pages, giving people all over the
world the ability to view your performances. The MIDIART Live
software includes the latest version of the MIDIWorks Player,
which allows you to test the MIDIWork files that you create.
Software/Hardware Requirements
MIDIART Live requires a 486 or Pentium based PC running a Microsoft Windows (version
3.1 through XP and now Vista) operating system.
(There is currently no version for the Macintosh.) For Microsoft Windows Vista, there
are some software installation issues, so be sure to follow the previous link.
MIDIART also
requires the use of an SVGA video card in 256 color video mode.
(Your display settings must be set to use the 256-color color
palette.) For sound generation, MIDIART Live requires a wave
table based sound card or any external MIDI sound generator
device connected to the PC via a MIDI interface card. The sound
card or MIDI interface card must be correctly configured under
Microsoft Windows.
For on stage presentation, MIDIART Live would require the use
of one or more large video monitors, a video wall (multiple
monitors), or a large screen projection system. These devices
would also require built in support for VGA video input.
Otherwise, a VGA to NTSC composite (or RGB) video converter would
need to be employed.
Try MIDIART Live Today!
You can download MIDIART Live by simply selecting the link
below. The software is now freeware, which means it costs nothing
and is fully functional. (If you enjoy the product and wish to
contribute to its continued development, you can make a donation
to the authors MIDIART development fund. Refer to the README.HLP
file included in the software package for information on making a
donation.)
The software that you download is in compressed ZIP file
format. If you don't have the software to unzip the ZIP file,
check out WinZip.com. After
you download the ZIP file, un-zip the file and execute the single
self-extracting Windows executable file. This will automatically
invoke the SETUP program for installing the MIDIART Live
software.
Worried about viruses? All the software you download from
this Web page was scanned for viruses using McAfee VirusScan95.
It was found to be free of viruses prior to delivery to the Web
server. If you want to scan the files yourself, check out the
latest McAfee anti-virus
software.
