BeOS: The MusicWeaver

Relatively new on the music software scene, is The Musicweaver (TMW), a multi-track recorder for BeOS. In its latest version (2.0), TMW features many enhancements to its intuitively designed GUI.

"The MusicWeaver is a real-time MIDI data stream manipulator ("Morph your MIDI!"), using an interlinked net of small processing modules. You build the desired network graphically as a 'flow-diagram' through simple drag-and-drop operations. You can do simple things like note transposition or keyboard splits, or more complex operations such as performing different transformations on notes of different velocities. The range of modules is always expanding, and so are the possibilities. This release adds recording and playback of MIDI, and provides new-Midikit access to and from other applications.

Upgrading from the previous version which included the Weaver main program ('v3.0') with hierarchical diagrams ('Composite Elements'), on-line help, routing and naming of paths, direct replacement of elements in a diagram and many other features, TMW has added the following extra features to the latest version:

RePlay - Records and plays back MIDI sequences; also records MusicWeaver-unique stream control information.

MidiFile - Simple standard Midifile recorder.

AcceptMidi - Will import a MIDI stream from another application that uses the new R5 MidiKit.

ProduceMidi - Exports a MIDI stream to another application that uses the new MidiKit.

Most of these new features require the software to be licensed. For a list of other available modules and the Universal Modules set, visi the linked website above.

System requirements are standard as for any multi-tracker; This version (2.0) needs release 4.0 or later of either PPC or x86 BeOS to run.

Two new modules use the new MidiKit and thus need R5. The main program and most of the modules should work under any such system, but to make the most of MIDI you will need a suitable MIDI interface and other relevant hardware such as aSynth and Keyboard Controller.

Separate versions are available for download both from the TMW website as well as from BeBits.com. These are for the Intel or the Power PC versions of BeOS.

The program occasionally crashes under BeOS Personal Edition when running some of their modules. In this case, you can solve the problemhere.

For the new-kid-on-the-block, TMW delivers some really powerful programming, sequencing and arrangement features. Make sure to get your copy and give it a run!

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