A8 MMS Voice File Data Explanation

Entry posted by k-Pack · November 9, 2021

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Using MIDI MUSIC SYSTEM software to build music compositions seems to fit my skill set. I'm not proficient at reading music but I can translate it. My latest arrangement was a Celtic folk song for flute and drums. Music was entered into MMS and a simple drum pattern was added. It sounded terrible. Turns out that a synthesized flute doesn't need to breath and sounds very mechanical without those breaks.

Selected notes were shortened and rests were inserted to maintain timing and give the illusion that a breathing person was playing the flute. Sounded much better but it was tedious work.

Then I started to think I might have saved a Voice file and used a program to make the changes. Then import the voice back into MMS.

Then it dawned on me that I was going to have to figure out the file structure of a voice file and what the data means.

At this time I want to share what I think I know about how to create a voice file to import into MMS. Then someday someone (or myself) might write a useful program to create those files.

File header and data structure:

First thing that was done was to take a look at what a voice data file contained. A few notes were entered in a voice and then the voice was saved. This short program was written to list the content to the screen. Simply change the filename to match the one you wish to view. Use the cntl-1 key to stop and start scrolling.

10 TRAP 100:COUNT=0

20 OPEN #1,4,0,"D:TEMP.V01"

30 GET #1,A:? A;" ";

33 GET #1,A:? A

37 FOR X=1 TO 3

40 GET #1,A

45 COUNT=COUNT+1

50 ? (A),

56 NEXT X

60 ? :GOTO 37

100 ? "COUNT=";:? COUNT

This short voice file listing demonstrates the format of the voice file. You may want to build your own voice files and check the results.

24,0

250,0,0

10,48,0

85,48,0

75,48,0

87,48,0

250,0,0

165,48,0

245,51,255

COUNT= 24

It became apparent that the first two bytes will be the number of instructions in the file. LSB - MSB format. Then the instructions are listed. At the end of the a count of the instruction sets is displayed. This should match the 16 bit number at the beginning of the file.

An instruction consists of three numbers. The first designates the specific instruction and the next 2 are for any required data. I am assuming that if the data byte is not required by the instruction then MMS does not clear them to zero. That's the only explanation I have for some of numbers I have seen.

The first instruction will always be a measure marker(250). Every voice has a measure marker at the beginning. Check it out.

Rests and Notes

Rest Rn - 0,LSB,MSB n=0 - 65535 cycles

In MMS the duration of the rest is its clock value. In MMS you would most likely assign a clock value as W,H,Q,E,S, T, or Z. Their clock values are listed on page 22 of the manual. The "." and " .. " are used to adjust the number of cycles required for the additional durations. There is also the option of setting the duration by entering the clock value as ^n.

Keep in mind that meter will determine the clock value in a measure and to keep all the voices synced the total clock value must remain the same for all measures in a composition. (But you don't have to.)

Note instructions are between 1 (C1) and 108(G9). If a tie is used bit 7 will be set making the value above 128.

To calculate:

MMS note number = (MIDI note number - 23) + (128 * IF tie)

The duration is set by the next two numbers much the same as for rests.

The Table

The rest of the instructions are to manipulate the MMS music settings or MIDI instrument. For more information check the manual. If I missed any I'll add the information if I ever find a need to use them. If the Second or Third number's has not been determined then ND has been placed in the table. In fact, it may not have a purpose.

Function	MMS Input	Byte 1	Byte 2	Byte 3
Rest	Rn	0	LSB	MSB
Note	(C1-G9)n MIDI# 24-127	MIDI#-23 (+128 if tie)	LSB	MSB
Tempo	Tn	240	35-290	ND
Sound	Sn	241	0-127	ND
Program (CC)	Pn,x	242	Controller number	Setting 0-127
Repeat	REPn	243	0 = forever 1-255	ND
End Repeat	ENDR	244	ND	ND
Jump to Voice	JMPn	245	1-99	ND
RETURN	RTN	246	ND	ND
Change Channel Velocity	/CHn VELn	247 247	Channel-1 0-127	255 0
Transpose UP	TRUn	248	0-127	ND
Transpose Down	TRDn	248	Start +256 - n LSB *	ND
Transpose Zero	TRZ	249	ND	ND
Measure Marker	M	250	ND	ND
Tempo up	TUn	251	0-127	ND
Tempo down	TDn	251	Start +256 -n LSB *	ND
Pitch Wheel High	PWHn	253	ND	ND
Pitch Wheel Low	PWLn	253	ND	ND
Pitch Wheel Zero	PWZ	253	0	ND

*= I Think

ND = not determined

Table edited 11/9/21

I hope this is a good start to understanding voice files. There are going to be some revisions to this table if I find a need to write a program that will import and export MIDI MUSIC SYSTEM Voice files. That may happen If I find that the M: device driver for the MIDIMax will work with Diamond GOS. I'll incorporate the changes when they are brought to my attention.