mook@pnet02.cts.com (Ralph Stempel) (09/27/88)
I have been using the new version of Texture for the last few weeks. Here
is a brief review:
This is an excellent MIDI sequencer. It is not the most feature-laden
sequencer I've seen, but it does all the normal things very well, and is
extremely easy to learn.
The new version of Texture is released (and presumeably ported) by Sound
Quest. This version does not need (or even want) the expensive IBM-type MIDI
interface.
Timing is rock solid. The default internal resolution is 120 parts per
quarter-note. I have multi-tasked the sequencer (while playing a song) with
all sorts of other programs and general monkeying around. The ONLY thing I've
found so far that makes the clock glitch was color cycling in DPaint.
Texture is a familiar MS-DOS sequencer. This version seems identical,
except that mouse control has been added in addition to the very simple
keystroke commands. I think the program could be easily used with either the
mouse or keyboard missing.
Texture is of the drum machine school of song building. You make a bunch of
sections, and then very simply arrange them into a song. You have 24 tracks,
and 99 sections. It is also possible to use it like a tape recorder, just
making the song one long section. The maximum length of a section works out to
a little over 4 and 1/2 minutes at 120 Beats Per Minute. This should be long
enough for most songs, although it would be nice not to have any arbitrary
limit.
The main commands are all listed on the screen at all times. When entering
information, the program prompts you for anything that's not completely
obvious. The only thing most people will probably need the manual for is the
key-word copy protection.
Texture is $150 retail, and uses any standard Amiga MIDI interface. I have
used all the other Amiga sequencers other than Dynamic Studio, and this one is
the clear winner in my opinion.
-Ralph Stempel
"I have very little connection to anything."
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