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Post by disgustingcathedral on Jun 8, 2020 12:39:05 GMT -5
Please excuse this question, but how do you use the speccy for music creation? AFAIK the musical capabilities of the original ZX Spectrum where just beeping with different frequencies. Or do you use the analogue video output (or maybe the output for datasette) to squeeze some sounds out of your mashine? This would be crazy shit. Yeah just beeper but people have squeezed some pretty advanced sounds out of the thing considering the extreme limitations, using various techniques to create the illusion of separate tracks, harmonies etc. I don't know enough to code anything myself but there are some cool basic music editors, trackers and synth apps old and new. This collection is especially fun: randomflux.info/1bit/viewtopic.php?id=189 + there's lots of other cool stuff on that site for 1-bit beeper music on various platforms Later models of spectrum have the AY chip which can make a lot more advanced/musical sounds but I never got into those, just the good old 48K I did find some obscure program for the spectrum a while ago where it makes flickering patterns which cause a CRT TV to create interference that can be picked up as audio with an AM radio...!?? don't have an olde TV to try that with tho I am recording the spectrums onto 4track tape and incorporating other hardware/fx so it's not really pure beeper music
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Post by thekeeper on Jun 8, 2020 22:39:20 GMT -5
Absolutely wild ZX Spectrum setup. I think @garvulf has done some zx spectrum work as well.
I'm looking into more physical hardware to work on a potential new project of mine. Here's some equipment I'm currently looking at: Alesis SR16 drum machine Yamaha MG10XU mixer Korg Volca Bass and maybe a ways down the line a Behringer TD-3
Anyone have experience with any of these? I'm into the sound of the drum machine and bass synth, but I'm new to physical mixers. I currently just play a keyboard through my guitar amp. Would I be needing to get some normal speakers for hooking all of these up at once, or what the amp suffice? It's a 100w Fender Champion.
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Post by skirmisher on Jun 12, 2020 3:58:27 GMT -5
Absolutely killer 80's action movie drum sounds in this one. I love it. I don't have one anymore but I did sample mine just in case I want to use the sounds, might have to get a real one again even though the interface is terrible. Fortunately they cost next to nothing. Here's a track I did only using one analog mono synth, a sequencer/keyboard, a 30's dynamic Microphone and the Alesis SR16. Not at all related to Dungeon Synth, just wanted to comment on the Alesis: Katushai Armageddon
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Post by windgeist on Jun 14, 2020 1:43:28 GMT -5
Please excuse this question, but how do you use the speccy for music creation? AFAIK the musical capabilities of the original ZX Spectrum where just beeping with different frequencies. Or do you use the analogue video output (or maybe the output for datasette) to squeeze some sounds out of your mashine? This would be crazy shit. Yeah just beeper but people have squeezed some pretty advanced sounds out of the thing considering the extreme limitations, using various techniques to create the illusion of separate tracks, harmonies etc. I don't know enough to code anything myself but there are some cool basic music editors, trackers and synth apps old and new. This collection is especially fun: randomflux.info/1bit/viewtopic.php?id=189 + there's lots of other cool stuff on that site for 1-bit beeper music on various platforms Later models of spectrum have the AY chip which can make a lot more advanced/musical sounds but I never got into those, just the good old 48K I did find some obscure program for the spectrum a while ago where it makes flickering patterns which cause a CRT TV to create interference that can be picked up as audio with an AM radio...!?? don't have an olde TV to try that with tho I am recording the spectrums onto 4track tape and incorporating other hardware/fx so it's not really pure beeper music Sounds interesting. To be honest I didn't check out your music yet. But now I will do so for sure and try to find out which part is done by the speccy.
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Post by disgustingcathedral on Jun 15, 2020 10:45:57 GMT -5
Sounds interesting. To be honest I didn't check out your music yet. But now I will do so for sure and try to find out which part is done by the speccy. Thanks and hope you enjoy but don't try too hard to figure that out as there's none on that album using the ZXs for the next one tho! My current/debut album is mostly done using Nintendo DS homebrew apps, hardware FX units, tape 4track and Eurorack synths
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Post by skirmisher on Sept 25, 2020 6:07:06 GMT -5
This summer I didn't write any music. Just didn't feel like it. Now it's getting dark outside again and I'm getting back at it. This full hardware thing has been a very good decision. I have three tracks laid down and mixed in my four track. I'm not going to touch my computer and will accept the shortcomings of my mixes. To balance out this gritty distorted madness I've fallen into with this project I'm also getting back into trackers. This seems like a nice balance for me now. I strongly suggest everyone to try it out.
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Post by demesne on Sept 26, 2020 19:03:51 GMT -5
I am quite tempted to do something similar. I recently got a keyboard and wanted to record some tracks using just that but I don't have anyway to record other than a computer. I think limiting myself to only using my laptop for recording and no editing would be good compromise. I am tempted to do full hardware but am reserved on buying more gear that I don't necessarily need.
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Post by amnor on Apr 2, 2024 13:03:50 GMT -5
You encourage me greatly - particularly Alder and AndruJorj. I'm still relying a lot on digital editing and am trying to do more > most > eventually all of my tracks live in a single take. The last Dungeon Rush was a good push in that direction, even though my acoustic instruments carried the weight.
When I first decided I wanted to make this music I took for granted that I would do it on some kind of keyboard; it didn't occur to me (at first) to use a DAW. I have Anvil Studio but I didn't like the way it sounded. When I figured out an easy (and free) way to get sounds out of it that I liked (more or less), I immediately put it to use, but I have not wanted to let myself depend on it. I guess for me it's a matter of personal pride: being a drummer, I should be able to execute those 15/8 riffs consistently in real time - though playing in 7 against 4 or expanding time Steve Reich-style is still something I need to practice more.
I notice there are some threads about finding used keyboards at thrift stores. My reliance on limited gear is just as much dictated by poverty as by anything else. If I could afford more old-fashioned hardware I would like to use it, but in my case I'm using what I've been able to scrounge and get secondhand or for free, and what I can fit into nooks and crannies of space... and time.
Not sure if there should be a separate thread for low-budget or no-budget recording on here. A scrappy, shoestring character seemed to me essential or definitive to the genre, but I wonder how many others are working with hard cold money limits.
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