| NotePad Software Synthesizer |
MINIMUSIC BUILDS A SYNTHESIZER INTO MUSIC SOFTWARE FOR PALM OS HANDHELDS
Notation software upgrade gets a face lift and a built-in synth!
| NotePad Software Synthesizer |
Until now, most PalmOS handheld computers could only generate monophonic sound (one note at a time) and additional hardware was needed to hear chords or counterpoint played back. A few models (mostly from Sony's Clie line of handhelds) have had sound cards built-in or available as an optional add on module, and these have been supported by all miniMusic software. But this is the first time that polyphonic sound (many notes at a time) can be played without any additional hardware. All that is required is version 5 or higher of the Palm operating system (supports the Palm Tungsten T, T2, T3, C, E, Zire 71, Sony Clie UX40, UX50, TJ35 and others; will not work on the Zire 21 or Sony Clie TJ25).
Other software developers have been able to generate enhanced audio on OS 5 handhelds from pre-recorded files (like MP3 players for example), but NotePad 1.2 is actually creating the complex digital audio in real time during playback with no pre-recorded file.
"If the hardware and operating system would have allowed it, this is the product we would have released two years ago," says Chad Mealey, chief developer at miniMusic. "We've constantly struggled with various hardware manufacturers to offer enhanced sound for handheld computers, but now we can just make it ourselves!"
The initial release of NotePad 1.2 will support 4-note polyphony (4 notes can be playing simultaneously) but miniMusic is already working on the next version of the synthesis engine to allow for greater polyphony and even different instrument sounds. NotePad also supports the sound card found in many Sony Clie handhelds (including the T, TG, NR, NX, and NZ-series Clies).
The entire rendering engine has been overhauled to take advantage of the high resolution (320x320 pixel or higher) screens found on most modern handheld computers. Gone are all of the jagged edges on notes, rests, clefs and other notation elements. The other major change is a new exporting feature that lets you export songs as MIDI files to any memory card in your handheld (like SD cards or Memory Sticks) instead of relying on a desktop HotSync plug-in.
NotePad is just one of many applications currently available from miniMusic. BeatPad is a powerful pattern sequencer allowing the manipulation of musical patterns and loops as they are playing, making it a great performance tool. Educational games are available: EarTrain teaches recognition of musical intervals, the foundation of chords and scales, and BugBand drills the basics of reading musical notation and teaches sight reading for both piano and guitar.
Pricing, Availability, and Distribution
The NotePad 1.2 Upgrade will be free for all current owners of NotePad, or it can purchased for $29.95 from the miniMusic website, or as part of the new miniMusic Mobile Software Pack available for $59.95 on-line and from select retail outlets (Mobile Software Pack owners must register on the miniMusic website or by mail to get the free upgrade). Free demos of all miniMusic software titles are currently available for download from the miniMusic web-site at www.miniMusic.com and from other Palm OS software distributors such as Handango.com or PalmGear.com.
About miniMusic
Based in San Francisco, miniMusic provides portable music tools for composition, education, performance, and entertainment so that musical ideas can be explored anywhere and anytime, giving individuals the freedom of musical expression on their own terms. Shipping applications include NotePad, BeatPad, EarTrain and BugBand and a Palm-to-MIDI hardware interface.
For more information please visit the miniMusic website at http://www.minimusic.com
miniMusic, miniMusic NotePad, EarTrain, BeatPad and BugBand are trademarks of miniMusic. Palm Platform is a registered trademark, and Palm and Palm OS Powered are trademarks of Palm Computing, Inc.. Clie is a registered trademark of Sony. All other brands and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.