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Adventurer #07
31 января 1998 |
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Spectrum - Brad on SPECCY & PC. Reflections on the future.
(C), Mikhail Smirnov (CLEAR) Rybinsk
(C) Music: Clear
After reading in the second ADVENTURER 's regular nonsense
respected CAV Inc. Where there was suggested that the magazine
lacks something so-and-etokogo, which the author and
did not know it seemed to me that almost
DELIRIUM is not exactly who is in
all the computer magazines, including
in Computerra consisting of 99% of BREDA. So I decided a little
too pobredit.
Incidentally, the magazine Computerra, judging by
published the material in time to rename the PisyuTerra, so the
name will better reflect the stuffing.
PART I
This year, in the pages of magazines and
newspapers began to appear sad thoughts about
future, Spectrum be him or not.
In the spring of the 93rd, my friend, before a pair of
years worked at IBM, seeing as the fall
PC prices began to think - do not buy
Is it 386 DX 40 home? I told him hinted
that he had "not all there" and he told me at my expense the
Pentagon: "still by year-end Spectrum fails / etc. "Where
is now 386 DX 40? - On the ash heap of history! " He it was
never bought, and today this is not a bit sorry. After
cases every year I hear from pisyushnikov,
that "the end of the year ..." But in spite of everything
this is not happening. It seems to me the existence of our
platform depends on people's welfare. If 80% of workers will
receive more than $ 500 per month Spectrum then begin to bend.
Judging because, as there are in Russia, reform is
will happen in 5-10 years, ie not yet
soon. And that if we do not take
any measures to improve the hard 'as well.
Everyone knows that the quality of the graphics
and sound on the Spectrum is worse than on other computers with
the advent of new computer Sprinter problem with graphics may
be solved, but with sound There are no (GENERAL SOUND - not an
option, a parody on the Amiga. Connecting the same pisyushnogo
Sound Blaster 'A - insanity!). Here therefore, some "user'y"
going put the blame on other platforms - the Amiga and
PC. About Amiga's nothing I can say,
have not worked on it, and that's about PC ... Read!
About the sound in the garden PC I want to throw
cobblestones and poostudit hotheads who want it to do music.
Advertising in all taldychit that by buying multimedia PC, the
user can engage in musical creativity, but it
all lies. Most of these computers
equipped with cheap sound cards
$ 100 - Sky Rocket, Miss Melody, and
Edison Gold, and in fact they are only half the 16-bit. 16 bits
used in the codec - ADC and DAC, that is Digital input - output
system records and Play on your hard drive. Synthesizer same
8-bit (in some sound maps synthesizer may be absent), it is
based on SoundChip YAMAHA, which is FM - Generator
(Frequency Modulation - Frequency Modulation). The principle of
sound production - the generation of frequency-modulated sine
waves of a discrete structure. Chip There are 2 types - OPL OPL
2 and 3, differ in the number of so-called "operators" involved
to generate a single note, in their first 3, second 4. Each
operator can generate a sine wave, changing its amplitude
modulate another operator itself be modulated, and even
modulate itself. Combinations of compounds of several operators
are called by the algorithm. Inside algorithm, any operator can
be turned off, connected in parallel and sequentially, it can
act as a modulator and a mixer as a sound wave. Thus, the 8-bit
enough to imitate instruments of General MIDI, but up to a
speaker of natural instruments, they are also far, as black and
white to color monitor (in Spectrum 4-bit DIGITAL SOUND
instruments sound more natural) to same OPL 2 and 3 does not
correspond to the OPL General MIDI standard for polyphonic
(Total number of notes that sound simultaneously on all
channels) - at the same time music should sound in 1924, and in
which 16 and 20 respectively. It is possible that Spectrum
AY-8910 was the prototype of these chips, because is a
truncated version OPL 2, the 4-bit, it can be said
1.5 operator on each channel (not verified) :-). Based on the
OPL OPL 2 and 3 made nearly all synth-samoigrayki, companies
such as CASIO and YAMAHA (junior model for children from 2 to
10 years).
More expensive sound cards use a wave synthesis method,
yet it is called "table". A similar method is used on the
Spectrum in DIGITAL SOUND. Among the cards worth up to $ 500
best quality (relative signal / noise ratio) is Tahiti firm
Turtle Beach Systems ($ 300). This map is not a synthesizer (on
other cards, he is, although the quality ADC / DAC is worse)
but a special 26-pin connector allows you to connect any
synthesizer compatible with the standard Wave Blaster, which is
another $ 200 - $ 300. In addition to normal work will require
MIDI keyboard - $ 100, but rather "dynamic" - $ 400, otherwise
the tab of one product can be spend a month or more (tested on
my friend), and the music will sound "square".
