Prophet-T8 Librarian General Info
for Commodore 64
and Sequential 242 or Passport MIDI Cartridge
(c) 1987 by Stanley Jungleib
INTRODUCTION
Sequential's Prophet-T8 was the design apex of the classic analog
performance synthesizer. Although it has long been out of production,
the Prophet-T8 remains popular because of its sound, keyboard,
and ease of use. Its robust analog voices, and deep, rich bottom
and mid-range, embarrass most digital synths. The solid wood keyboard
provides highly expressive velocity and polyphonic pressure control.
(This very same keyboard was chosen by New England Digital for
their Synclavier.) And the Prophet-T8 was also one of the last
instruments to provide separate knobs for editing parameters --
before the market gave way to "one-knob" synths. As
a result, it is much easier to edit on the T8 than virtually any
other synth.
Sequential released a Model 900 dump utility for the Commodore
64 and 242 cartridge which stored complete sets of T8 programs.
Many early starters in the MIDI game used this combination of
hardware, and/or the Passport MIDI cartridge. But there has not
yet been a librarian for the same hardware that allows you to
name, save, and load individual programs.
Finally, appears this librarian. It makes it much easier to organize,
and therefore take advantage of, your favorite Prophet-T8 programs.
The difference this system will make over the long haul, in allowing
you to fully explore the T8's powers, will be quite significant
and well worth the modest cost -- even if you don't already own
a C64.
T8 Librarian also includes a random program generator -- which
inspired the same feature on the Prophet VS. This tool destroys
programmer's block and forces your T8 to create instruments and
effects that you probably didn't think it could. (You can expect
10 - 20 % of your random programs to be promising.)
For convenience, the program also includes a general-purpose MIDI
utility which displays the status and data bytes of incoming data.
USER FEATURES
The MIDIWORLD T8 Librarian is not terribly complex or exotic.
But it does the job, does it accurately (because each transfer
is verified), and does it quickly. The user interface has been
streamlined to require the absolute minimum number of keystrokes.
The screen is color-coded for easy menu recognition and to signify
user actions:
green means "go ahead" and make a selection,
yellow means "be careful" because you are doing something
that may alter T8 memory or the disk, and
red means "stop" and wait for the C64 to do its thing.
To prevent having to convert back and forth between MIDI decimal
program numbers and T8 L/R program numbers, all program selections
are made on the T8.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
The program requires: a Commodore 64 with 1541 disk drive (or
SX-64), Sequential Model 242 (or 64) or Dr. T Model T MIDI Cartridge,
or Passport MIDI Cartridge, Prophet-T8, and two MIDI cables.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
To take full advantage of this software, I recommend that the
C64 be equipped with a disk accelerator such as the Skyles 1541
Flash. Operating this Librarian with an SX-64 and a ROM accelerator
gives you a compact, fast, and flexible virtual memory for the
Prophet-T8.
In answer to many inquiries, there is no Macintosh version at
this time. This Librarian justifies buying a C64 to commit to
the T8!
CONNECTION
Because of the librarian's program verification routines, to save
or load individual programs, both MIDI cables must be connected
directly between the MIDI cartridge and T8. (You cannot include
an accessory box which generates active sensing.)
PRICE AND DELIVERY
Note: When ordering, please specify Sequential or Passport interface.
Sorry, I have no information on availability of these cartridges.
Copies of the T8 Librarian are $35, which includes the disk, two
sample programs, instructions, handling, first class shipping
anywhere, and guaranteed satisfaction. California residents add
7% sales tax.
Note: This is not a Sequential product. It is produced and sold
by Stanley Jungleib's MIDIWORLD studio. Sequential and Passport
are registered trademarks.
Thank you very much for your inquiry...
| 
