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| PC and Keyboard Packages |  |
Virtual Fingers for the PC accesses MIDI devices using Microsoft's mmsystem protocol. Manufacturers of sound cards, MIDI interface devices, and keyboards that plug directly into the PC provide device drivers for this method. Once the drivers are installed, these devices can be selected from the MIDI Input/Output device lists within Virtual Fingers.
PCs
Any personal computer (PC) can be used with Virutal Fingers if it can run Windows 98, NT, 2000, or XP. Both desktops and laptops can be used.
Keyboards
The following keyboards have been tested with the Virtual Fingers software.
Keyboard Product Available At: Casio CTK 571 www.casio.com Casio CTK 573 www.casio.com Casio LK 50 www.casio.com Yamaha PSR 225 GM www.yamaha.com
For example, the digital keyboard needs to have three features (local midi off, touch sensitivity, and a foot pedal jack) to provide full functionality of Virtual Fingers. The local midi off feature allows the keyboard to send tap notes to Virtual Fingers without playing (sounding) the tap notes. The touch sensitivity is needed to allow the dynamics of the song to be controlled by how hard the keys are pressed. The foot pedal allows cords at the end of the beat to be sustained.
If you use a keyboard other than those listed above, it must have the following features to work with Virtual Fingers software.
- Synthesizer with speakers-allows sound to come directly from keyboard.
- Local MIDI off function-allows the keyboard to send tap notes to Virtual Fingers without sounding the notes tapped.
- Touch sensitivity-allows volume of song to be controlled by how hard keys are pressed.
- MIDI or serial input port-attaches interface to keyboard
- Sustained pedal and sustained pedal jack-allows chords at the end of the beat to be sustained
Interfaces
There are three different types of interfaces that can be used with PCs and MIDI keyboards: USB to MIDI, Parallel to MIDI, and Serial to MIDI.
The following keyboards have been tested with the Virtual Fingers software.
| USB Port to MIDI | ||
| If your computer has a USB port, you can use either of these products. |
| Interface | MIDI cables | Products available at: |
| Roland ED UM-1 | No additional cables needed | www.edirol.com |
| MIDIMAN Midisport 1x1 | Two standard MIDI cables | www.midiman.com |
| Parallel Port to MIDI | ||
| If your computer has a parallel port, you can use this product. |
| Interface | MIDI cables | Products available at: |
| MIDIMAN Portman PC/P | Two standard MIDI cables | www.midiman.com |
| Serial Port to MIDI | ||
| If your computer has a serial port, you can use this product. |
| Interface | MIDI cables | Products available at: |
| MIDIMAN Portman PC/S | Two standard MIDI cables | www.midiman.com |
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Adaptor
One adaptor is needed, and can be purchased through MechaMusic.com. When you place your order, indicate what hardware you will be using and the adaptor will be sent with your software.
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