Some cards by changing the sound
Program "stalled", ie stop receiving MIDI - messages on boot
time a new audio program that leads to loss of the received
informatsii.Naprimer, map YAMAHA SW20 change sounds for 0,5 ...
1 seconds, and GRAVIS ULTRASOUND download audio programs from
the hard disk, which takes more time.
There is a sound set of Monterey -
Tahiti + Rio. Rio - with a Wave Blaster
the possibility of installing additional
RAM to 4 MB to download custom samples. Such a set of
recommended dealers as "solve all problems", ie recording and
synthesizer together, they say, "in one bottle." In addition,
the card has an echo machine but it will look like in practice?
A here's how - according to the adage "it is theoretically a
horse, but in practice it falls." Echo machine is connected
only to a linear exit cards, and so - farewell to work with
acoustic plans and individual
installation depth on the tools. A download of a sampled voice
takes into best (!) If a quarter of an hour. Subject
that you will not find in libraries
SampleStore decent piano or
orchestral sound volume is less than 2 - 3
MB, loaded before work (or
failure on the network or a change in the score)
have an hour (and it takes so
a lot of time because what is happening through the MIDI
interface, an exclusive mode). When working with such a crap
nerves may not survive.
I know the composer (the present), who works at the Musik
Workstation - Ensoniq SD-1 (Ensoniq-American firm, SD-1 -
synthesizer, 4 years ago was considered in Russia, the
preeminent tool Now you can buy one for $ 1000 - $ 1400).
Faced roskazney pisyushnika about the possibilities and sounds
on the PC, bought IBM, put a set of Monterey, to work
sampler with sounds taken from the CD-ROM,
acquired the golden CD-ROM "with" cool "
sequencer programs, as
MIDI keyboard connected Ensoniq. After six months of fucking
with software and hard, crawling a mouse in search of some
buttons or functions, he decided to get rid of this ugliness,
and because of the falling prices of PC during this time he has
lost about $ 600. I helped him deal with the programs, but at
the same time he has mastered this "art". I can say that from
all music and computer equipment on what I've worked with over
the past 9 years, the sequencer PC was the most uncomfortable,
perhaps due to the fact that he linear. This is the same if, in
PRO TRACKER 'e would be one (!) Pattern, but
"Rubber", and not what a song! On the record
any piece of music on the PC,
with the musical keyboard
time is spent about 4 times more
than Ensoniq 's (two years ago, and I was
two weeks on Ensoniq 's, laid the 14 songs, coming up with
melodies and arrangements, with the choice of instruments. All
this was accompanied by exploring possibilities of the device,
numerous changes recorded, recording music and vocals on the
tape). And one of the "cool" sequencer programs (in recording
mode), with the rapid cadence playing in SD, more than half
notes "swallowed", although the SD all the notes sounded, and
despite the fact that in the Ensoniq 'e CPU 16 bit 68000, and
IBM was a 32 bit 80486 DX2-66. Processor PC 'shki 4,7 times
faster than 68000, but in conjunction with "Cool" software
nichrome no time at This speed MIDI - messages
only 31,250 bit / s or slightly more than 3
(!) Kilobytes per second.
Keyboard Ensoniq 'and has the effect of polyphonic
aftertouch (aftertouch). This allows you to selectively attach
vibration, or adjust the volume or what - is another option for
the specific notes that are played, depending on the
how to press the corresponding key. As far as I know none
sound card is no such effect. The main characteristics of SD:
sequencer - 24 track, when power sequencer
stores data in a static RAM, so when the power can be directly
get to work without having to download data from the
disk polyphony - 32 voices: 27 built-in 24-bit dynamic effect
(Some of them difficult - up to 4 effects in one: Distortion +
resonant filter + chorus + reverb, any sound you can hook into
any part of such an effect), 180 Voices, of which half a dozen
extended drum kits, organized into 3 banks - 2 ROM, a RAM 60 in
each, loaded into RAM from disk - 10 seconds. All sounds are
based on 168 forms envelope, covering all possible
groups of instruments: acoustic, electric, digital and analog
synthesis sounds. Any tone can consist of six votes at the same
time, any voice can be adjusted or made entirely new: the
envelope - attack, decay, support, damping, controlled filter;
vibratto, portamento etc. Note sound is created in real time,
rather than played samples!
