Re: [MMM] Re: Microtonal pedagogy

Joel remarked...

> This is not quite the case, at least not any more. Macs running OS X,
> especially new fast machines with OS X v10.3.x run more applications
> than *any* other computing platform on this planet.

Ah... Because it's now Unix? ;-) Anyway, I don't want to get into an
argument here about software availability. Your mileage may vary; my
experience may differ from yours.

> The best option for students interested in exploring harmonics may be
> student priced FM7

Ah, that's a good one; didn't know they had a Mac version. As I recall, it
has sliders for tuning 12 notes in an octave, which is pretty decent, and
it can emulate the DX7. But I'm not up on the extent of the microtonal
implementation. Can it take tuning files, or do arbitrary tunings? It's
been a while since I checked out their demo. The FM7 can be used
stand-alone, as I recall...

Rick

> Also, Apple's (superior) Audiounits has pretty much replaced VST on the
> Mac.

As long as we're talking environments... What makes audiounits superior to
VST? Can someone provide a brief synopsis of features?

Rick

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, Rick McGowan <rick@u...> wrote:
> > The best option for students interested in exploring harmonics
may be
> > student priced FM7
>
> Ah, that's a good one; didn't know they had a Mac version. As I
recall, it
> has sliders for tuning 12 notes in an octave, which is pretty
decent, and
> it can emulate the DX7. But I'm not up on the extent of the
microtonal
> implementation. Can it take tuning files, or do arbitrary tunings?
It's
> been a while since I checked out their demo. The FM7 can be used
> stand-alone, as I recall...
>
> Rick

FM7 on Mac OS X can load .syx files and also receive MTS messages.
I've had no problems using Max Magic Microtuner to export tunings
to .syx and have FM7 read the .syx files. It can run both standalone
and as a plugin (Audio Unit, and I think VST too).

Caution: FM7 on Mac OS X has a stuck-notes issue which is
intermittent. I reported it to Native Instruments in December. I
got an email from them saying they were working on it, but no update
since. I gotta wonder if my Nord Modular G2 will have both the DX7
emulator _and_ microtuning implemented by Clavia before NI finishes
fixing this issue.

Paolo