MIDI Devices
MIDI, or Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is an industry standard interface protocol for connecting digital musical instruments, computers, and other devices which comply with the MIDI standard. This is a small selection of MIDI devices which were designed for, or marketed for, the ZX Spectrum.
ZX Spectrum+ 128K models had a built-in MIDI interface port.
ZX Spectrum+ 128K models had a built-in MIDI interface port.
MIDI Interfaces
The ZX Spectrum can become a powerful music sequencer, when it is connected to MIDI compatible devices, and to do this a MIDI inteface is required. MIDI interfaces tended to be sold for hobbyist and semi-professional work, and as such they were priced higher than other Spectrum peripherals.
Features
Original Price
Micon Interface
XRI Systems
Has DIN sockets at top of unit consisting of MIDI in, MIDI out, SYNC in, SYNC out.
£180.001
JMS Midi Interface
Siel/Rosetti
Sold by both Siel and Rosetti. The interface consists of two units seperated by a 60cm cable. The larger of the two units houses the input/output sockets. The three sockets on the left side are Control IN, THRU, MIDI. The three on the right are all MIDI out.
£74.00 (Siel)1
£94.95 (Rosetti)1
£94.95 (Rosetti)1
Upstream MIDI Interface
Upstream Computer Systems
Included software that offered an 8000-note polyphonic sequencer and 16 tracks. Microdrive compatitble.
Created by Rupert Goodwins for the rock band Mensana4.
£139.003
MIDI Keyboards
What follows is a small sample of MIDI keyboards that have been deemed suitable by the contemporary computer press to be connected to a ZX Spectrum via a suitable interface.
Some will work with the original ZX Spectrum and others with the 128/+2 and in some cases with both. It should be noted that most of these keyboards were not designed specifically with the ZX Spectrum in mind and may not have worked as expected.
Features
Original Price
Cheetah MK5
Features a full-size, live octave polyphonic keyboard with 61 keys and pitch bend wheel.
Up to 128 patches can be recalled from the chosen sound module Other features: hold function, octave shift, LED display, MIDI out (assignable to any one of 16 MINI channels), metal case
Can be utilised to a computer music controller via the Cheetah MIDI interlace. Compatible with the 128/+2.
£99.95*2
Siel MK900
Features: 61 keys over 5 octaves, 10 voices, rhythm unit which includes drums, bass, rhythm and arpeggio and 10 preset ryhthms, built in 4W per channel stereo amplifier.
£459.00*1
References
1. "Midi in The Home", ZX Computing, June/July 1985 p.44-492. "The Sound of Cheetah", ZX Computing, January 1987 p.4
3. "Going for a Song", Sinclair Answers, 1984 Issue No.1 p.26
4. "New ROM antics", Sinclair User, May 1984 p.104-105
External Links
BBC Tommorow's World excerpt featuring Mensana.Rupert Goodwins Biography at Wikipedia.
Article about Mensana at muzines.co.uk.
Last revision : 15/08/2024