MOTM

In a message dated 8/10/00 9:53:06 PM, elhardt@... writes:

<<  I still have a possible future interest in the Kurzweil, so can anybody 
confirm that it can actually pitch bend without glissando? >>

Yes, I bought a Kurzweil Expressionmate, then sold it a month later.  Here's 
the facts about MIDI, folks (and why I don't use it to control analog 
synths):  MIDI only outputs NOTE information, not continuous pitch 
information.  The Kurzweil Expressionmate can output not information as you 
slide your finger along the ribbon, but it comes out as a glissando.  That 
is, individual "key" notes are played.  Yes, you can program it for different 
scales, and you can even use part of the ribbon to play notes and another 
part of it for pitch bend.  But any MIDI controller like this, including the 
Tactex, will still only play notes, not a everything in between the notes.  
This is the reason that the Big Briar MIDI theremin and the Rosedene theremin 
MIDI converter (http://www.fullerton.demon.co.uk/midicv.htm) are so expensive.
  They are using MIDI note, pitch bend, and portamento to SIMULATE a real 
continuous controller.  To quote the Rosedene info, "The pitch bend 
controller (1-48 semitones definable) is used in conjunction with RPN (54H) 
portamento control to follow the pitch of the Theremin."

This is why, in my not so humble opinion, I think that MIDI sucks.  It really 
pisses me off that I can't play continuous pitches on my SidStation, for 
example.  I'm contemplating buying a Rosedene unit, but it is a lot of money 
for a specialized piece of equipment (I believe around $600+).    It is also 
why I don't think that MIDI has much of a place with analog synths.  A whole 
facet to the beauty of analog synths is that they are continuously variable 
instruments.  I do use MIDI for its sequencing capabilities but I look 
forward to having a MIDI-syncable analog sequencer (DoMOAS/MOAS).

Ok, I would guess that I've irritated enough people for one night... back to 
your regularly scheduled programming.

Ivan