Very interesting, so you started working with MIDI in 1982, a whole year before the MIDI standards were introduced in 1983?

Now that is amazingly clever.

Please explain to us how you did that.

Posted by: JohnG

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Very interesting, so you started working with MIDI in 1982, a whole year before the MIDI standards were introduced in 1983?

Now that is amazingly clever.

Please explain to us how you did that.

In 1982 I was using the Yamaha CS-70M, I think that was the last synth Yamaha made without MIDI Ports.  A year later I was using the DX-7 and then a few years later the TX-816 rack.  

It's pretty obvious I was off by a year. From the tone of your reply I can safely assume you've never made an error like that. 

Posted by: Jerry Gerber

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In 1982 I was using the Yamaha CS-70M, I think that was the last synth Yamaha made without MIDI Ports.  A year later I was using the DX-7 and then a few years later the TX-816 rack.  

It's pretty obvious I was off by a year. From the tone of your reply I can safely assume you've never made an error like that. 

Nope, never, but then I am neurodivergent (a bit autistic), so it's unsurprising.

I started in 1988 after having bought a Yamaha Electone HS-6 organ and coupled it to an Atari 520ST.

I then moved on to an SW1000-XG card, next an MU128, then MU1000 with PLGs for AN, DX and VL, before I started messing with orchestral VSTs.

I already worked for a UK mainframe manufacturer as a data communications protocol analyst and so the MIDI messages seemed quite straightforward (also an autistic trait). I started in computers in 1966 operating an RCA301.

Now, in my eightieth year, I make orchestral backing tracks for local choirs ... keeps me out of mischief.

Hi Jerry, welcome to the forum!  It's much quieter here than it used to be, but still does get some back and forth every once in a while.  Your work sound very cool. 😀 

Posted by: Jason

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Hi Jerry, welcome to the forum!  It's much quieter here than it used to be, but still does get some back and forth every once in a while.  Your work sound very cool. 😀 

Hi Jason,

Glad you listened to my work!  Yeah, it seems pretty quiet around here..

Best,

Jerry

https://www.youtube.com/@astromusicvideo/videos

Do you do any post processing on the recorded version of the audio? It all sounds very smooth. Wondering if that is an artifact of XG. I've noticed that, at least in my own collection of MIDI, genuine XG files tend to be a lot more dynamic and expressive.

Also curious what you currently use for your playback devices. Do you generally stick to one or two, or do you have a whole studio's worth like some folks have? How many channels are you typically using in a finished composition? 

Also, I imagine as a professional composer, you most likely do not have your MIDI files freely available for download (didn't see any on your site).  One of the things I like about MIDI is how easy it is to change the sound of a piece.  I like to listen to originals and then see how they sound with my setup. (I guess I am also assuming standard MIDI files rather than something DAW based, which actually seems more likely now that I think about it)

I mainly use Winamp with CoolSoft VirtualMIDISynth for my playback, with a wide range of soundfonts stacked to give me the sound I like. While it does support much of the XG format, soundfonts only work with sound samples stored as a single bank select option, either MSB or LSB, so can't handle some of the finer nuances you can have from all the variations available on an actual hardware device.  All of my MIDI experience is purely through software. I have never owned any MIDI hardware, though I find it fascinating. 

Back when I had Win 98, I had the Yamaha S-YXG1000 virtual MIDI sound device installed, and that was my go-to playback until XP came around. 

I started remastering video game soundtracks in 2021, creating GS versions of full Super Nintendo OSTs.  The vast majority of my posts on the forum are related to this project in one way or another. 

https://midi.org/community/creating-with-midi/snes-midi-remaster-project-new-release-december-19-2025

Welcome Jerry. Have I seen you in the Cakewalk forums? 😀 

Posted by: Jason

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Do you do any post processing on the recorded version of the audio? It all sounds very smooth. Wondering if that is an artifact of XG. I've noticed that, at least in my own collection of MIDI, genuine XG files tend to be a lot more dynamic and expressive.

Also curious what you currently use for your playback devices. Do you generally stick to one or two, or do you have a whole studio's worth like some folks have? How many channels are you typically using in a finished composition? 

Also, I imagine as a professional composer, you most likely do not have your MIDI files freely available for download (didn't see any on your site).  One of the things I like about MIDI is how easy it is to change the sound of a piece.  I like to listen to originals and then see how they sound with my setup. (I guess I am also assuming standard MIDI files rather than something DAW based, which actually seems more likely now that I think about it)

I mainly use Winamp with CoolSoft VirtualMIDISynth for my playback, with a wide range of soundfonts stacked to give me the sound I like. While it does support much of the XG format, soundfonts only work with sound samples stored as a single bank select option, either MSB or LSB, so can't handle some of the finer nuances you can have from all the variations available on an actual hardware device.  All of my MIDI experience is purely through software. I have never owned any MIDI hardware, though I find it fascinating. 

Back when I had Win 98, I had the Yamaha S-YXG1000 virtual MIDI sound device installed, and that was my go-to playback until XP came around. 

I started remastering video game soundtracks in 2021, creating GS versions of full Super Nintendo OSTs.  The vast majority of my posts on the forum are related to this project in one way or another. 

https://midi.org/community/creating-with-midi/snes-midi-remaster-project-new-release-december-19-2025

Hi Jason,

After I finish the composition and orchestration I error-check the MIDI sequence for any problems, i.e. a patch change that happens a tick before a note, etc.  When I am satisfied the sequence is in good shape I export the sequence to Sibelius to create the score.  Then I render the MIDI data to audio, usually two track stereo unless I am working with a live player or singer in which case I'll make stems that later get assembled into a composite track. After recording the audio I apply, if needed, EQ, or Dynamic EQ, and sometimes the Sonnex Inflator.  I record the music with reverb, I don't add it later.  

No, I don't like to give my MIDI sequences to others.  I would if someone asked and I thought they might be able to make a rendition that I'd like, but that almost never happens.  Yeah, I worked on video game soundtracks in the 80s and 90s too.  

DAW Files can be standard MIDI files as well as proprietary to that specfic DAW.  Before exporting the Sonar sequence I convert it to standard MIDI file type 1, which Sibelius can read.

I'm currently working on my 14th symphony for virtual instruments.  Here's the first movement if you're interested:

symph14mvt1

Best,

Jerry

Posted by: Eddie Lotter

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Welcome Jerry. Have I seen you in the Cakewalk forums? 😀 

Hi Eddie,

Yeah, I've been around the Cakewalk forum for decades.  I started sequencing on the PC (before that the Yamaha QX1 and QX3) using Cakewalk for DOS and stayed with Cakewalk all these years.  I used Digital Performer for a little over a year and liked it, and tried Pro Tools, Reaper and Cubase as well.  But something about Cakewalk (Sonar) that keeps me using it.  Though it has its quirks (what software doesn't?) I find it the best tool for the way I work.

Jerry