Meridian 3.0 beta3

On their new and improved webpage, MIDIphonics have released a new version of Meridian, a MIDI sequencer for MSX2 and higher with at least 512kbyte RAM, DOS2 and a MIDI controller such as the Philips Music Module or the Panasonic turboR FS-A1 GT built-in MSX-MIDI.

Meridian can play and edit Standard MIDI Files (*.MID-files). Because of the support of SMF, there is a lot of music available for your MSX computer. Meridian also offers the possibility to create your own MIDI drivers, because of the large variety of MIDI devices. Of course, also a special Meridian fileformat (*.MER) is available.

A lot of MSX users don't have any MIDI equipment but they do have a Moonsound, a soundcard for MSX with a Yamaha OPL4 soundchip on board. This soundcard also holds a complete General MIDI (GM)-bank. Meridian supports the Moonsound. Both the FM part (OPL3) and the wavetable part (OPL4) are integrated.

What's new in the latest version:

• MIDI IN support in OPL4 tone-, program- and drum editors. Note on with velocity, Note off, Sustain pedal, Pitch bending, Program change and Pan controller are supported
• Frequency calculation for FM and PCM have been improved
• New OPL4 soundbank for GM
• A lot of bugfixing

So, finally it is really possible to control the OPL4 as a true MIDI device! One should check the OPL4 program editor and see for yourself! The OPL4 can produce incredible fat sounds, combining FM and PCM tones. On bank 2, MIDIphonics have already put 10 programs with very cool results. If you want to have some more astonishing sounds, just create your own. It's easy! The new OPL4 soundbank is also very impressive. Previous soundbanks had false notes, this one is completely 'on tune'.

And what's best, both Meridian 3.0 beta3 and the new OPL4 soundbank for GM are free for download from the MRC Downloads database. Get them now! By the way, we already added the new OPL4 soundbank for GM to the Meridian 3.0 beta3 download package. The soundbank stays available seperately, of course.

Relevant link: The official Meridian for MIDI and OPL4 page