- SyX - Amiga MIDI System Exclusive dump utilitiy

Release date: 15-01-1997


- What is SyX?

SyX is a MIDI utility that can record, transmit and save MIDI System
Exclusive data. It can receive multiple messages, what is usefull for synths
that send more than one SysEx message in a Bulk Dump. 
When transmitting the SysEx data, you can set a delay between bytes and/or
messages. Some synths, like the Roland MC303 require this in order to
receive the messages correctly.


- Copyright and stuff

SyX is copyrighted 1997 by Thijs van der Vossen. It may be freely used and
distributed as long as all the original files are included. I am not
responsible for any damage due to the use of this program whatsoever.

If you have questions, suggestions, bug-report or you simply want to tell me
that you like this program, you can e-mail me at: T.Vossen@mail.uva.nl
Also try the SyX homepage for updates: http://huizen.dds.nl/~tvdv/SyX.html

I would like to thank Sander, Joris, Laurens and Jonathan for beta-testing
SyX. Thanx guys!


- Requirements

You will need OS 2.0 or greater to run SyX. It also needs the Req.Library
for the filerequester. This library is included in the archive. You also of
course need a MIDI interface and some sort of MIDI equipment.
SyX has been developed on a standard A1200 using BlitzBasic and has been
tested on several other Amiga's configurations.


- Installation

If you don't have the Req.Library present in your LIBS: directory, you have
to copy it. This can be done automatically by clicking the install-SyX icon.


- How to use it?

Press the Rec button to record some messages. If all the messages are
recorded, press Stop. Use the project menu to save the messages in one big
file that can be loaded later. To transmit the buffer, press Play.

If the buffer is too small, you can set a new buffersize by typing a new
number in the BuffSize: gadget. You can empty the buffer by pressing Clear.

There are two delay gadgets, where you can type the amount of delay. You can
set delay between bytes (don't do this, this is *very* slow!) and between
messages (20 for the Roland MC303).


- Buttons and gadgets

Rec (keyboard shortcut: r) - SyX will start recording the incoming SysEx
messages. If all the messages are recorded, press Stop to end the recording.
If SyX receives more bytes than the buffer can hold, it will display an
error message. Any last incomplete message will then be removed. This also
happens when you press stop in the middle of recording a message. SyX never
stores a incomplete SysEx message.

Play (keyboard shortcut: p) - SyX will start transmitting all the messages
that are currently stored in the buffer. it will display the number of the
message currently being transmitted. You can end the playback by pressing
Stop.

Stop (keyboard shortcut: s) - Ends the recording or playback of SysEx
messages.

BuffSize: - The buffersize gadget displays the size of the buffer. You can
change this by typing a new number in the gadget and pressing return. The
mimimum buffersize is 16. The maximum size depends on the amount of free
memory. If you type a number that is too high, SyX will allocate a buffer of
maximum possible size.

Clear (keyboard shortcut: c) - SyX will clear the buffer.

Bytes: - This gadget displays the number of MIDI bytes stored in the buffer.

Dly: (bytes delay) - Here you can type a number to set a delay between the
transmitted bytes. Delays are in units of 20ms. ATTENTION! Setting a delay
between bytes makes the playback of SysEx data *very* slow. I do not know
any piece of MIDI equipment that needs this, so don't use it unless you
really think it is needed.

Messages: - This gadget displays the number of MIDI messages stored in the
buffer.

Dly: (messages delay) - Here you can type a number to set the delay between
transmitted SysEx messages. For use with the Roland MC303, it should be set
to 20. Most other synths will work with a zero delay.


- Menu items

Load - loads a SysEx file.

Save As - Let you select a name and saves the buffer to disk. SysEx uses a
raw format for it's files. This means that the MIDI bytes are saved to disk
in exactly the same way that they are received and that no header is added
to the file. This format is also used by SysExpert and most other dump
utilities. SysEx files that you find on internet are usually also in this
format. I recommend a .syx extension for your files (SYstem eXclusive).

Save - Saves the file. If no filemame has been selected, a error message
will be displayed.

MIDI - This toggles the MIDI port. If you select this, the serial port can
be used by other programs. SyX will display the message 'Serial port now
free...' and you can no longer record of play SysEx data. Select it again to
enable MIDI once again.

About (keyboard shortcut: Help) - Displays the about and help window.

Quit - Well, sort of exits the program.


- Future Updates

Any future updates can be downloaded from the SyX homepage, so be sure to
check it out once in a while. Some things that could be included:

- OctaMED SysEx fileformat support.
- Tooltypes in the icon to set the buffersize, delays and directory.
- CLI usage.
- Load, Save and About buttons in the window.
- ARexx port.

Let me know what you like most! Other sugggestions are also welcome. 
e-mail: T.Vossen@mail.uva.nl
SyX homepage: http://huizen.dds.nl/~tvdv/SyX.html