Re: TIMELORD: 8-bit drum / bass sequencer

[Simon Williams <*email*@*luddite.ca*>]

On Sun, 16 Mar 2003 06:16:54 -0600 Grape_Soda <notgonn@do.it> wrote:

> 
> On Wed, 12 Mar 2003 01:17:27 GMT, Simon Williams
> <*email*@*luddite.ca*> wrote:
> 
> ><drum roll>
> >
> >Well, this is the first public display of my programming (in)abilities.
> >TIMELORD is a sample-based drum machine and bassline sequencer for the
> >unaided 8-bit Apple. It's based on Michael Mahon's 5-bit DAC and a lot
> >of blind hacking on my part ;-)
> >
> >It's not pretty, but it works... and it's free.
> >
> >http://www.luddite.ca/apple2/timelord/
> >
> >I tested the download, but if anyone has any problems let me know.
> 
> How can I create my own sample banks for this?

Upgrade to the 'Pro' package for $49.99

Kidding. Actually it's pretty easy if you have access to a Mac or PC with
a decent sound editor and some way to transfer files.

Step 1. Build the bank.

   The TIMELORD sample bank is made up of one binary audio file which is
   exactly(ish) two seconds in duration. This, in turn, is divided into
   16 sounds, each 125 ms in duration. The first sample is silent followed
   by either a musical scale, or the variously combined percussion sounds.
   If you look at the layout for THE.DOCTOR (sequence editor) you can see
   how the drum sounds are combined. Of course you can use any type of
   scale or combination of sounds - just make a chart so you know what's
   what.
   I found it easiest to use Cubase VST to generate the banks (actually
   most of the non-percussive sounds are straight from the USM module),
   as it is easy to arrange seperate samples on the timeline. The main 
   thing is to keep the timing right (125 ms/sample).
   Once you've got the bank put together just export it as 8-bit/11025 Hz
   .wav file.

Step 2. Transfer to Apple II

   I went from iMac w/USB floppy --> PPC w/superdrive --> IIgs --> IIe. 
   I hope you have a better setup ;-)

Step 3. Unfork the file.

   I had to run the files through Unforkit before ProDOS would recognize
   them... this may not be necessary for PC-generated sounds. Correct me
   if I'm wrong.

Step 4. Strip the Header

   Next, you have to strip the $2C (44 decimal) byte header from the
   resulting binary file. There is an Apple II utility called Stripper
   which will do this for you.

Step 5. Clear the Silence (optional)

   I found that by zeroing the 1378 bytes of the 'silent' sample, that
   the inter-sample clicking was less evident. The default value is $80.
   I have a short program that automates steps 4 & 5, but I'll have to 
   do a bit of fixing to make it portable.

Step 6. Let it Rock.

   Just copy your file to your instruments directory and you should be
   good to go.

Additional ideas:

   If you need to adjust the volume of the sample, the best way I've 
   found is to split the sample into two equal segments and open them
   in SOUND.EDITOR. Of course you would them have to recombine them
   into one file. I also wrote a program to automate the splitting and
   combining, but again it's not very portable just yet.

   If you don't have SOUND.EDITOR, you can download it from Michael
   Mahon's home page: http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/

Let me know if any of this makes no sense... I'm going from memory and
since I've only 64K to work with, there may be an error or two ;-) 

> This program is seriously going to come in handy for me for the music
>I write.

Cool. I wasn't sure if it was a complete waste of time or not. When you
get something recorded I'd really like to hear it :)

Personally, I'm looking forward to making it synch-able, so I can do
some live stuff... look out world!!!

-- 
Simon Williams
Luddite Enterprises
http://www.luddite.ca