The subject heading above is a much more accurate term for our
use of computer software in making arrangements for automatic
musical instruments.  Believe me, composers still *compose* with
pencil and paper; it's so much faster than fighting a computer, and
you can see the whole piece laid out on your work table.  Almost
every composer/arranger I know says he begins his work with the
computer switched off!

   After the inspiration dissipates, it's time for the perspiration
of editing to produce the final score;  the Schubert turns into a
Beethoven.  Many, but not all, arrangers will use a Sequencer-Editor
program of some sort to do the detailed arranging, while monitoring
the sound with a music synthesizer.

   (The term "sequencer" loosely implies "looping" a repetitive
rhythm to repeat every four measures, and you only have to turn on
the radio to hear what it sounds like.  So we just use the program
as an Editor, analogous to using a Text Editor to refining your
short story.)

   Incidentally, printing a good-looking music manuscript is an
entirely different process from editing.  The powerful (and very
expensive) program "Finale" creates beautiful manuscript on a laser
printer, but it takes months to learn it.  Since only music
publishing firms need this sort of quality, many less-complex
computer programs are now available which produce manuscripts
suitable for studio recording sessions, for example.

   Even so, when arrangeing for a music roll, David Wasson and I and
several others all prefer "piano roll" display over a display of
notes on a staff in manuscript format, for these reasons: (1) We are
used to viewing music rolls, (2) we have much better and faster
ability to control grace notes and glissandi and "rips", and (3) we
can conveniently handle non-playing control functions such as organ
registration changes.

   There is a close analogy again to the world of prose:  the author
uses his old typewriter or a simple text editor to edit and polish
his work, and the publisher uses a Linotype machine or modern
computer to make a nice looking printed manuscript.  In our case we
have no need for a manuscript: when the editing is finished we
perforate the roll and the job is done.

   MIDI, the Musical Instrument Digital Interface, was born in the
early 80's as a non-proprietary standard for transmitting control
signals, by wire, to music synthesizers.  The first commerical
computer program (running on a IBM-PC) was demonstrated at the Music
Merchants show in January 1984, and suddenly the industry realized
that a standard disk file structure was needed, along with the "Midi
wireline" hardware standard, so the Midi File Specification was
created.  In the decade since its introduction, virtually all
vendors of music editing and printing programs have added Midi File
import/export capability, so that the musician can freely move his
song to any program and use its best features.  David Wasson has
capitalized on this compatibility in his arrangeing efforts.

   I'm reminded that the fledgling phonograph industry all agreed on
the 78 rpm lateral standard, which immediately led to the separation
of music recording from phonograph manufacturing.  (Thomas Edison
refused to cooperate -- his product withered and died.)  In a rare
display of cooperation, the player piano industry agreed to a
standard music roll format in America, and it blossomed from there.

   Peter Smakula asks if there's any shareware kicking around.
Well, I can't think of any that I'd find useful for editing.  Again,
it's like word processors:  the good, powerful programs take so much
development investment that the publishers don't give 'em away.

   I prefer MasterTracks on my Macintosh for music editing; other
users -- who all deal with piano performances -- include Richard
Tonnesen (Custom Music Rolls), Rob DeLand (BluesTone Music Rolls),
Richard Riley (PianoMania recordings) and Eric Bernhoft (Upright &
Grand).  David Wasson gave a good report on several editor programs
for the PC, which I'll summarize here:

Cakewalk - Popular, not too expensive, useful.  The "piano roll"
   display is somewhat low-resolution and limited size.  Displays
   only one track at a time, which is maddening when editing organ
   arrangements of multiple manuals.  Ignores (and deletes) lyrics.

MasterTracks - I'm told the new edition on the PC is the same as the
   Mac version.  Only one track displayed, as in CakeWalk, but
   excellent time resolution when using a high-resolution monitor.
   Supports lyrics.  (If Richard Tonnesen can someday fit a laser
   printer onto his perforator I have "Word Roll" files ready!)
   Good control of tempo variation.

Cubase - no data

Vision - Inexpensive, can display several tracks simulataneously.
   I've not used it, David says it doesn't do well with Midi files.
   [They are therefore *doomed* if they don't fix it.]

Final Cut - Inexpensive, can display several tracks simultaneously.
   File size may be limited by available computer memory.  I liked
   the simultaneous tracks in color, when David help me set the
   registration for a big organ arrangement.

   No commercially sold program can cope with the strange problems
that arise in editing reproducing rolls, such as static and dynamic
skew, and so "off-line" operations are frequently necessary.  I have
written many routines for processing Midi file data and will be
happy to talk with anyone interested in this.

-- Robbie Rhodes <rhodes@foxtail.com>  10 August 1995