Have a question? Need help?

Below are some tips, answers to questions frequently asked, and links to other pages that also provide information (with thanks to Dave Clackett and Kevin Earley at Hands On UK).

If you still have questions or comments, send your Feedback to tech support.

Multimedia music

DON'T PANIC! Help is here!

The Internet, Midi, Sequencing, and computers in general can all be confusing, and we are asked many questions about all of this high-tech equipment connected with "electric string". Here are some of the most common questions and answers about.....

For more details info about decompressing and using our files on PC, Macintosh or Atari, see our File Info page.

If you want to know what all the midi controller codes do (if you intend to edit the files yourself , maybe for use on non-GeneralMidi equipment) then visit our Technical Page.

For help with using our order page, please visit our Order Help page.

Questions about Files.

Q: I try to submit an order, but I get an error message from my Web Browser. What's the problem?

A: You may be using an older browser, or one which doesn't understand how a "Form submission" works. Our site is designed to work with Netscape 4.0 or Internet Explorer 4.0 (or newer).

Q: I submit the form, but I receive an HTML page which says that I have missed out some fields, what does this mean?

A: Our Secure Order Form checks that you have given us enough information to deal with your order, so you have probably forgotten to enter ALL the details we asked for. The HTML "error page" should tell you which part of the order form was empty - please use your Web Browser's "Back" button to return to the Order Page and complete the missing details.

Q: I have received my order, but I only have a file called something like "HMS19845.ZIP" - where are the midi files which I ordered?

A: In order to send your order over the internet email system, we must compress it into one single file using a compression program. We use "WinZip 7.0" which is the industry standard compression software for PC. "Zip" files can be uncompressed by PKZip (a DOS compression program), or WinZip. you can get WinZip by following the link on our NetLinks page.

Q: I have a Macintosh computer - how can I use Zip files?

A: If you have Netscape, Interet Explorer, or any of the Aladdin "Stuffit" products, you should already have "Stuffit Expander" installed on your Mac - this program can un-compress PC Zip files, no problem. If your Sequencing software still can't "see" the midi files when you try to import them, you may need to set the "File Type" and "Creatior" information. If you don't know how to do this, email us at

<techsupport@handsonus.com>

and we can supply a free utility to do it for you. We send Zip files to all our customers for speed and convenience, not because we don't like Macs!

Q: What is a "Type 1" midi file, and what is a "Type 0"?

A: "Type 1" midi files contain many tracks - usually each track is used for a separate instrument on its own midi channel (there are 16 midi channels per "Midi Port"). A "Type 0" midi file still contains all the same information, but all the channels are on one Track. Most modern computer sequencers give you the option to split these on to individual tracks when you import the file.

Q: What is a "Midi Port"?

A: In order to send and receive MIDI data, your hardware midi file player or computer sequencing software will need to have MIDI IN and OUT sockets. Hardware file players come with them already built-in, but Computers need a "Midi Interface" which can have 1, 2, 4, 8 or even 15 pairs of IN and OUT sockets, each of these can handle up to 16 channels of midi data.

Questions about Payment.

Q: How can I pay?

A: We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards.

Q: Your prices are in U.S. $ Dollars, how much will you charge me in my own currency?

A: Our prices are in Dollars because this is the most widely used currency in the world, and most people can easily convert between this and their own country's currency. When will bill your credid card, your credit card company will automatically convert the price to your own currency.

Q: How long will it take for me to receive my order?

A: If your order only contains items which can be sent electronically (i.e. via email) then you will normally receive it within 1 working day. If you submit an order after we close for the week, it will be sent first thing on Monday morning. but remember that our offices around the world are in different time zones!

Questions about Using Hands On files.

Q: Where can I use the files which I have purchased?

A: You can use them at home, for playing live in a band, or other _personal_ use. You cannot use our full version files as music for your web site, but we don't mind if you use the Demo files providing that you credit us on your site. You may want to contact <handsonus@handsonus.com> for a Link Exchange, as this can help both you and us to increase our web presence. If in doubt - ASK US!

We won't bite!