Kind neighbors,

For several months I've been reading the Digest, offering my two cents
from time to time.  I've plyed through the MIDI discussions day by day
and perused the past archives in an effort to get a handle on the
computerized side of mechanical music.  As most, I appreciate most the
original mechanics of self-playing reproducing machines, yet an
expanding interest in computers can't help but make me ask, "How can I
do this another way?"

As much of the computer discussions here are way over my head, perhaps
a kind contributor can offer some basic help.

Say I have an electrically controlled musical instrument, such as a
xylophone or a Mills Violino, or some other thing that can be
controlled by electromagnets or relays.

How do we get from the MIDI music, that I've learned to watch nicely
scroll by the computer monitor in piano roll format, to activate relays
or switches that correspond with each note?

I'm sure the answer is just the tip of the iceberg that I've be reading
about from time to time here.  Could someone review these basics?
While gutting a Mills Violin is the furthest thing from my mind, it
would be interesting to see those "get-them-anywhere" MIDI files play
REAL musical instruments.

Easier said than done, I'm sure.  But I can see that the basics should
be quite simple, even if they open a Pandora's Box of refinements,
arrangements and rearrangements, etc.

As far as computers go, I'm a seasoned amateur.  In the music area, I
may have a tin ear.  Please bear in mind that my days are spent as a
railroad trainmaster, so my technological expertise dates to the era of
cast iron typewriters and relays the size of shoe boxes.

Any help would be appreciated.

Ed Gloeggler,¶
Long Beach, New York