Pinnacle Research, Inc.
4725 E. Sunrise Dr. #435
Tucson, AZ 85718
(602)529-1135 (Voice)
(602)299-9133 (FAX)
info@pri.com    (NeXT Mail)

Presto ± MIDI Sequencing for NeXT Computers

Presto is a revolutionary music application that seamlessly integrates MIDI sequencing and DSP (Digital Signal Processing) music synthesis.  Paired with a MIDI interface, Presto allows NeXT users to record and play music using MIDI compatible keyboards and sound generators.  Users without MIDI equipment or those wishing to expand their sound generation capabilities can use the NeXT computers DSP chip to generate CD quality sound output.  Presto provides a library of  DSP synthesis descriptions called "voicings".  These voicings include: piano, electric bass, strings, voice, woodwinds, and percussion instruments.  Existing sounds can be modified to create new, custom sounds.

Presto's intuitive graphical interface takes full advantage of the NeXTstep environment.  Drag-and-drop measure editing allows the user to move, copy, insert, merge or replace groups of measures.  Note and MIDI controller editing can be performed either graphically or with the event-list editor.  Transforms such as Quantize, Transpose, Velocity Adjust and TimeShift are provided, including a randomize option which can be used to "humanize" sequenced passages.  Presto's multi-document support allows you to simultaneously edit multiple files and effortlessly transfer data between them.  

"Presto is the first product on any platform to bring the full power of DSP synthesis to the world of sequencing." ± Dr. David Jaffe, Visiting Lecturer, Princeton University Music Department.

"Musicians wishes have finally come true with the release of the first MIDI sequencing software for the NeXT.  [Presto] combines expected features ... with innovations made possible by the NeXT environment." ± Lee Sherman, Contributing Editor, NeXTWORLD Magazine.

A listing of Presto's features is included with this letter.  However, the best way to get a feel for what Presto can do is to use the program.  A demo version is available from the NeXT FTP archives: cs.orst.edu and nova.cc.purdue.edu.  You can also receive a demo copy of Presto via electronic mail (NeXT Mail format) by sending a request to  info@pri.com or on floppy disk by sending $5.00 US (refundable on purchase) to Pinnacle Research, Inc. at the enclosed address.

Thank you for your interest in Presto! 

Sincerely ±

Ralph Zazula                          		Kevin Brain
President                            		Vice President
Pinnacle Research, Inc.              		Pinnacle Research, Inc.
zazula@pri.com (NeXT Mail)           	ksbrain@pri.com (NeXT Mail) 

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Presto Features (v0.9.4b):

General Features
· Unlimited number of Parts (Tracks)
· Unlimited number of Notes and MIDI Events
· 480 clicks (pulses)/quarter-note resolution
· DSP synthesis support with over 50 default voicings
· User loadable DSP synthesis voicings
* User loadable Transform modules
· Real-time editing of most parameters

Interface
· Open multiple documents simultaneously
· Edit any document during playback
· Inspector panels for Part, Note and Controller parameters
· On-Line help facility
· Controls include: Play/Pause/Stop/Record/Rewind, Skip
forward/backwards, Tempo and loop-range

Editing
· Cut/Copy/Paste Parts within or between documents
· Drag-and-drop measures with insert, merge, and replace
· Piano-roll style editing of notes
· Graphical editing of MIDI controller information
· Event-list editing of notes and controller events
· Keyboard and Mouse commands for commonly used editing functions
· Real-Time editing during playback allows you to hear changes as you make them

Transforms
* Dynamic-loading of Transform modules
* Souce-code included for the standard Transforms: Transpose, Quantize, Velocity adjust, Time Shift, Crescendo/Decrescendo

Performance
· Start a performance from any point
· Loop over any range
· Adjust tempo in real-time
· Mute any track
· Endlessly loop any track
· Change MIDI Channel for any track during playback

Recording
· Record on all 16 MIDI channels simultaneously
· Loop recording, allowing you to record a difficult passage layer by layer
· Input quantization

MIDI
· MIDI Thru with rechannelize
· MIDI Filtering of Controller information
· MIDI RealTime Clock and Sys-Start/Stop can be transmitted

DSP Synthesis
· 16 independent DSP synthesis Instruments
· Support for all of the standard MusicKit SynthPatches
· User loadable SynthPatch subclasses
· Default library of over 50 SynthPatch voicings
· User loadable DSP synthesis voicings

Supported File Formats
· Standard MIDI File
· NeXT Score file
· NeXT Playscore file (optimized Score file format)

*new in version 0.9.4b
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Presto is a trademark of Pinnacle Research, Inc.  NeXT and NeXTSTEP are trademarks of NeXT Computer, Inc.  All other trademarks mentioned belong to their respective owners.