40 lines
2.3 KiB
Markdown
40 lines
2.3 KiB
Markdown
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# RtMidi
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A set of C++ classes that provide a common API for realtime MIDI input/output across Linux (ALSA & JACK), Macintosh OS X (CoreMIDI & JACK) and Windows (Multimedia).
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By Gary P. Scavone, 2003-2021.
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This distribution of RtMidi contains the following:
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- `doc`: RtMidi documentation (also online at http://www.music.mcgill.ca/~gary/rtmidi/)
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- `tests`: example RtMidi programs
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On Unix systems, type `./configure` in the top level directory, then `make` in the `tests/` directory to compile the test programs. In Windows, open the Visual C++ workspace file located in the `tests/` directory.
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If you checked out the code from git, please run `./autogen.sh` before `./configure`.
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## Overview
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RtMidi is a set of C++ classes (`RtMidiIn`, `RtMidiOut`, and API specific classes) that provide a common API (Application Programming Interface) for realtime MIDI input/output across Linux (ALSA, JACK), Macintosh OS X (CoreMIDI, JACK), and Windows (Multimedia Library) operating systems. RtMidi significantly simplifies the process of interacting with computer MIDI hardware and software. It was designed with the following goals:
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- object oriented C++ design
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- simple, common API across all supported platforms
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- only one header and one source file for easy inclusion in programming projects
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- MIDI device enumeration
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MIDI input and output functionality are separated into two classes, `RtMidiIn` and `RtMidiOut`. Each class instance supports only a single MIDI connection. RtMidi does not provide timing functionality (i.e., output messages are sent immediately). Input messages are timestamped with delta times in seconds (via a `double` floating point type). MIDI data is passed to the user as raw bytes using an `std::vector<unsigned char>`.
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## Windows
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In some cases, for example to use RtMidi with GS Synth, it may be necessary for your program to call `CoInitializeEx` and `CoUninitialize` on entry to and exit from the thread that uses RtMidi.
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## Further reading
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For complete documentation on RtMidi, see the `doc` directory of the distribution or surf to http://www.music.mcgill.ca/~gary/rtmidi/.
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## Legal and ethical
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The RtMidi license is similar to the MIT License, with the added *feature* that modifications be sent to the developer. Please see [LICENSE](LICENSE).
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