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[ametts]

I have an older MIDI Application that only understands the equally-old Apple MIDI Manager.  But Apple MIDI Manager only understands built-in serial ports, which my Mac doesn't have (and I can't get the Keyspan USB adapter to work with this configuration).

I saw a post mentioning an "Opcode MIDI Manager Driver".  Essentially, this replaces the Apple MIDI Driver that comes in the MIDI Manager package, and would let me see OMS ports from within the MIDI Manager patchbay (which would -- in theory -- let me use a USB MIDI Interface).  There are screenshots showing this at this link [1].

Trouble is, I can't seem to find this driver -- it doesn't seem to be contained within the OMS 2.3.8 package.  Anyone know where I can find it?

[1] http://archive.cassiel.com/space/Gearhead/Apple+MIDI+Manager

A----

[GaryN]

A lot to unpack here…
Apple MIDI Manager is was a 68k utility for old Macs typically running System 7 and below. Note that the link you provided is 20 years old.
You didn't say: what model your Mac is… but the fact that it's new enough to have USB ports shows that it probably won't run AMM successfully.
You also didn't say: what your using for a MIDI interface… but you certainly must have one.
You also didn't say: what the mystery app is… or how or why you're certain it will only work with AMM.

A Keyspan USB/serial adapter can and will emulate the original Mac serial ports when accompanied by the correct Keyspan driver.
OMS will do everything AMM did and much more.

If you fill in the blanks, I may be able to help.

[ametts]

Thanks GaryN, I successfully ran this Apple MIDI Manager configuration on a PowerPC tower, so I don't think I'll need a 68K machine to do this.  What I'm trying to use now is a G3 iBook.  The difference between the iBook and the tower is a lack of serial ports.

The software in question is also ancient, but it's very specialized (the only advanced editing option for a discontinued synth).  It can connect to MIDI on the Modem port, or Apple MIDI Manager.  That's it.  No OMS, no FreeMIDI.

The iBook has no modem or printer port, and the Keyspan adapter connected to an an Opcode MIDI Translator II isn't recognized by either the software or Apple MIDI Manager (even when I tell it to emulate the modem/printer ports).

In terms of MIDI interfaces, I have the Opcode MIDI Translator II (serial) and also MIDISport 2x2 and Edirol UM-1 devices (USB).  I only need one of these to work.

It sounds like OMS (maybe when it was "Opcode Music System" instead of "Open Music System") used to have a connector to the Apple MIDI Manager -- apparently it took the form of a driver that replaced the "Apple MIDI Driver" that came within the Apple MIDI Manager package.

Maybe someone has an older version of OMS that included this driver file?

[GaryN]

The biggest pain-in-the-ass of troubleshooting stuff on a forum is that simple questions / answers that would only take a second in real time become  long and drawn out.
Here are a few:

The Keyspan is usually NOT recognized as an interface or device. It just fakes the creation of serial ports where there were none…SO:
Are you saying that neither the editor or AMM "see" modem or printer ports as being present, or just no MIDI interface present?

Have you ever used a Keyspan before?
Can you successfully use it for anything else?
Why am i asking this?

Because: No matter what MIDI management software you use, it is looking for an interface of some kind on a serial port.
So, the first step to sort this out is to determine whether the problem is internal or external.
For example: If you load OMS, is your Translator II recognized as an interface and appear in the OMS setup screen?

A possibility: You may know ( or not? ) there are two kinds of Mini-DIN serial cables. Crossover (which work) and straight-through (which don't). You evidently at least had some correct ones working before with the tower. Are you using the same ones? If not, you need to determine which kind you have because most of what you find these days are wrong.

…and by the way: Are you certain there is NO other editor for your still-unidentified synth?
Have you checked Opcode Galaxy +Editors?  How about Soundiver?

Anyway, I don't know squat about an "OMS > AMM Driver" of any sort BUT here's OMS 1.1.3 you can try.
Holla back.

