** 1 page review / 700 words **
** On Reader Disk logo here **

** MMAN1.IMG here **

MIDIman is a universal patch editor and MIDI mapper which runs as a desktop accessory and makes it possible to communicate with external MIDI hardware in your system. Because MIDIman is totally configurable it can be used to carry out a variety of tasks including:

** UL **
* Sound editing
* Remote MIDI mixing
* Recalling complete pages of MIDI set-ups
** /UL **

MIDIman was originally commercial software released by Hollis Research and has recently been released as freeware which prompted this review and the Reader Offer on page 9.

The 30 page manual is clearly written and smartly presented in an A5 ring binder along with a labelled master disk.

MIDIman is a mature product which runs on any Atari machine from a 520STFM up to a 14Mb Falcon. Sadly there are a few display problems when running under MagiC but since most musicians don't run MagiC for music sessions this shouldn't be a serious limitation.

The Editor

You can never have enough sounds - I'm always on the lookout for new sound sources and quickly tire of the sounds provided by my MIDI equipment. You can edit individual sounds to suit specific situations using a program capable of sending "System exclusive" data to MIDI devices. MIDIman lets you do exactly this, and includes lots of example profiles on the disk to get you started.

Although most of the profiles included are for older MIDI equipment this isn't a major problem because it's easy to create your own using the internal profile language described in the manual.

** MMAN2.IMG here **

Simply create a control on the screen and enter the stream of MIDI commands from your manual for the required operation.
Each profile can consist of many pages of controls, which can be used for different aspects of your MIDI device. Fortunately a control is provided to change channels, which means you don't have to create duplicate controls to cater for different parts.

** B **
Ed: If you do create some interesting profiles please do send us a copy to the editorial address so we can include them on a future Reader Disk for everyone to enjoy...
** /B **

We are family

MIDIman was designed to be used with Trackman and the two programs integrate perfectly. MIDIman can be used before Trackman enabling MIDI data generated by MIDIman to be recorded by Trackman. Similarly, MIDIman can be used after MIDI data has been sent from Trackman to make instant alterations, without altering your song file settings.

Conclusions

MIDIman deserves serious consideration by anyone requiring a graphical MIDI editor. Although there's not much support for the current crop of MIDI devices there are plenty of examples provided, which makes it easy enough to create your own. For anyone using Trackman it's a near-essential companion purchase and at the price you can't go far wrong.

** boxout **
MIDIman features
** UL **
* MIDIman is a universal patch editor and MIDI mapper.
* MIDIman is a desktop accesoory so it can work alongside your sequencer and other GEM programs.
* All your editing requirements can be achieved using one simple set of controls.
* Can be used as remote MIDI mixer/controller or recall MIDI setup pages.
* Can be used to create your own patch editor.
** /UL **

Used in conjunction with Trackman MIDIman can also:
** UL **
* Perform patch editing while Trackman plays or records with no hanging notes or other glitches.
* Record and playback patch edits.
* Control any patch parameter with MIDI - effectively extending the capability of your synthezisers turning every MIDI parameter into a performance control.
** /UL **
** /boxout **

** product boxout **
MIDIman

Publisher:
Hollis Research
http://www.hollis.co.uk/john/

Supplier:
Atari Computing

Cost:
œ13 MIDIman including UK delivery (œ14 Europe, œ16 ROW)
œ22 Trackman and MIDIman including UK delivery (œ23.50 Europe, œ27 ROW)

Requires:
All Ataris using external MIDI equipment

Pros:
Wide range of applications, value for money, integrates with Trackman

Cons:
Supplied control files are for older synths

Supplied Profiles
The following equipment profiles are supplied with MIDIman:

Emu: Proteus
Ensoniq: 1ESQM
Fostex: 280, R8
Kawai: K4, K5
Korg: DW8000, DS8, M1
Lexicon: LXP1
Roland: D110, D50, Juno, JX10, MKS70, U110, U220, V50
Yamaha: DX11, DX21, EMT10, FB01, RX11, TG33, TX81Z

Some generic MIDI mixing and performance tools are also provided.

** /boxout **