zed samples is time: It uses up just about ALL processor
time there is (there's the answer why there are no other tricks
in the "Amiga Demo" digi-sound screen!).
Tommy Software's "Soundmachine ST"
Building upon the concept of THREE voices and single digitized
samples of musical instruments, Tommy Software's Ute Wickenhäuser
and Jürgen Piscol designed a program that would not only allow
efficient playback of this music, but that would also allow the
user to enter the notes themselves - just like on sheet music.
The "Soundmachine ST" was born.
The program is no doubt about the most revolutionary music
program to date on the ST. Ever heard of "Sonix" on the Amiga?
Well, "Soundmachine ST" allows you to do the same (only with
three instead of four voices since the Amiga simply has one
more). The main difference is the processor time used: The Amiga
has a 'digital soundchip' (whatever you want to call it) built
in, so it doesn't take much time to play digitized music. On the
ST, it does. It is quite impossible to do anything else at the
same time, or you'll have to compensate on the sound quality.
"ST Soundmachine" allows you to play samples, and therefore the
whole disk (plus a second one) of the package are filled up with
samples. They use a different format than the 'regular' sampled
sounds that are produced by sample programs - but that needn't be
a problem because conversion is possible.
There are two kinds of samples: First, there are the ONCE
samples; these sound once (e.g. drum sounds) and then fade away.
Next, you have the HOLD samples (e.g. violins) that just continue
to sound until they are no longer wanted.
Each sample can be assigned its own volume value, and each one
of course has its own length.
The user interface
Mainly, there are two screens inside "Soundmachine ST": The
screen on which you put down notes and special commands (more
about those later) and the screen on which you specify sample
volume, shape forms and such.
The whole program is mouse-controlled (very much in a way like
their old "Musix32" program), though many keys have been assigned
a function, too. You can load/save songs, samples and shapes
(shapes are means of getting vibrato effects), you can 'compile'
a song (so that you can play it back in your own programs!),
print playfiles (songs) and get e.g. info about free memory and
stuff like that.
It is easy to control, although it may look a bit messy and
incomprehensible at start (especially the shape/sample edit
The Special Commands
In between the musical notes (in the music notation), it is
possible to use special commands. These can function to slow down
playback frequency (thus allowing more time for other programs
running), jump to other measures, transpose, use portamento (one
note 'glides' into another one that's higher or lower) or legato,
or to change the playback speed.
These special commands make the "Soundmachine ST" into a
valuable sound programming tool!
The Beatmachine ST
There's also another program on the disk: "Beatmachine ST". This
program allows you to construct complex samples (e.g. rhythms)
for later use in the "Soundmachine ST". The program is also
mouse-controlled and easy to use.
"Soundmachine ST" comes with a 40-page manual (I got it in
German). It is clearly written, and it also explains (with source
material) how to use the music in your own programs - which after
all is quite important. It is illustrated as well. Technical
terms are evaded, and it starts with explaining the basics of
The "Soundmachine ST" is quite revolutionary (just like Tommy
Software's "Musix32" was at the time of its launch) a sound tool.
It is quite easy to work with, and has really powerful options.
The demo songs on the disk are already quite impressive
(especially PRAELUDE) and really made me sit back and be amazed.
A good product - like we're used from Tommy Software! The
samples that are contained on the program disks really allow you
to experiment to you heart's content - and if you find them
insufficient you can get the additional sound library disks!
Name: Soundmachine ST
Company: Tommy