[RTIInstaller]

I have a schematic I made for the mac crossover serial cable as used by Opcode. Note sure how to post that here. I had to make my own cable.

[ametts]

Thanks again, GaryN...

Are you saying that neither the editor or AMM "see" modem or printer ports as being present, or just no MIDI interface present?

AMM doesn't show any ports at all.

Have you ever used a Keyspan before?
Can you successfully use it for anything else?

The Keyspan control panel seems to recognize it properly, but that's the only indication I have that the Keyspan itself is working.  Unfortunately, the Opcode Translator II is literally the last thing I have left with a Mac serial port, so I can't test it with anything else.

For example: If you load OMS, is your Translator II recognized as an interface and appear in the OMS setup screen?

This is a good idea.  I got OMS working with the MIDISport 2x2, but I never tried it with the KeySpan/TranslatorII combo.  It won't solve my issue, but at least I could maybe see the configuration work.

You may know ( or not? ) there are two kinds of Mini-DIN serial cables. Crossover (which work) and straight-through (which don't). You evidently at least had some correct ones working before with the tower. Are you using the same ones?

So I have an even-more-ancient PowerBook 170.  This same interface and cable works.  So unless the Keyspan requires a different cable than the PB170, I should be good here.

…and by the way: Are you certain there is NO other editor for your still-unidentified synth?
Have you checked Opcode Galaxy +Editors?  How about Soundiver?

It's a Yamaha VL1-m -- the multi-purpose editors cover the basics, but not the "Advanced" parameters handled by the "VL Expert Editor".  This is the application:  http://uea-io.de/wax/instrument/expedit.html

Anyway, I don't know squat about an "OMS > AMM Driver" of any sort BUT here's OMS 1.1.3 you can try.

Awesome!  Thanks again for your help -- I'm not near the iBook right now, but I'll try this stuff out and let you know how it goes.

[MacTron]

Requested file attached . Drop it inside your system folder and configure it using PatchBay as you wish.

I have an older MIDI Application that only understands the equally-old Apple MIDI Manager.  But Apple MIDI Manager only understands built-in serial ports, which my Mac doesn't have (and I can't get the Keyspan USB adapter to work with this configuration).

I saw a post mentioning an "Opcode MIDI Manager Driver".  Essentially, this replaces the Apple MIDI Driver that comes in the MIDI Manager package, and would let me see OMS ports from within the MIDI Manager patchbay (which would -- in theory -- let me use a USB MIDI Interface).  There are screenshots showing this at this link [1].

I have used a similar configuration for years.

[GaryN]

Once again, MacTron demonstrates why he is the master and all of us are not…

[MacTron]

Once again, MacTron demonstrates why he is the master and all of us are not…

thank you GaryN, but nowadays there is a huge amount value users around here... and together we are stronger

[IIO]

Once again, MacTron demonstrates why he is the master and all of us are not…

it is just straight problem solving.

if someone asks for a certain file you can either give him the file or you can start a theoretical discussion about the rare case of improperly patched midi cables.

[GaryN]

Or you can contribute an unnecessary smart-ass comment after the fact…

[teroyk]

Requested file attached . Drop it inside your system folder and configure it using PatchBay as you wish.

What OMS version has to be? I ask because just dropping to system/extension folder and after restarting starting PatchBay of Midi Manager only shows programs that need Midi Manager.

I just wondering can we make with this file ultimate MIDI solution to classic with Freemidi. I have read that OMS and Freemidi can work together.
So my question is has anybody tested can we make MIDI setup that works almost all software and hardware: Midi Manager with Freemidi with OMS?
I can also test if I get some hints how to make Midi Manager and OMS to work together.

[MacTron]

You only have to connect your Apple Midi Manager apps to OMS:



Make a forum search I had explained this in several occasions.

Here you can see Ballade (AMM) with FM7 and Kompakt (OMS) working together:

Click to Enlarge...

