Music Bytes - Tips For Saving On Professional Software For Musicians, Part I

If you are outraged by the prices software giants demand for their tools, it's time to check out shareware. Small independent developers often provide similar solutions that cost three to five times less AND you get to try them before paying.

John's First Pick - MIDI Maestro

MIDI Maestro is music software designed for use by amateur and professional music directors, conductors, and soloists in live musical theater and similar musical accompaniment situations. Dynamic, intuitive performance control and powerful sequencing and editing capabilities combine to make MIDI Maestro the only music software you will need for your production.

These are the views and the layout used most often during a live performance. It's always easy to see what's coming up: tempos, cues, instrument changes, etc. The current position indicator remains in the center of the display. Tracks may be color-coded.

Most views may be zoomed both horizontally and vertically. You may choose to open and work with individual files, or "sets" of songs as used for a performance. The current beat number is always prominently displayed. The current measure number is also emphasized. A "bouncing ball" metronome may be used to assist you with conducting in slow or tempo-dynamic passages. A "tempo ratio" control allows you to make real-time adjustments to the tempo during performance. All commands critical during a performance may be mapped to your MIDI keyboard. Cues are color-coded and easy to read. Cue icons remain visible at all times in most views, even as views are scrolled or resized.

The staff view organizes music into standard notation. Printing is also supported. There're also lead-sheet, karaoke, piano roll, event list, and controller views.

MIDI Maestro may also be used as a virtual "Karaoke machine" complete with bouncing ball or highlighted text. Waveform audio clips may be combined with your MIDI tracks. MIDI Maestro also includes some very powerful waveform audio editing and visualization features. Other features include high-quality MIDI/Audio synchronization and support for VSTi software synthesizers.

Additional Information: http://www.deprice.com/midimaestromm4.htm

John Deprice owns and operates a large music software archive http://www.deprice.com/audio.htm

---

Buying A Guitar

There are many things to consider when buying a new... Read More

Piano Lessons Can be Fun!

There are essentially two ways to learn piano - note... Read More

Learning the Piano and Playing the Piano

Many piano students spend much time learning how to play... Read More

An Interview with Jon Bon Jovi ? 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Cant Be Wrong

The idea originated with singer Jon Bon Jovi. Jon kept... Read More

Guitar Tuning Tips

Most new guitar players and even some experienced ones have... Read More

Surf Waves With Jack Johnson

Lately I've been listening to some pretty cool music by... Read More

Hip Hop Clothing

Celebrities now such as Outkast, a fashion wear can be... Read More

The Case Against Traditional Piano Lessons

How would you like to spend 4 years in a... Read More

How to Compose Your Own Music Using 8-bar Phrases

Some people think composing is this miraculous thing that only... Read More

The Strange Days (mostly nights) of Guns N? Roses

Kenny "Axil" Rose (Lead vocals), D.J. "Slash (Lead guitar), Joshua... Read More

Right-Hand Techniques for New Age Piano

Recently, I had a student ask me to offer some... Read More

Setting Up In-House Retail Sales

Now, that you are familiar and likely connected with online... Read More

Improvisation and Musical Form

Do you ramble on endlessly with your improvisations? If so,... Read More

Singing: The Tonic of Life

Most people these days would associate singing with the popular... Read More

Music: Uniting Nations, Dividing Generations

Cultures around the world since the beginning of time have... Read More

Music and Emotion

The Age-old Puzzle of Human ResponseIf you've listened to more... Read More

How to Buy an Electric Guitar

For most of us, making any major purchase, such as... Read More

Building A Good Relationship With Your Guitar

The guitar is considered the friendliest musical instrument there is.... Read More

Performance and Gigs

"For optimum amp tone onstage, plug your amp into your... Read More

The Top 10 Reasons Why You Suck At Playing Guitar

You don't 'need' to play guitar enough.If you desire to... Read More

Reaching For The Soul Zone

Every searching artist wants to get there. It's that magical... Read More

A Guitar Lesson to Help You Develop Your Vision

Have you ever done any of the following?1. Made excuses... Read More

Warner Music Executive Payments

"In human life, art may arise from almost any activity,... Read More

Modal Theory for Guitar Players - Part 2

Playing the ModesWhen I used to use this pack with... Read More

5 Sure Fire Ways to Get Radio Play for Your ?Independent? Music!

You have to find radio airplay time if you're going... Read More

How the Internet Helps Musicians

Everyone talks about the negative impact of the Internet on... Read More

Piano Playing For Adults: More Fun Than Sex And Not Nearly As Dangerous!

OK, so I lied about the fun part.Maybe piano playing... Read More

How Many Chords Are There, Anyway?

Since chords (the main component of harmony) are one of... Read More

Legal Free Music Downloads - Songs You Want at No Cost

It's all over the news these days. Download music from... Read More

Pakistani Pop Music

Pakistan is blessed with talent and when we talk about... Read More

Piano Playing is Easier than You Think When You Understand Musical Form

Form is the key that unlocks the musical map of... Read More

The King of the Delta Blues Singers - Robert Johnson Still Stands at the Crossroads

Probably the most enigmatic Singer and Guitarist of the twentieth... Read More

How Any DJ Can Increase Their Gigs and Profits By This Simple Strategy

The DJ industry is very competitive. There are many DJ's... Read More