Tired to discuss GOBLANDRES and download "megapacks"?
I have another theme and corresponding 300kB download (do you still remember the meaning of the word "kilobyte" in relation to powerful software? )
 
Some time ago wst3 (not a typo... I mean Bill) has asked why there is no binding to some (relatively) modern language for processing MIDI in Sonar? Really, why not? And so...
"AZ Lua" MFX plug-in for Sonar, the first public alpha version is there: http://www.azslow.com/index.php/topic,286.0.html
 
Nothing really new (VST Lua projects exists), nothing really fancy (the interface is from XX century), but you can do any type of MIDI mapping (think of DrumMap as MFX with all MIDI messages support, "Replace..." from "Process" Sonar menu, "Transpose"/"Filter" plug-ins, split keyboard into X zones by channel and more), non destructive and for live input (where CAL and some Sonar plug-ins can not help). All that with the first alpha version (more possibilities, like dynamic articulation key switching as MFX, are in development).
 
And now why I need some help. I have opened Lua web site for the first time ~2 weeks ago (after wst3 post). And I had to create easy to use Lua binding. I can imagine something is implemented not is "split" of Lua, so I am asking for comments from experts.
 
Other can simply write the first "Hello World!" program (if they have never programmed before), without leaving Sonar and filling the disk with modern "Software Development Kits". Also you can learn how to program FX processors yourself, without the risk of crashing your DAW (AZ Lua will not allow you...) and immediate effect
 
Since the only MIDI FX format Sonar support till now is DX, and Sonar is lonely there, if someone wants new MIDI FXes, there is no other way then DIY. And that is easy from now on.

Thanks, azslow3. Will try it out, to see if even I can do something cool with MIDI fx
All the best.

Very nice!
 
One use for sysex: convert normal bank select into a synth-specific (e.g. Korg M1) sysex. Does the reverse make sense? I.e. when live sysex comes from the synth can it be modified for recording or only for echoing?
More generally, does MFX support modifying live data for recording? Or must one "bounce" or "process" to record the data? Does MFX or AZ Lua know the difference between "bounce" or "process" and "playback"?
Is using "ticks" enough for tempo-based effects? I.e. does the lua have to find out how many ticks per quarter note is configured in the project?
Is 'port' really useless? Should it represent the port of origin or the port of destination?
 
I looked around a little for the MFX SDK to try to answer some of these myself, but was unsuccessful.
 
Bill B.

bvideo
One use for sysex: convert normal bank select into a synth-specific (e.g. Korg M1) sysex. Does the reverse make sense? I.e. when live sysex comes from the synth can it be modified for recording or only for echoing?

I have not dig into SysEx related part yet..
 

More generally, does MFX support modifying live data for recording? Or must one "bounce" or "process" to record the data? Does MFX or AZ Lua know the difference between "bounce" or "process" and "playback"?

As with Audio, the information is always recorded "as is". MIDI "bounce" is not bouncing Track MFXes, so there are "live", "process" and "playback". It is possible to know which mode is in use (current version does not distinguish between "process" and "playback")
 

Is using "ticks" enough for tempo-based effects? I.e. does the lua have to find out how many ticks per quarter note is configured in the project?

Original API provides the way to convert Ticks into MBT. In other words there is access to the Tempo Map. But again, that is not yet exposed in AZ Lua.
 

Is 'port' really useless? Should it represent the port of origin or the port of destination?

I am not sure either that can be used in MFX. There is only one "output" (the track MIDI output). There can be several "inputs" (in omni mode only), but I have not tested either the port set differently then.
 

I looked around a little for the MFX SDK to try to answer some of these myself, but was unsuccessful.

Yes, it is hard to find... Unfortunately I am not sure I can redistribute it on my site.