You might want to look at JSynthLib.org, an open source Java project which seems to be dormant. You could see an example of what Java source code for a programmer/librarian looks like.
- synergeezer
--- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "derek192603" <dacook.sa432bb@...> wrote:
>
> --- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "Erkki" <emannikk@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > I´ve played an1x for years now and love it. An1xEdit is also great but i would like to make my own software tools to aid my music making.
> >
> > I know very little about programming. Could anyone recommend any programming language or point me to any resources? What information do I need of an1x internal workings?
> >
> > Erkki
> >
>
> Hi, I chose to program in Java as the resulting applications are (with little extra effort) cross platform on both PC and OSX and any other platform capable of running Java. You need to be aware of a few differences between PC and MAC, like mouse down instead of mouse up for menu selections (so check for both), different menu key accelerators, etc. Java is free from Sun at http://java.sun.com/ . If you are developing, then you will need the SDK version.
>
> Whilst you can program in Java by only using the Sun command line tools, I use the Eclipse IDE which is (amazingly) free at www.eclipse.org but actually I use a commercial variant called MyEclipse at http://myeclipseide.com/ which gives a lot more features such as HTML editing. It costs $50 a year for a subscription license. Sun also do an IDE called Netbeans, which is a free download, but TBH I settled on Eclipse as I found it more mature and faster at the time I made the choice.
>
> If you go the Java route, then note that by default Apple's Java implementation of Java MIDI does not support external devices (synths!). You need an extension for doing this, such as Plumstone. http://www.mandolane.co.uk/
>
> As I've been using Java for eight years now, I can't comment on the state of things like VB.NET and C# on PC and I've never specifically programmed on MAC (although I currently have one on loan and am very drawn towards it as a platform that IS far superior to PCs. It makes me regret now going the PC route in 2001 when I gave up my Amigas!).
>
> All the info you need to send and receive from the AN1x is given in the AN1x data list manual.
>
> A good hex editor is also useful for poking about the internals of data files such as SYSEX dumps and AN1 files. I use Winhex (shareware, but a bargain). http://www.x-ways.net/winhex/
>
> Part of the joy of programming for synths is the analytical detective work required sometimes to understand file formats where no public data is available. The EX5 and Motif were a real devil to understand! The AN1x is fairly easy to understand though.
>
> Gary Gregson did publish details on the AN1 file format used by AN1xEdit. I'm not sure if that is still publicly available. If you can't find it then let me know.
>
> A utility like MIDIOX is invaluable for seeing what is going on and experimenting with sending SYSEX commands by typing them before writing something to program them. http://www.midiox.com/
>
> Hope that is enough to get you started. A word of warning though: programming stuff for synths can be as addictive as the synths themselves! I have to ensure that I balance my time between programming and actually playing the darn things.
>
> Cheers
> Derek
>