Date   : Wed, 02 Aug 2006 20:49:48 +0100
From   : Richard Kilpatrick <oldcomputers@...>
Subject: Re: Hybrid Music - determined attempt!

On 2 Aug 2006, at 16:52, gARetH baBB wrote:

> On Wed, 2 Aug 2006, Richard Kilpatrick wrote:
>
>> I've seen reports of that; launched in 1988 (how long after the  
>> Electron was
>> pretty obsolete?!) and there appeared to be some glitches, but the  
>> article I
>
> How dare you suggest the Electron was ever obsolete !

Sorry, I mean "established". Or perhaps "familiar". ;)

>> found suggested that it did work tolerably.
>
> Probably a speed problem, AFAICR it tried to do graphics stuff to
> "emulate" the mode 7 display a bit - though admittedly this could only
> have gone as far as some user defined characters.

The article mentioned an attempt to work around Mode 7 which resulted  
in lines on the display, and the need for some keys to be mapped  
differently.

>> Shame, I'd love to talk to him for the article. Okay, my opinion  
>> of AMPLE as
>
> He might have calmed down, I have no idea what he does now.

Looking at the system, I think a degree of... insanity must have been  
necessary to devise it all. However, if someone did an unauthorised  
port of my software, I'd be pretty livid. I think - from what I read  
- that the unauthorised stuff was Peartree.

>> I don't fully understand how the Hybrid works, electronically. It  
>> would be
>> helpful.
>
> IIRC Chris Jordon wrote an article for Acorn User about it, can't  
> remember
> when though and what it actually said.

I think the one I saw was in an electronics mag. it's up online  
somewhere, perhaps Colin Fraser's pages.

 From the newsgroup, it looks like I might have found - if not  
secured - an M-1000 amp and speakers. Which I am surprisingly pleased  
about if that is the case, as the resulting system will look  
fantastic for photography. Especially if I can find an M-2000 MIDI  
module and either photoshop the Music 500 to be a Music 3000, or find  
an actual Music 3000 case/module.

I now need to track down information on the UMI (2B?) Sequencer which  
was used extensively in the 80s!

Richard

-- 
Tasty Other - Because Far Too Much in Life Makes Sense
Music for download - coming soon (RIP MP3.com)
G.A.S. http://www.dmc12.demon.co.uk/music/
Platform: PowerMac G5 2.0GHz Dual, 20" LCD, Logic, Hammerfall.