Setting up the Crescendo Forte MIDI plugin for Real Player 7

Protect your MIDI files with the 'Crescendo Forte'
MIDI plugin for RealPlayer

Most MIDI authors are aware that by using a standard MIDI plug-in, users are able to retrieve a file from cache, even if the console is hidden and "Save As" is not available. With Crescendo Forte your work is fully protected. RealPlayer creates a temporary Cache that is destroyed when a presentation has been completed.

If you are presenting a selection of MIDI Files for listeners using Crescendo Forte and RealPlayer, you will need an instruction page similar to this that visitors can link to in order to select the correct MIDI Device. This is a one-time setup and can only be done by using a presentation where the MIDI console and Menu is accessible.

Step 1 of Instructions. Check if Crescendo Forte is already installed.

When you perform this test, the results will depend on whether Forte IS installed, and if NOT, what happens will depend on the version of RealPlayer that you have.

Click here to test if Forte is installed.

("I Can't Stop Loving You" a real-time MIDI recording by Les Gorven)

a. If Forte is already installed, RealPlayer will open and the music will start to play as per the illustration shown in Step 2.. Go directly to Step 2.

b. If Forte is not installed and your RealPlayer is G2, a warning window will open with the message:
"Opening: Can'tStop.ram using RealPlay.exe/m/audio/x-pn-realaudio"
There will be two options "Save it to disk" (checked), or "Open".
Click inside the "Open" box and continue. You will then be advised you do not have the required plugin, and the choice now is to accept the update. This is a very short download and RealPlayer will be updated automatically.

c. RealPlayer versions newer than G2 may advise you immediately that you do not have the required plugin, in which case simply accept the update.

d. After RealPlayer has been updated, Close the RealPlayer window and proceed to Step 2.

Step 2. Select the best MIDI driver for Crescendo Forte.

Screen shot: Crescendo Forte Player loaded.

Click Here to set up Crescendo Forte MIDI Device

After the music starts to play, proceed as follows:

Click the STOP button.
Right click anywhere on the green Crescendo console.
Then place the mouse pointer on the top line, 'Crescendo Forte'.
The menu items will appear as below.

Screen shot: Crescendo Forte Menu items.

The center section of the right-hand menu lists all the available MIDI output sources available on your system. This illustration is for my system which has Creative Labs AWE 64 installed. I have selected the preferred device, which is the AWE 64 MIDI Synth [620].

If you have Sound Blaster Live, your listing may include "A: SB Live Midi Synth", which you should choose.

To send MIDI playback to an external synthesizer or sound module, I would select "AWE 64 Midi Out [330]. For SB Live, this would show as "SB Live Midi UART".

For other sound cards, you can start at the top of the list and click on a listed output source. Click the Play button and listen to the quality of the sound. Again, click the Stop button, open the menu and try a different output source. Repeat these steps until you find the driver with the best sound.

IMPORTANT! If Crescendo 'LiveSynth' software synthesizer appears in the list, please bypass this choice as it does not support the Reverb and Chorus controllers. These controllers are programmed by MIDI authors into the individual MIDI file tracks to add realism and a "live" sound to the different instruments.

Now, try a simple presentation with an embedded MIDI file that can not be downloaded. Listen to my original composition titled "Tropic Twilight"

TROPIC TWILIGHT PRESENTATION

You can download this file by visiting my MIDI page.
Les Gorven

This Article by: LES GORVEN, Owner and Webmaster, the MIDI Studio Consortium

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