Copyright © Hermann Seib, 1995-2004
This document describes GMKbd, the General MIDI Keyboard. GMKbd is a feature-rich General MIDI-compatible keyboard simulator for MS-Windows V3.1, 3.11, Windows 95, 98, ME, NT,2000, or XP. It can be used as a stand-alone program to play music on attached MIDI devices, or, with appropriate MIDI drivers, it can be used to send MIDI messages to other applications, such as sequencers.
Special thanks go to the following persons/companies:
For problem descriptions, suggestions, etc., I can be reached on the Internet (office@hermannseib.com). I try to keep response times short, but expect 1 or 2 days to pass before I can answer your mail.
To use GMKbd, you need Windows V3.1 or later. MIDI drivers are not necessary to start the program, but without them, you can use only the PC speaker to produce some measly bleeps.
Copy the contents of the .ZIP file into the target directory. The .ZIP file should contain the following files:
| GMKBD.EXE | the executable |
| KBDCLOCK.DLL | support DLL |
| GMKBD.HLP | the help file for the application |
| GMKBD.HTM | this documentation |
| GMKBDDRV.DRV | the Windows 3.1 MIDI driver for GMKbd; see below |
| OEMSETUP.INF | Control Panel installation information for the MIDI driver |
| HISTORY | detailed history of GMKbd |
| READ.ME | last minute changes |
Then, add GMKbd to one of your Program Manager's groups under Windows 3.1. If you are using Windows 95 or later, create a link to GMKbd.exe.
GMKbd comes with its own MIDI In device driver. This driver can be very useful if you want to send output from GMKbd into another program, such as a MIDI sequencer.
Cakewalk Professional for Windows V3.01 or later comes with its own MIDI device driver for their TTS Virtual Piano; if you have already installed that, you can use it with GMKbd, too.
Windows 3.1: To install the GMKbd MIDI driver, open the Windows Control Panel. Select Drivers / Add / Unlisted, then enter the path where you installed GMKbd. The appearing driver list should now contain an entry called GM Keyboard MIDI IN. Press OK, restart Windows, and the driver is installed.
Windows 95: To install the GMKbd MIDI driver, open the Windows Control Panel. Select Add New Hardware and follow the Wizard prompts. When asked Do you want Windows to search for new hardware?, select No. Then, when asked, select Sound, Video, and Game Controllers. On the next dialog, click the Have Disk button. Use the Browse button to direct Windows to the OEMSETUP.INF file in GMKbd's directory. Select this and press OK. The next dialog will allow you to select GMKbd's driver, GM Keyboard MIDI IN. Press OK to install the driver. After having restarted Windows, the driver is available.
Attention: this driver only works in the DOS-based versions of Windows (3.1x, 95, 98, ME). It does not work in the NT-based versions (NT, 2000, XP), since these use a totally different driver model! For these, I can recommend MidiYoke, which fits the bill quite nicely.
Just double-click on the GMKbd icon to start it.
GMKbd contains an extensive on-line help; if you need help at any time, just press F1 to invoke the help system.
The demo version is nearly identical to the registered version, with the following differences:
1. The demo version is a 16-bit application only; the registered version is available in 16-bit or 32-bit modes.
2. The demo version uses a simpler scheme for MIDI Input and Arpeggiator Clock processing. The registered version has a far better timing behavior, as incoming MIDI messages are routed through as fast as possible, using interrupt processing. This limits professional use only, since it effectively prohibits reliable real-time operation. For the casual user, it is no severe limitation - you'll only notice it if you switch to another window, activate a configuration dialog, or perform some calculation-intensive tasks in another application, all while hammering on your MIDI keyboard or while playing arpeggiator sequences.
3. The demo version's usage of attached joysticks is limited to one joystick with a maximum of 3 axes and 4 buttons, while the registered version handles a maximum of two joysticks with up to 6 axes, point-of-view hat, and up to 32 buttons each (in the 32-bit version - the 16-bit version is limited to 4 buttons and no POV hat due to 16-bit Windows limitations). Again, this is no severe limitation and allows quite convenient operation even in the demo version.
4. The "Unregistered Copy" dialog does't appear in the registered version. Oh well, it goes away after 12 seconds, which isn't too much to bear, I think...
To get the registered version, print and fill the Order Form from the on-line help and send it to the following address:
Hermann Seib
Davidg. 39/12
A-1100 Vienna
Austria / Europe
To contact me electronically, please use one of the following:
http://www.hermannseib.com
e-mail: office@hermannseib.com
Oh, yes... should the version you're using be a registered version, the file GMKBD.EXE is severely corrupted. In this case, please either reinstall your copy of the program, or contact me under the above address to get an updated version.
Hermann Seib disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, and will not be liable for any damages resulting from the use of this software, including loss of data. Use this software at your own risk.
GMKbd is copyrighted © 1995-2004 by Hermann Seib.