Few words about the sequencer Ensoniq '
Yes. Such a flexible organization sequencer I
still nowhere to be seen. At the same time can be
organize the 60 sequences (patterns) and /
or a song, in sequents - any number of steps (we can write the
whole song). For example, you created 10 sequences: 1-entry, I
,2-verse, the third chorus I ,4-solo, etc., and from They put
together 50 (!) versions of one song. Or 50 sequences and
10 completely different song, and this is when instant access
to any sequence and song, without loading the disc.
With regard to the sound Monterey, he
difficulty competing with Ensoniq 'th and it
despite the fact that SD is made in the 90th year, and
Monterey at 94-om.Dinamika sound cards
implemented as a one-sided - when the volume changes only the
amplitude and frequency spectrum remains unchanged. For
example, if you hit one and the same- key on a real acoustic
piano, but with different force, the difference in spectral
composition between these sounds will be just great! In
addition, the spectrum changed by pressing different in height
notes. In Ensoniq 's sound is beginning to emerge MH waveforms,
only after receiving information about the volume of a
sequencer or a keystroke, it allows receive a very dynamic
sound, the sound Tools striking naturalness.
You can specify such parameters for a tool that increases the
height of the notes, say, a violin, she can move seamlessly
into a guitar or other instrument.
A slight digression. To me somehow
gone amateur pisyukovoy music (in its
PC sound card is Tropez, she almost
weaker than Tahiti), and I decided to show him how can play my
comp. For the Pentagon, I fastened a small pribambas: 8-bit
DACs, simulating a small portion of the internal circuitry AY
'shki. Uploaded altered under him Instrument
V2.01 and started Hitsquad, where the sounds
electric guitar with the effect of distortion. You would
saw his surprise face! It turns
on his "cool", 250-Baksova Tropez 's
this sound can not be achieved (internal capacity cards),
although the list GENERAL MIDI electric guitar with distortion
listed. Of course, if you load an external
sample, then the sound can be obtained, but
fact - there! Once I was at his house,
He gave me a MIDI file DEEP PURPLE,
without loading the external samples, would have heard
you as it sounds - uhohocheshsya! :) Continue ...
If we subtract from the price Ensoniq 'and
the cost of housing (with power supply, floppy drive, etc.) - $
200, and keyboard - $ 600, the pure "brains" will cost $ 400 to
$ 600, which is comparable to the price of a set of Monterey -
$ 500. In Ensoniq SD-1 is a slight drawback - it is
incompatible with General MIDI using the appropriate number
programs - the sounds (in the 90th year, the standard General
MIDI did not exist yet). In following model Ensoniq 'a - TS-10,
this drawback is eliminated.
Computers IBM PC does not use
even the stars of show business. For example, in making an
album of Michael Jackson's "HISTORY" attended by more than 20
musicians, keyboardists, and a host of experts: 17 programmers
synthesizers, 6 "Extra" programming synthesizers, sound
effects, 5 programmers, 4 drum programmer, 3 programmer
synthesized bass, 2 programmers Synclavier 'a, 1 programmer and
one body computer programmer (no - not specified). But that
said one of the experts who took part: "... I went into the
room and saw no less than 80 synths! ... sometimes, they used
the MIDI Time Code for PC Macintosh,
sometimes SMPTE - synchronizer Garfield
Master Beat ... the only thing
we will never, I think, not used - it
sequencer based on IBM - compatible
PC. "
Proceeding from the above, it turns out that buying a PC
for use in as a synthesizer, sequencer, it is unlikely
appropriate. If you feel a
genius of the music - buy the synth-class Music Workstation,
you will save a lot of time and nerves.
Helluva lot of clever, in the foregoing could
read between the letters of the hidden message
for the others - wait for the next
magazine ADVENTURER.
Sound until all are now a bit
thoughts on the future. Of all the projects being developed
now, I really prefer Sprinter-97, and although it Z80 14Mgts
not it be better to go directly to the 32-bit processor -
Z80000 or Z380, or provide for its installation in the future
for high-greedy up to speed. In Yekaterinburg is incurred for
convergence with PC, and it is for the Spectrum - crash! St.
Petersburg TRANSFORMER - nothing new in the schedule. A IS-DOS
- a stick in the wheel, not even stick - a log and made of
reinforced concrete.
Did you know that 32-bit 80386
internal architecture has a capacity factor of two less than
the 16-bit Z8000? Interestingly, with what is INTEL 'ovsky
processor can then compete Z380? :)
Anyone who thinks that the problems at the Spectrum does
not and should speak on this theme is similar to the ostrich,
which hides its head in the sand in the hope that so he can get
away from problems and avoid the harsh reality. The situation
in which we all were, of course by itself will never improve.
