cyrus@symplex.UUCP (cyrus) (07/09/85)
> > I spent a few hours yesterday at a local computer music shop. I was > looking around to see what's available for 1 or 2K. My interests are > in a synthesizer that I can easily program from an IBM PC (via MIDI). > .... > Ok, let's hear some comments comparing my choices with your own! > > Oh, the only digital (sampling) synthesizer I saw was the Mirage. It > looked nice, but I think I would add it on later, rather than get one > as a first synthesizer. Has anyone seen any others? I have an Alpha Syntauri digital synth that runs on the Apple II. It uses the Mountain Computer music system to generate 16 separate voices. Each voice has it's own digital waveform, pitch, and volume control. The keyboard is full size with velocity sensing. The software allows the creation of instruments using two voices (waves) per note (one called a percussion wave) with separate control of envelope parameters for each wave. When I first purchased the system in June, 1981 it was rough and seriously lacking in "live" performance features. The software has come a long way since then with the most innovative and interesting offerings coming from 3rd party folks. Now they have 16 track record capability, split keyboard (up to 9 different instruments at once), MIDI outputs, composer assistants to generate scores, A/D input to create real waveforms, etc. I haven't purchased all of this stuff, but what I've seen is solid. Does this sound too good to be true...? Here's your lead balloon :-). The keyboard (with software) alone was $1695 with another $500 for the music system and another $2K for the computer (you want 2 disks, etc). Some may say this is a good deal for what you get. I say only if you already own the Apple! The software is usually less than $200, a good deal for what you get. Now for the real downer... I can feel myself shudder just at the thought of it... All of this runs on top of Apple DOS. There, I said it and I didn't turn green. I, being of a UNIX mind, cannot abide by this DOS. If I look at the system as another one of my musical instruments I'm fine. As soon as I begin to look at it as a development tool I get upset. If you don't mind sacrificing your first born to the dreaded Apple DOS monster then you certainly won't mind the 4 minute startup time required to load all of the files that the system uses. For those interested here is my latest info on addresses: Syntauri Corp. 1670 S. Amphlett Blvd. Suite #116 San Mateo, CA 94402 (415)574-3335 These guys sell their own and 3rd party stuff to support the synthesizer: Mimetics Corp. PO BOX 60238 STA A Palo Alto, CA 94306 (408)741-0117 If you live on the S.F. peninsula (like I *sigh* used to) go see: Computers & Music 1989 Junipero Serra Daly City, CA 94014 (415)994-2909 If you decide to check this beast out tell em that a syntauri owner turned you on to it. I won't get a kick-back, but they love referrals! "So this is the -Cyrus Azar (313) 995-1555 || ihnp4!umich!symplex!cyrus dining room?!" Symplex Communication Corporation "one, two, three, faahh!" 5 Research Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48103