rgoodman@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu (Ron Carl Goodman) (01/23/87)
[]
I am surprised that no one has mentioned the Atari ST computer on this
network yet. Considering it is the only computer (other than the crummy
Yamaha music computer) that has a built in MIDI interface, a fast 68000
microprocessor (at a higher clock speed than a Mac) and at a price that
makes a Mac or an Amiga seem absurd. The 520ST I purchased with monitor
and disk drive and 1/2 Megabyte of memory cost $549. Considering this
computer is better than all the others... There is even a new emulator
to let an ST run Mac software. Although I'm not sure, I believe it runs
the Mac software faster. I have mine hooked up to a Mirage synthesizer
and find the combo to be dreamy. I hooked up the two and was immediately
able to write my own MIDI software in BASIC and then in C. I am now
writing a Visual Editing System for the two, and I don't think I can envision
a better programming environment - lot's of memory, high speed, super easy
access to MIDI. Below is an interesting excerpt from the comp.sys.atari.st
board about a new product from a company all synth players should be familiar
with when adding a computer on.
-------------
Permission to reprint or excerpt is granted only if the following lines
appear at the top of the article:
ANTIC PUBLISHING INC., COPYRIGHT 1987.
REPRINTED BY PERMISSION.
Atari at The Winter 1987 CES
Software and Wrap-up, Part 1.
. . . .
12/Jan/1987
Hybrid Arts Inc., the software and hardware with a reputation for putting
out the best MIDI software in the industry, showed one of the most exciting new
products in the Atari world: The ADAP Soundrack. ADAP stands for Analog to
Digital Processor. It's a $2000 hardware plus software system, built in
conjunction with Nilford Laboratories, Inc., for the Atari ST, designed to
replace equipment costing over thirty times as much. The basis of the ADAP is a
racey black rack mount box with sound input and output lines, plus an interface
box which plugs into the cartridge port of a one- (or more) megabyte machine.
What does it do? Digital sampling. And it does it well.
Digital sampling is a process where sound is converted into digital
patterns which a computer can store, manipulate, and play back at will. Compact
discs have been using this technology for years now. Sound enters the ADAP box
from virtually any sound source (such as a compact disc player) and is converted
into digital signals in the ST's memory. Once the sound is in the ST, it appears
as a digital waveform in a window in the center of the screen.
You can examine the waveform by zooming in or out on either the X or Y
axis, or even both. You can scroll along the waveform to see its entirety, or
even sample more than one sound and switch between them.
Hybrid Arts claims the system can sample at a rate of 44.1 Khz with 16 bits
of resolution -- that's compact disc quality! It even samples in stereo. Once
a sample is made, it can be played back at the push of a button. The sound is
phenomenal. But ADAP doesn't just let you record samples. You can also edit
them. You can cut, copy, and paste portions of a sample. You can even do
mixing, looping, or modify the actual waveform freehand.
The ADAP system replaces some super-sophisticated musical sampling
equipment by allowing you to "play" the samples from your MIDI keyboard,
polyphonically, with up to eight voices going simultaneously.
- On a one-megabyte machine, allows 80 seconds of sampling at full 16-bit
linear resolution at 10 Khz. Allows 20 seconds at 44.1 Khz.
- Fully MIDI compatible
- Polyphonic
- Storage of up to 64 multi-samples in memory for instant playback.
- Real-time digital effects processing (delay, echo, reverb, etc.)
- Real-time oscilloscope
- Direct from compact disc, digital to digital sampling.
- Multi-sample keyboard splits.
- Compatible with the new MIDI digital sample dump data standard. Will
work with data from other MIDI sampling devices.
- 19" black rack-mount case.
- Suggested retail price is $1,995.
When asked why they chose the Atari ST as the host sytem, Frank Foster,
president of Hybrid Arts, replied: "It's not like we actually 'chose' Atari. It
simply couldn't be done on any other machine. Not on an Amiga. Not on a
Macintosh." Now that's a compliment.
. . . .
So be sure not to overlook what is certainly the least expensive and probably
the best option you have available at this time in the way of computers.
Ron Goodman
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rgoodman@cit-vax.arpa _______ _________ _________
rgoodman@cit-vax.bitnet / \#/ \#/
rgoodman@cit-vax.uucp |alifornia |nstitute |echnology
\_______ ___/#\___ of | dillon@CORY.BERKELEY.EDU (Matt Dillon) (01/23/87)
>I am surprised that no one has mentioned the Atari ST computer on this >network yet. I'm not surprised at all. -Matt
czei@osu-cgrg.UUCP (01/26/87)
> ANTIC PUBLISHING INC., COPYRIGHT 1987. > REPRINTED BY PERMISSION. > Hybrid Arts Inc., the software and hardware with a reputation for putting > out the best MIDI software in the industry, showed one of the most exciting new > products in the Atari world: The ADAP Soundrack. ADAP stands for Analog to > Digital Processor. It's a $2000 hardware plus software system, built in > conjunction with Nilford Laboratories, Inc., for the Atari ST, designed to > replace equipment costing over thirty times as much. I happen to know of two companies that are designing 16-bit AD/DA converter systems for the Macintosh. Altough the ADAP system sounds great from the adds, the same thing is also possible using the Macintosh or the Amiga. Let's face it- there are no physical restraints that would restrain anyone from designing a high quality DA/AD system for any of these systems, given enough memory and time. Lets quit arguing about which system is best, and give us all USEFUL, ACCURATE information about the capabilites of ALL machines which might fit the needs of some individuals. (Hype aside, the ADAP post did have a few facts which were useful) -- Michael S. Czeiszperger Sound Synthesis Studios The Ohio State University Columbus, OH 43210 {decvax,ucbvax}!{cbatt,cbosgd}!osu-eddie!{osupyr!artsvax,osu-cgrg}!czei(uucp)