Sound Utilities

Mar 8 2012

SoundSmith for the Apple IIgs Available Online

The Creator of the Apple IIgs program SoundSmith and the Apple IIgs game LaserForce, Huibert Aalbers has added his Apple IIgs based programs to his website.  SoundSmith was one of the premier music programs of the Apple IIgs years and allowed game music to be written quickly and eloquently.

inspired by what he had heard on an Amiga system of the time and knowing the capabilities of the Apple IIgs, the non-musician Huibert set out to write a program that was a slick and easy to use program that performed well.  On his website, Huibert says “Music was not really something I was really interested in but I had to learn quickly in order to write the player. You have no idea how many times I had to listen to distorted versions of Cambodia before it finally played back correctly”

Huibert has graciously made available all of the original program and documentation on his website for free, easy download.  The program itself is available in 2mg and shk formats.  You can download the program from the website at:

http://www.huibert-aalbers.com/AppleIIgs/soundsmith.html

His Apple IIgs page also contains the original LaserForce as well as his 100,000 copy selling Jigsaw! Game which was published by Britannica. You can download these treasures for free and find more information about went into them here:

http://www.huibert-aalbers.com/AppleIIgs/Apple2gs.html

By billm • Apple IIgs, Apps, Software, Sound Utilities, Vintage • 0 • Tags: , , , , ,

Jan 4 2012

State Shirt Releases Full Length Music Video Featuring Apple //C

State Shirt, a musician also know as Ethan Tufts has released a full length video featuring the recently released Digital Music Synthesizer for the Apple //c.  The song, aptly named IIc Video Song, is available to watch on the State Shirt website or on YouTube.  The IIc Video Song is a high paced multiple layer percussion, piano and vocal mesh which is deftly assembled into a glossy, high quality video that is very modern, appealing to those with a taste for quality percussion and is honestly down right amazing.

Digital Music Synthesizer was released this past month after a collaboration between Michael Mahon and Seth Bernberger produced what is considered the finest sound utility for the Apple //c ever produced.

To watch the video in full, check out the YouTube below:
State Shirt – IIc

Our thanks to Michael Mahon on CSA2 for pointing this one out.

By admin • Apple ][, Software, Sound Utilities • 0 • Tags: , , , ,

Dec 16 2011

Apple releases update for Logic Express

Apple Computer Inc. has released an update to their Logic Express program.  Logic Express is Apple’s consumer level version of their Music Mixing package which allows for the user to manage multiple sound streams and build songs in a professional manner.

With its 36 instruments, the program is a very capable “little brother” to the professional version of the software,  Logic Pro.  It can handle up to 255 tracks of audio and has 83 plug in effects.

The latest version of the software, Version 9.1.6 fixes the following issues:

  • Improved compatibility with full-screen view and Mission Control in OS X Lion
  • The sample preview option available when importing samples into Ultrabeat now functions correctly
  • The destination for recorded files is now properly reset to the new Project folder after using “Save As…” command This update is recommended for all users of Logic Express 9.

You can download the update from the Apple Support page for Logic Express  at:

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1015

By admin • Apple Inc., Apps, Software, Sound Utilities, Updates • 0 • Tags: , , , ,

Nov 29 2011

DMS Drummer: Percussion Sequencer for the Apple II Released

Michael Mahon and Seth Sternberger have released a new percussion sequencer software package for the Apple ][.  They posted the following release information about the software package on CSA2:

With inspiration and musical mentoring provided by Seth Sternberger of _8-Bit Weapon_, I’ve impemented a percussion sequencer/synthesizer for the Apple II.

It allows a user to create sequences as long as 255 patterns, where each pattern is one of a set of 16 musical measures. Within each of these patterns, any one of 8 percussive voices can be played at any 1/16th note boundary.  In addition, the “pitch” for playing back the percussion sample can be specified, which is useful for pitched drums, like tom-toms.

Like RT.SYNTH (which Seth also offers as DMS Synthesizer) DMS Drummer uses the DAC522 5-bit 22kHz pulse-width-modulation wavetable synthesizer
engine, driven by a sequencer that runs in real time.  DAC522 represents “silence” as pairs of 6 cycle pulses spaced 46 cycles apart, regardless of whatever the code is doing–which subroutine it’s calling or which branch path it’s taking.  Executing “branchy” code while maintaining a constant stream of evenly spaced pulses is pretty tricky, but it must be done if the sequencer is to keep silent except for the desired sounds.

Seth is offering the full version on his website:
http://www.8bitweapon.com/store.htm

It is available for $15, but the demo version (downloadable both from my website and his) is free for you to play with!  It is limited to 8 distinct programmable patterns and the Save function is disabled.

Listen to the sample song, created by Seth, on either of our websites to hear the realistic rhythm line that an 8-bit Apple II can produce! The melody and bass lines are being played on RT.SYNTH, so the only non-Apple II-produced sounds are the “explosions” (which could also have been played by SOUND.EDITOR on an Apple II!).

By billm • Apple ][, Apps, Software, Sound Utilities • 1 • Tags: , , , , ,

Oct 19 2011

Vintage Micros Releases Lisa Sound Card

Vintage Micros (http://www.vintagemicros.com) has produced and released one of the hardest to find products for the Apple Lisa computer.  The Lisa DAC Sound Card is considered to be the holy grail of collectables for the Lisa and now for a limited time, they are offering the card for sale for $229.00  The card uses the Lisa speaker to produce the sound and can produce anything from standard computer sounds to full blown voice and audio reproduction.  The card comes with software which allows manipulation of the sound.

This project according the Vintage Micros owner, John Woodall, has “taken several years to develop and several thousand dollars to produce”.  Currently, there are 24 boards remaining of the original 50 (this also subject to orders) and if you want one of these cards you will need to act fast.  This initial run of 50 is the only run that will be produced of the card.

For more information about the Lisa DAC Card or to reserve yours, go to:

http://vintagemicros.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/281?osCsid=46771543ca932964df85830db5197c9f

Vintage Micros has also made a video of the product in action available on their website for those with an interest in the card.

By billm • Lisa, Software, Sound Card, Sound Cards, Sound Utilities • 0 • Tags: , , , , ,

Mar 19 2010

Digisoft Innovations Releases Apple IIgs Music Collection

DigiSoft Innovations Releases Apple IIgs Music Collection
By A.P.P.L.E. Staff

The Apple IIgs Music collection is now available for download from the DigiSoft Innovations website.  Version 1.0 of the collection covers 5 disks of music from various applications of the early 1990′s.    The current version of the music collection is recorded at 96K and is ready for your iPod or for background music on your website.

The five CD’s included in the collection are as follows:

Apple IIGS Classics – ACS-FTA.zip
Apple IIGS Classics – FTA II, NoiseTracker.zip
Apple IIGS Classics – Miscellaneous.zip
Apple IIGS Classics – SoundSmith Music Vol. 1.zip
Apple IIGS Classics – SoundSmith Music Vol. 2.zip

The CD’s are now available for free download from the Digisoft innovations website at:    http://digisoft.callapple.org

About DigiSoft Innovations

DigiSoft Innovations is a software company best known for the Apple IIgs screen saver program, Twilight II and the Apple IIgs software library, Golden Orchard.  The brain child of Jim Maricondo, the company has released a number of software collections over the years for Apple IIgs users.   You can reach DigiSoft Innovations via email at digisoft at callapple.org

By admin • Apple IIgs, Software, Sound Utilities, Vintage • 0 • Tags: , , , , ,