Mix-it-up is a program that began last year as a class project. My professor was only worried about the workings of the program - I kept worrying about the user interface aspects. Well, I've worried about both and the program is finally done! Or so it would seem. To use this program, you need a Mac (obviously), a MIDI interface from the Mac to a sound source, and a Sequencer that will read and write Standard Midi Files. If you don't have all of this stuff, I'm afraid this program will be of no use to you.
This program basically will re-write you melodies in a different way. You will find that "chunks" of the original tunes you input to the program will appear in the output - this is very intentional! I didn't want to write some weird random generation, cause that doesn't sound like music at all. This creates fairly musical files, although I haven't programmed it to recognize that there should be a certain amount of beats to the bar, etc. Nonetheless, it's a fun tool that actually has some use. I have found during my testing that anything that is not monophonic causes unpredictable results - something to look into in a future version. For now, use only monophonic lines for inputs.
I'm completely unaware of any other programs that are similar to this one, but I would guess that they do exist. However, mine's only $10! Plus, if you can suggest things to change (or fix, as the case may be), a simple postcard or e-mail message will do, and it will appear in a future version, provided I have the time and that the Shareware fees are paid.
I've tested this program with Vision and Performer as the sequencers, a Yamaha and Roland keyboard, and a Mac SE. A lot of the developing was done on a Mac II, a IIci, and an SE/30, as well as the SE, so it should work on these computers. It seems to work under System 7, and works under 6.0.x with or without multifinder. It was written using THINK C 4.0.5.
If you keep this program, please send the $10 Shareware fee to:
Chuck Urwiler
700 Meetinghouse Road
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077-3741
I would like to hear from you whether or not you keep this program, to tell me why you did or did not like it. Either drop a postcard to the above address, or e-mail on internet to chuck@umiami.ir.miami.edu, or if you have a PAN account, mail to user curwiler.