[GaryN]

I have read that OMS and Freemidi can work together.

I can't imagine where you read that.

OMS and FreeMIDI are very similar apps designed to interface the Mac with the external MIDI world. They both take control of the Mac serial port(s) and then connect them to a MIDI interface.

OMS does have a setup to allow "non-OMS" apps to use the ports but it does that by simply releasing control of them when you enable a non-OMS app. That might allow you to run FreeMIDI separately but I don't think there's a comparable setup for FreeMIDI so you would have to actually quit FreeMIDI to get back to OMS. Sounds like a lot of trouble and a likely extension conflict between them.

The question needs to be asked: "Why try to run the two simultaneously to begin with?"
They both do the same thing…almost exactly. The unique capability you get with either is the control software for the MIDI interfaces. The Studio 3,4,5 etc. Opcode units with OMS or the MIDI Express, MIDI Timepiece etc. MOTU units with FreeMIDI.

If you're using Performer and a MOTU interface, it makes sense to use FreeMIDI - everything works well within the MOTU "ecosystem".
Anything else you're very probably better off with OMS.

MacTron can tell you if you need a specific OMS version to work with MIDI Manager.

[IIO]

there is a freemidi OMS driver isnt it?

[teroyk]

Make a forum search I had explained this in several occasions.
Here you can see Ballade (AMM) with FM7 and Kompakt (OMS) working together:

I did many searches before my original write, I had found that picture too
But Thanks MacTron! You make me read many messages from your 1700 messages and, now I found your old good message and there is the important thing: OMS Midi Manager driver has to be in System Folder and not System Folder/Extensions/

[teroyk]

The question needs to be asked: "Why try to run the two simultaneously to begin with?"
They both do the same thing…almost exactly. The unique capability you get with either is the control software for the MIDI interfaces. The Studio 3,4,5 etc. Opcode units with OMS or the MIDI Express, MIDI Timepiece etc. MOTU units with FreeMIDI.

If you're using Performer and a MOTU interface, it makes sense to use FreeMIDI - everything works well within the MOTU "ecosystem".
Anything else you're very probably better off with OMS.

I have Studio 5 (needs OMS) and Keyspan Pro (needs Freemidi) and Peavey SP-Remote (needs Apple Midi Manager, but started today work with OMS with driver of topic)

[teroyk]

there is a freemidi OMS driver isnt it?

Where

[IIO]

They both do the same thing…almost exactly. The unique capability you get with either is the control software for the MIDI interfaces. The Studio 3,4,5 etc. Opcode units with OMS or the MIDI Express, MIDI Timepiece etc. MOTU units with FreeMIDI.

it is exactly the other way round: it is the software which requires a certain enviroment, the midi interfaces usually work with either.

only AMM has limits in hardware support (i think midi manager doesnt know shite about USB?)

cubase for example likes OMS and DP likes freemidi - but when you are a motu midi interface user and you run cubase or protools you only need to install the freemidi OMS driver in your OMS folder and off you go.


if you dont use DP you can actually try to avoid freemidi at all, like you said, there are not much apps which would ask for it.

when i think about it, there are also programs which supprt both... VSamp for example can be set up with freemidi OR OMS. best solution in my opinion.

[GaryN]

it is exactly the other way round: it is the software which requires a certain enviroment, the midi interfaces usually work with either.

only AMM has limits in hardware support (i think midi manager doesnt know shite about USB?)

You're missing my point. I'm saying that. for example, OMS when used with an Opcode studio interface, will reveal functions unique to that interface and will program it and control it easily…i.e. SMPTE code generation, default MIDI routings when an your sequencer is not active etc.

AMM has limits and doesn't know shite about USB because it's ancient It pre-dates both OMS and FreeMIDI. I used it on my very first Mac Plus a looong time ago. Just for perspective, at the time , I had a 2400 baud modem and that was cutting edge!