Re: Laser 3000

[ds_spen@pavo.concordia.ca (SPENCE, DOUGLAS S)]

In article <Re4ajuY.lmcclure@delphi.com>, Lonnie McClure <lmcclure@delphi.com> writes...
>In a message dated 2-1-95, Douglas Spence said:
> 
>     "The most important question is:  How to I connect a disk
>      drive to this thing?"
> 
>I suspect no disk controller is built-into the Laser 3000. If so,
>you may be up the creek without a paddle (the paddle being the
>controller + drive combo for the L3000).

So I presume this means that there is no such thing as an external
floppy controller for the Laser 128 that would be compatible with
the Laser 3000?  I've never seen what any other Laser system looks
like - I guess I was just lucky to get the weird one. :)

>     "What is the syntax for the unusual commands that come
>      up when I hit the function keys?  (SOUND DEF, SOUND TEMPO,
>      SOUND, DRAW CIRCLE, etc.)"
> 
>As I recall from an ad for the L3000, the BASIC was a standard
>Microsoft varient, rather than Applesoft compatible. Except for the
>sound commands, I suspect a manual on GW-BASIC for a PC would get
>you on your way.

Well, the startup message is:

MICROSOFT BASIC V.T. VERSION 2.2

(C) COPYRIGHT V.T. 1984

but it is basically Applesoft BASIC.  The only differences I've found
so far, are the additional high resolution graphics and sound commands,
and the lack of low-res graphics commands.  Also, I'm not sure if real
Apples use the WIDTH command to switch between 40/80 columns?

I did look up some commands in my AmigaBASIC manual, though, and
managed to figure out a few of the new commands:

DRAW HCIRCLE (x,y),radius[,aspect]
DRAW SCIRCLE (x,y),radius[,aspect]

DRAW HSQUARE (x1,y1 TO x2,y2)
DRAW SSQUARE (x1,y1 TO x2,y2)

SOUND frequency,duration,voice[,volume]
       (1-64)   (1-255)  (1-3)  (1-15)

NOISE voice?,duration,volume,frequency?
       (1-2)                      (1-4)

I haven't figured out the PAINT command yet, nor SOUND DEF, SOUND TEMPO,
or all the arguments to the TEXT command (it sets border colours and
some other things).

I know, too, that the sound chip will play from all voices at once (else
there'd be no point in having them) and have been able to make it do so.
Until I actually specify VOLUME.  After that, I'm stuck.  The machine
simply waits until one note is complete before it continues execution.
Without ever specifying a volume for anything, it doesn't pay attention
to duration... BASIC waits for that length of time, but the note continues
to play afterward until the frequency played through that voice is
changed.  I wonder if I can figure this out without a manual. :/

And 64 frequencies is rather limiting.  Is this a limit of the BASIC, or
of the chip, I wonder?

>    "Are the ports the same as those on a IIc?  Does the IIc have
>     this (what seems to be) 3-voice sound chip with noise generator?"
> 
>Having never seen a Laser 3000 in the flesh (only in ads), I cannot
>say. The serial port on the IIc was either a DB-9 or a mini-din 8.
>The drive port was a DB-19.

Unfortunately, the Printer, RS232, and System Bus ports are all edge
connectors, like you find on the back of a PET.  The Printer port has
20 pins (10/side), the System Bus has 72 pins, and the RS232 port has
30.  The hidden port on the side is like the System Bus, only female.
And all other ports use DIN connectors.  Luckily I can use the same
cable for COMP. VIDEO as I do with my VIC-20. :)

>None of the Apple II series had the same sound chip as in the Laser
>3000. The same chip was found in a number of other 8-bit machines,
>however, and I believe on one or more sound cards for the II+ and IIe.

Which sound chip is it, and what other 8-bit machines had it?
What does the ad you've seen say about the L3000?  I presume you still
have the ad, or have a fantastic memory? :)

>I wish I could run across a Laser 3000 in good condition at a decent
>price. I wouldn't mind adding it to my collection of "Never heard
>of it" machines. <grin>

Well, you'd probably kill me if I told you where I found this, and how
much I payed for it.  How's the C65 doing? ;)

Doug Spence
DS_SPEN@pavo.concordia.ca