Re: Mockingboard

["BLuRry" <brendan.robert@gmail.com>]

The mockingboard uses the same chip as the Atari ST Spectrum computers,
The actual sound chip is named, rather unaffectionately, AY-3-8910.  It
doesn't work very well as a midi tone generator, in the sense that it
knows how to make different instrument sounds.  It essentially offers 3
tone generators and 1 noise generator.  The Mockingboard-II had two AY
chips, essentially doubling the number of channels.

If you look for old spectrum or atari ST games or demos, you can dig up
some really good examples of what the chip can do.  It was not explored
nearly as well on the Apple //e series, largely because it was a 3rd
party board whereas on the ST and Spectrum it was on-board.

http://www.worldofspectrum.org/projectay/index.htm
http://www.breezer.demon.co.uk/spec/tech/ay-3-8912.html

If you want to hear the mockingboard, you can grab the latest version
of AppleWin and fire up Ultima 5 or so.  I have a prototype
mockingboard player routine, which doesn't work at the moment
unfortunately.  Most likely, I'll probably rewrite it once I have some
more time to spend on 8-bit programming.  I'll post the (nonworking)
source online soon.

-BLuRry