Frequently Asked Questions

The following questions and answers are a summary of the questions we receive every day.  If you have a question which isn't addressed here, please email the question to us at giebler@aol.com.

Before you order:

What software should I order?

Why do I need the disk manager to convert sequences to/from midi files?

I have an Apple MacIntosh (Mac) computer.  Can I use your software?  Can I use it with SoftWindows on my Mac?

What are the shipping costs? When can I expect my order to arrive?

Can I download the software?  Can you email it to me?  Why is there a charge for email?

After you order:

I ordered two packages, but only received one diskette.  Where's the rest of my order?

I can't read my diskettes on my computer using the disk manager.  What's wrong?

I converted a midi file for my keyboard, but it sounds very strange when I play it. What's wrong?

I converted a midi file, but it only shows up on one track on my keyboard and it only plays one sound.  What's wrong?

Why can't I run the MIDI manager (EMM or AMM) in an MS-DOS window in Windows?

How do I return to your main web page?


What software should I order?

If you want to convert sequences to/from standard MIDI files, you will need to order one of our packages.  Order the package which supports your keyboard. If you want to archive your disks or files, but don't need to convert sequences, just order the disk manager for your keyboard.  If you have type 0 standard MIDI files (one track), you should also order MIDISMF to convert the files into type 1 standard MIDI files (separate tracks for each midi channel).  

Why do I need the disk manager if all I want to do is to convert sequences to/from midi files?

Most of the keyboards we support have a proprietary disk format which can't be read properly using MS-DOS or Windows.  Our disk managers are designed specifically for the disk format of your keyboard, enabling you to read/write/format/copy the disks using your computer.  To convert the sequences into standard MIDI files, the files must first be copied from the keyboard's diskette onto the computer's hard disk drive using the disk manager.

I have an Apple MacIntosh (Mac) computer.  Can I use your software?  Can I use it with SoftWindows on my Mac?

Unfortunately, our disk managers will not run on a Mac - even if you use SoftWindows or some other MS-DOS emulator.  The disk managers access the PC's BIOS directly bypassing MS-DOS in order to access the proprietary disk formats.  None of the MS-DOS emulators for the Mac properly emulate the BIOS of the PC preventing access to the proprietary formats. Our MIDI managers access the PC hardware directly, preventing them from working on a Mac.

What are the shipping costs? When can I expect my order to arrive?

Orders are usually processed and shipped within 24 hours of receiving the order.  First class mail can take 1-2 weeks to arrive depending on your location and the time of year.  Express Mail and Fedex shipments usually arrive the day after shipping.  Air mail shipments are impossible to predict, sometimes taking more than a month to arrive. Shipping  (first class mail) is free in the United States.  Add $11.00 to have your order shipped Express Mail (or Fedex) in the United States.  Foreign orders (including Canada and Mexico) should add $6.00 for shipping and handling (air mail).  Express mail (or Fedex) are not available for foreign orders.  Add $10.00 to have your order emailed (be sure to include your email address with your order).

Can I download the software?  Can you email it to me?  Why is there a charge for email?

We are not setup for emailing or electronic delivery of our software at this time.  We can arrange to email your order, but it has to be handled manually.  Our manuals have to be individually copied to your diskette.  The files have to be compressed (zipped) and moved to the PC we use for our email.  Then, an email message has to be created and the compressed file attached.  Finally, the email is uploaded and sent.  All of these steps are performed manually by our office staff.  The $10 we charge for emailing covers most of the labor costs associated with emailing the software.  Eventually, when our online store automates these procedures, the charge for email will be eliminated.


I ordered two packages, but only received one diskette.  Where's the rest of my order?

Usually, two or three packages will fit on one diskette.  Check the label or a directory listing to see if all of the programs are there.  

I can't read my diskettes on my computer using the disk manager.  What's wrong?

Almost every time we hear this question, someone had used the wrong density diskette.  If your keyboard uses double-sided double-density diskettes, you must NOT use high-density (HD) diskettes in your keyboard.  If you already did use a high-density diskette, cover the high-density hole (the small square hole opposite the write-protect tab) to fool your computer into reading the disk as a double-density diskette.  But, you should immediately copy the data to a proper density diskette since double-density data written to a high-density diskette is highly unreliable and will degrade over time.

I converted a midi file for my keyboard, but it sounds very strange when I play it. What's wrong?

Three things could cause this problem.  First, if your midi file was a type 0 standard MIDI file, and your keyboard doesn't support multiple MIDI channels on one track, you must convert the midi file to a type 1 midi file before converting the midi file into your keyboard's format.  Second, if your keyboard uses different program change numbers, you may have to remap the program changes to use the appropriate sounds on each track.  You can use our software to remap the program changes, or you can change them on your keyboard.  Finally, if your keyboard uses different note assignments for the drum notes, you may need to remap the drum notes to match the drum note assignments in your keyboard.  Again, you can use our software to remap the drum notes, or you can use your keyboard.

I converted a midi file, but it only shows up on one track on my keyboard and it only plays one sound.  What's wrong?

If your midi file was a type 0 standard MIDI file, and your keyboard doesn't support multiple MIDI channels on one track, you must convert the midi file to a type 1 midi file before converting the midi file into your keyboard's format. You can use our MIDISMF program to do the conversion, or you may be able to use software you already own since some sequencer software can store files in both formats.

Why can't I run the MIDI manager (EMM or AMM) in an MS-DOS window in Windows?

Windows intercepts all of the MIDI messages preventing our MIDI managers from receiving data from your keyboard.  You must exit Windows completely.  (In Windows95, you must restart in MS-DOS mode).

How do I return to your main web page?

Click on the "Back" button on your web browser or Click Here.


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