Crustaceans Chirp Chirp Challenge

[08:28] <kline> i dont know what the standard target for "is this embedded system useful" is but id like to propose a midi synth:
[08:28] <kline> * implement serial comms
[08:28] <kline> * needs timers/interrupts
[08:28] <kline> * includes PWM/etc peripherals for IO
[08:29] <kline> * actually fails if you fuck up the hard realtime aspects
[08:29] <kline> * you get a cool toy at the end
[08:29] <kline> bonus: you can scale to things like polyphony

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI_controller
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_MIDI
• The Complete MIDI 1.0 Detailed Specification - Freq Sound (PDF)
• https://midi.org/specs

ChatGPT says...

User

what is the best MIDI software for Debian and KDE Plasma?

ChatGPT

Choosing the "best" MIDI software can depend heavily on what you're looking for in terms of features, ease of use, and compatibility with your hardware and other software. However, for Debian and KDE Plasma users, several options stand out for their robustness, community support, and integration capabilities. Here are a few options that are highly regarded within the Linux music production community:

1. LMMS (Linux MultiMedia Studio): LMMS is a free, open-source digital audio workstation (DAW) that offers a variety of features for music production, including MIDI support. It's user-friendly and provides a wealth of synthesizers, samplers, and plugins. It's compatible with KDE Plasma as it uses Qt for its GUI framework.
2. Ardour: Ardour is a professional-grade DAW that is highly respected in the audio production community. It offers comprehensive support for MIDI recording, editing, and playback. It's known for its flexibility and can be used for both audio and MIDI projects. Ardour runs well on KDE Plasma and integrates smoothly with Jack Audio Connection Kit for advanced audio routing.
3. Qtractor: Qtractor is an audio/MIDI multi-track sequencer designed specifically for Linux. It's built using the Qt framework, making it a good fit for KDE Plasma. Qtractor supports a wide range of audio and MIDI file formats and plugins, making it a versatile choice for MIDI composition and editing.
4. Rosegarden: Rosegarden is another excellent MIDI sequencer and score editor for Linux that is compatible with KDE Plasma. It offers a rich set of features for composing, editing, and arranging MIDI music with a focus on notation and score editing.
5. Muse: Muse is a MIDI/Audio sequencer with recording and editing capabilities. It's designed to be a complete solution for music production on Linux and works well with KDE Plasma. Muse supports standard MIDI files, DSSI, LADSPA, LV2 plugins, and more.

Each of these software options has its strengths and might cater to different aspects of MIDI music production. LMMS and Ardour are perhaps the most comprehensive for those looking to do both MIDI and audio production, while Qtractor, Rosegarden, and Muse offer powerful MIDI sequencing and editing features that might be more appealing to those focusing on MIDI.

I recommend trying out a few of these options to see which one aligns best with your workflow and needs. All are available in the Debian repositories, making installation straightforward on a Debian-based system with KDE Plasma.