Microsoft Corp went to Brian Eno last year for the start-up sound to Windows95, but yesterday it went the full distance and licensed the complete soundset from Roland Corp’s Sound Canvas sound module, for inclusion in the Microsoft Network, DirectX application programming interfaces and Internet Explorer. Sound Canvas sound modules have been widely used in the music industry since their introduction in 1991. The sounds, which include a complete set of sampled musical instruments, noises and Roland’s proprietary GS extensions to the MIDI Musical Instrument Digital Interface, will work with the Microsoft Synthesizer, software which the Redmond company promises is to be launched shortly. The combination of the Roland sounds along with Microsoft’s soon to be released Active Music Control and Direct Music application programming interfaces will allow content developers to use General MIDI to control and customize downloadable sound samples on Internet Explorer and Windows operating systems. Microsoft says the deal with LosAngeles, California-based Roland is part of a planned interactive music system that consists of intelligent musical accompaniment and software synthesis, set to appear in numerous Microsoft Internet and desktop products over the coming few months.
