Readers' Feedback

The Editors and Readers of COMPUTE!

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions you would like to see addressed in this column, write to "Readers' Feedback," COMPUTE!, P.O. Box 5406, Greensboro, NC 27403. Due to the volume of mail we receive, we regret that we cannot provide personal answers to technical questions.

MIDI And Micros

I own an Atari ST and am interested in buying a MIDI keyboard, but I don't know which keyboards are MIDI compatible. Does the keyboard come with cables that I can connect to the computer right away? If not, where can I find the cables?

Jasper Wong

There are many synthesizer keyboards available, so it can be difficult to choose one. Among the most popular are the Yamaha DX7II (the latest incarnation of the DX7) and the Casio CZ101. Although MIDI keyboards do not usually come with cables, the cables are not difficult to find. A standard MIDI cable has five-pin male DIN connectors on each end. You should be able to buy one at a Radio Shack or other electronics store, at a computer store, or at a music store.

To use the synthesizer in conjunction with your computer, you'll need to buy appropriate software. Many types are available, ranging from simple programs designed to mimic player pianos, to more ambitious ones that transcribe your playing into sheet music.