adding compatibility to early/mid 90s MIDI devices

[supernova777]

http://www.geethree.com/support/supportstealth.html
http://tinyurl.com/kudfwg6
http://www.geethree.com/stealth/install/Compatible.html
http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=3427 (quicksilver g4s)
-------------------
What is the Stealth Serial Port and what does it do?

The Stealth Serial Port provides a standard serial port for new Macintosh systems that lack a built-in serial port. It works with virtually any serial peripheral, including MIDI devices, LocalTalk printers, and video tape decks for deck control. There are versions for the G4 (2001-4 PCI Slots, Dual processor and AGP), Blue & White Power Macintosh G3 and iMac (Rev. A-D).
-------------------
these may be hard to find now that the g3/g4/imac models are sold out..but if u can track one of these down u can easily add compatibility to the oldworld midi sync devices which are reputed to be even more reliable then their usb based replacement "upgrades".. why would u want to do that? because many people repute these old interfaces, connected via a serial connection without USB, to have better MIDI timing + more reliability then their "new + improved" usb counterparts. An example of this would be the reputation + revere for the Atari ST.. also they can usually be purchased for very little money due to their age + incompatibility with most modern computer operating systems

the powermac g5 addon is still available for direct purchase.

i had bought a few g3 powermacs for $5 each from a techno producer and i gutted the motherboards + processors because i was going to use the inside of these machines to create hackintoshes.. replacing the components with intel based 2008-ish parts.. but in the process i threw out 2 of the g3 serial port addons without even knowing what they were... :S :S

so now you know. dont make the same mistake i did;) really wish i had of kept the parts at least in a box or something...... and wasnt so nuerotic about keeping as little ammount of junk as possible!!!

[supernova777]

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul99/articles/applenotes.htm

http://www.atpm.com/6.08/stealth.shtml

[supernova777]

http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=24445

thread describing dificulties encountered with the g4 quicksilver + stealth port + opcode 64x


http://forums.creativecow.net/archivethread/8/160267

more serial midi + quicksilver info

[supernova777]

identifying if the mods been performed yet or not:

powermac g3:


i think u would have to look inside this metal box
or perhaps the very presence of this box IS THE MOD... because i see many screenshots without this longer metal box

powermac g4:

clearly visible!

[supernova777]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Keyspan-USA-28X-B-Twin-Serial-to-USB-Adapter-For-Mac-/360789968880?pt=US_Networking_Boosters_Extenders_Antennas&hash=item5400c207f0

[supernova777]

keyspan usa-28x driver for os9.2
v1.9

[supernova777]

http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/Griffin_Tech_Updates_gPort_Line_With_10.2_Support

does anyone know if theres gport drivers by griffin for 10.3 + 10.4?
just curious


i also have to check these facts for the geeethree stealth, + megawolf solutions!

[Knez]

I actually picked up an MDD compatible Stealth Port for free today! Came in a free MDD. Just need to transfer it to my Dual 1.5ghz MDD and im good to go

[supernova777]

pretty sure its the same as the one i got in my sawtooth... but im too afraid to install on my mdd so im waiting to use the megawolf card thats on its way to me in the mail still..
waiting sucks

re: free -- hell yea! -- thats why we are involved with this ancient but not so ancient its not usefull -stuff;)
because most people think its garbage;) hehehe can score stuiff for next to nothing:)

[supernova777]

heres a pic of the mdd install they propose
i think its too crammed in where the modem connector is too close to the cpu heatsink
but im pretty sure if the physical obstructions were eliminated that the normal g4port + stealth card could be installed
its just alot easier to use a pci slot port like theyve done in this pic
my g4port i just got was new i think it came with the pci slot plate like this too

[supernova777]

heres the quicksilver too while im at it:D

[DieHard]

Chris, I used to run the ribbon under the video card cutout notch (between video card and MB) and avoid the heatsink

[supernova777]

http://www.dmandp.com/cab/griffin/products/gport/compatibility.html


http://i28.tinypic.com/x3ybmf.jpg
http://www.dmandp.com/cab/griffin/products/gport/

gPort Serial adapters
Internal Serial Port adapters

Griffin Technology has a number of exciting serial compatibility products for the Apple Macintosh computers. The gPort and g4Port adapters provide standard Mac serial ports that are compatible with all Mac serial devices. They support all Apple and third party serial and localtalk printers, midi devices, as well as any other serial device that works on a Mac.

The gPort, g4Port, and CubePort use the modem slot on the G3, G4, or G4 Cube so they provide "board level" compatibility, even supporting Localtalk file sharing and printing to your existing Localtalk printers. The gPort, g4Port, CubePort take only moments to install.

something i didnt catch the first time around:
if u have a g3 ppc u need the "gPort" version
if u have a g4 ppc u need the "g4port" version
and if u use mac os 9.04 or higher u need to get the driver extension v1.03+ or higher

The iPort adapter also provides a Mac serial port for iMac computers that is compatible with all serial devices. And like the gPort adapters it supports Localtalk printing and file sharing. The iPort also provides video out for a mirrored display connected to your iMac. It is compatible with the original Rev A and Rev B iMacs (233 Mhz).





gPort

Connector : Mini Din 9
Geoport Power : 700 mA (max)
Dimensions : 1.5 (38 mm) x 1.5 (38 mm)
Tested for FCC class B compliance
For Home and Office Use, CE
iPort

Geoport Power : 700 mA (max)
Video Bandwidth : 148 Mhz
Sync Signal : Separate, Composite
Resolutions : 512x384 -1600x1200
Dimensions : 3 in (76 mm) x 3 in (76 mm)
Tested for FCC class B compliance
For Home and Office Use
http://www.dmandp.com/cab/griffin/products/gport/compatibility.html

drivers:
https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/10763/griffin-gport-serial-midi
https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/7159/griffin-gport-driver-x
http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/running-windows-anything-else-your-mac/158193-gport-driver.html

review:
http://lowendmac.com/reviews/gport.html

article mentions the gport:
http://media.soundonsound.com/sos/nov00/images/macsgriffin.l.gif
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov00/articles/g4s.htm

[supernova777]

great - i wish i was attaching all pics as attachments from the start - it seems that alot of these sites i linked are starting to go down.


sure wish the web archive was better at saving images
http://web.archive.org/web/20120703032300/http://www.dmandp.com/cab/griffin/products/

what a mess.. welcome to the www - world wide wastebin