>I am using Csound to produce my own music on a shoestring budget.  However,
>I've spent a little time in larger studios, read about it constantly, and
>talk to many people about pro techniques.  I believe that if Csound is to
>be of any significant use to studio musicians, it needs to support GM
>format.
>I myself get no thrill from downloading GM files for "I will survive" and
>hearing them cheesily rendered by some lame MIDI card or module.

My problem with GM is not just the cheesey sound of most(all) GM modules,it's
the all pervading attitude that the sounds supported by it are all a
musician needs or wants.The thing that attracted me to Csound was it's
great flexibility
(and low,low introductory price!)If,as an active "studio" musician,I'd
wanted to use GM I could have bought any number of affordable modules.My
point is that
any kind of GM compatibility in Csound is missing the point
completely.Great as it is Csound is not the ideal choice for producing
"normal" music.That's one of it's biggest assets.
_________________________

Martin Shellard
Music Department
Goldsmiths college
University of London

	I said it before and I will again.  It is my intention and hope
that anyone will be able to write an orchestra with complete GM
compatibility.  Even down to patch changes and such.  This must *not*
impede other uses of MIDI controlled csound in any way, which I do not
believe it has to.  Then someone can write a standard GM orchestra, and
everyone who wants to use it can, and everyone who thinks GM is a
capitalistic plague can totally ignore it.

Mike Berry
mikeb@mills.edu
http://www.mills.edu/PEOPLE/gr.pages/mikeb.public.html/mikeb.homepage.html