Platform sprayed a dozen computers, which
another part is not compatible. Hysteria about the collapse of
the pump, rather all Amizhniki who tusovka very
small, and they want nick to not be bored in the "solitude".
And most encoders from the "retired", still doing
on the Spectrum, as their "creativity"
Spectrum is no use to anyone - and without
them closely.
To date, the gaming market among the computers and games
consoles Spectrum has (by owners) are very unenviable position
(although Amizhnikov even worse - for the
Rumor - 4 times). And after some 5 years
ago, he has dominated all others, with a ratio of more than
100:1. Nobody Ever wonder what happened?
And why so many users and coders, we have lost? The platform is
kept almost on the same enthusiasm, half of the coders, or
rather its "elite", one foot on other platforms (with one hand
for production software is not bad, though
another are tempted to hammer on Speccy). And before the other
users to rises question: - "What to do??" There are two ways
development of the situation:
1. Staying at the Pentagon during
NN years, most people crowd together
dumps in all directions, left alone fans
Spectrum, the platform disappears, becoming a virtual machine.
:-(
2. All go for something more perfect. :-)
I think the second option for most would be preferable. But
Here too the two roads: a fancy
version of the Scorpion 'and a Sprinter-97. From
All currently existing models, they
have a better chance of survival. Where
Dvina? Before you decide "where the same?"
for a little bit of us recall the story.
First we planted a pig at 9? the firm "Steerler, throwing
on the market a game console" Dendy "and accompanied by a
strong advertising campaign. Then Spectrum and "Dendy" staying
on the shelves in stores next. A potential buyer seeing
that the use of the latter does not require
presence in the mind of even one gyrus, the ruble has voted in
favor of this "nonsense." Not the last role was played price -
a difference of more than 2-fold in favor of "Dendy", but most
importantly, that the picture was full screen, which is likely
and was decisive in the choice. Spectrum in Unlike "Dendy", had
no signal PAL encoder and modulator, and after all this time
people actively acquire TVs type "FUNAI", RGB connection which
is very problematic, since many of them had no connector SCART.
That cartridge has a huge cost, nobody
not paying attention. For information: in the original "Dendy",
two 8 bit processor company "Motorola" -
6838 and 6827, the first is a kind of 6800
processor, the second is a graphics processor, it serves 2
Kbytes of video RAM and encodes the signal PAL.
The second was the "SEGA". Her pristavochka "SEGA MEGA
DRIVE" is a 16-bit and as a consequence, it has a steeper
schedule. Today, the value of its Spectrum and about the same.
Spectrum for the two most important enemy in the fight for
the user. Proceeding from the above, we can conclude
that increase the probability of survival
platform, the computer must have the characteristics of higher
than these consoles. To do this you must:
1. The highest possible resolution.
2. Opportunity to display information on
the entire screen, that is beyond PAPER -
on the BORDER.
3. "Highlight" when working with graphics -
to get ahead of a 16-bit Segou.
All this has Sprinter. Scorpion
the same is, in fact, half-hearted decision. Once skorpionschik
aware that him closely in his car, and then what? We depart on
a PC? Some - who writes that Sprinter 'a high cost, and for such
Money can buy the Amiga 600, but this
model has a position which we took Spectrum-48 - almost an
outsider. A The view is better and cheaper to refine the
computer to Scorpion 'and - quite controversial. Maybe it's
just a case of "the avaricious pays twice"? Scorpion I Recalls
trampling "around it."
For "amateurs" PC and Amiga: a little-known firm
"Exponential" has launched a clone processor Power PC, is
called a miracle of technology "Power PC x704 ", is 533 MHz.
Now we are working on their next "miracle"
with a frequency of about 1 GHz. In the region of 2 GHz,
for silicon, there will limit performance. Even today, all
processors are manufactured on a mixed technology TTL + CMOS, a
further increase in frequency is only possible when moving to
ESL, the based on gallium arsenide. And it means a sharp rise
in the cost of processors is almost in order arsenide - is you
do not silicon, that "lies under the feet." Probability
this transition is small. Hitherto existing
situation where the advantage is that
complex, whose frequency is higher - will disappear.
In the winner will be the one who is steeper and the internal
architecture of computer code processor. This place is free to
take a (future) one of the descendants Sprinter 'and if you do
not sit "idly by". More AI Suvorov said: "You must not take the
number and skill." First pisyuk in 1979 was worse than the
Spectrum-48, and now He takes a number of ... You have not
forgotten that Zilog - top 8-bit?
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