Out of the Pack - Better Blues - MIDI Computer Blues V3

RSS Bot · September 20, 2016

After listening to MIDI Computer Blues V2, I decided to try to simulate some wind chimes but before that was going to happen I had to be able to transmit data at a faster rate. If the tempo of MIDI Computer Blues V2 could be improved there was a chance of making the wind chimes sound real.

The Arduino Uno interface loop() was shortened to two lines. I didn't think this was going to make much of a difference and it didn't.

/*RS232 to MIDI v2 - 9/14/16
* Pack007
*
* This program reads bytes from an RS-232 source
* and sends it out to MIDI Device.
*
* Programmed as an interface between the Atari 850
* Interface Module and a MIDI device. Max baud rate
* of 850 is 9600 bps and 31250 bps is required for
* MIDI.
*
*/
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>

SoftwareSerial RS850(5,6);//RS232 - A850 connection

void setup() {
RS850.begin(9600);
Serial.begin(31250);
}

void loop() {
while(RS850.available()<1){}//wait for data from Atari
Serial.write(RS850.read());//read and write byte

Next I did the obvious tricks to the BASIC program; moving the send data routine to the start of the program, combined some note information to reduce the number of send short block XIO command and turned off the screen. The increase in speed was minimal but noticeable.

Then the 850 manual was read again and decided to OPEN the channel with Aux1 = 9. "9 signifies that you are going to use the port for output only(concurrent mode)". Then the XIO 40 command was issued. BINGO!!

The tempo was so fast that the speed was set at 3 for recording. This caused the base note to be played 3 times in quick succession. The lack of a note attack and decay on the Atari masked this effect in the original program.

The ARC file contains a two minute recording of the music made by the program in the ATR.

So to run this program all you need is this program, an A8, an 850 Interface, an Arduino with an RS-232 and MIDI port, and a MIDI Synth. I'm thinking about adding one more requirement for the next program by writing the Wind Chimes to run under the Diamond GOS.

Related Blog Links:

http://atariage.com/forums/blog/572/entry-13269-midi-computer-blues-setting-up-the-hardware/

http://atariage.com/forums/blog/572/entry-13277-midi-computer-blues-note-on-note-off/

http://atariage.com/forums/blog/572/entry-13282-midi-computer-blues-v20/