Midi Setup

Most soundcards have a Yamaha FM synthesizer builtin, as do all Toshiba laptops that have a typical builtin soundblaster chipset.

I cannot believe how simple this actually is too do whilst I ran without midi on *nix for so many years.

An unfortunate side affect of being forced too support that proprietry software in the workplace rather then concentrating on & devouring the reams of Linux documentation available on the net.

Make certain you have opl3 compiled into your kernel or recompile your kernel with it in as a module.

A simple way too check this is to type the following:

uname -r;locate opl3.o

You should get output similar too this:

2.4.25
/lib/modules/2.4.25/kernel/drivers/sound/opl3.o

Actual location should include your currently running kernel & may vary in it's location within /lib/modules according to the version.

If you have recompiled your kernel and cannot find the opl3 module still via locate try running updatedb before using locate

Using your favourite text editor edit /etc/modules as a suitably privledged user.

Insert the following line & save the file before your next reboot, especially if you've recompiled the kernel modules in order too include opl3 on the next reboot.

Next time your machine starts up you will have a midi device loaded ready for use.

If you wish too test the opl3 module before adding it too your /etc/modules or simply wish too use it without a reboot, after adding it too /etc/modules type the following in a privledged shell

modprobe opl3 io=0x388

If you are fortunate enough too use debian you can install a midiplayer & test your synthesizer with the following command:

apt-get install playmidi;playmidi /usr/share/doc/playmidi/examples/bohemian.mid.gz

Finally too make your midi sequencer work for any user in the audio group type

chmod ug+rw /dev/sequencer

Check that the permissions & ownership are correct with ls -al /dev/sequencer which should look like this:

crw-rw---- 1 root audio 14, 1 Jun 8 01:44 /dev/sequencer

Then addgroup user audio for all the users you wish to have the privledge too play midi files through your sequencer.

Remember to log the user out after adding them too the group in order for them too be acknowledged as having access too the device.