tholland@amy.skidmore.edu (05/02/91)
Announcing BESSIE 1.1 for the NeXT computer !
BESSIE is an interactive teaching and sound editor module on
Frequency Modulation synthesis. A step by step presentation is given
on the history, theory and application of FM synthesis. BESSIE
features real time control of FM parameters and allows the user to
hear all changes to the synthesis parameters immediately. The
program also features an ability to write soundfiles (.snd files) and
score files (.score files). .Snd files are recognized by the
Soundplayer.app that comes with each NeXT computer, while .score
files are written in "scorefile" syntax, which is easily read by the
MusicKit. In addition, both kinds of files can be used to cut and
paste to compose an original composition.
BESSIE features a graphic sound envelope display which controls
the DSP in real time. Bessie can also be used to improvise
a musical composition using the FM algorithm.
BESSIE requires NeXT system 2.0
Improvements in BESSIE 1.1 include:
1. Changed program name to "Bessie.app" which is totally
self contained. Can be copied into any directory (or into
mail) and can be run from any directory (includes soundfiles
which previously had to be moved to LocalLibray/Soundfiles)
2. Onboard soundfiles have been compressed to save disk space.
3. Rounding limitations on attack time for the amplitude envelope
have been eliminated to prevent errors when writing
scorefiles with attack times < .1 secs.
4. Carrier Frequency text window is now editable and affects
the sound.
5. The main editor window can no longer be closed
(so you can't "loose" it and have to restart the program).
6. The addition of vibrato sliders.
7. Alterations in the window on vibrato and FM ...the "lab"
experiment is different...to include the vibrato ability.
8. use of the FMvi synthpath which provides a "cleaner" sound
because of the interpolating oscillators.
BESSIE appears as Bessie.tar.Z at the following archive sites:
(please note: Bessie 1.1 (the newer version) has
an uppercase B
rather than the previous version: bessie.tar.Z)
(available via anonymous FTP at:)
1) Oregon State: cs.orst.edu pub/next/submissions/Bessie.tar.Z
2) Princeton: princeton.edu pub/music/Bessie.tar.Z
3) Purdue: sonata.cc.purdue.edu pub/next/submissions/Bessie.tar.Z
4) University of Texas: eesun1.arl.utexas.edu
public/NeXT/submissions/Bessie.tar.Z
5) University of Maryland: umd5.umd.edu pub/Bessie.tar.Z
After FTP'ing Bessie.tar.Z, type: zcat bessie.tar.Z | tar xvf -
note: you may need your system administrator to uncompress and untar
bessie
Enjoy our second release !
Anthony G. Holland
Associate Professor of Music
NeXT Campus Support
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
tel: 518-584-5000 ext. 2606
next mail: tholland@pars.skidmore.edu