Brian Heywood surveys the latest in software and hard disk recording developments shown at the APRS exhibition and reveals how you can go deeper into cyberspace with the Performing Arts Network...
Summer is here, along with the seasonal crop of music exhibitions, usually encouraging music vendors to release their latest products (i.e. "here we come, ready or not!"). At APRS this year it was more a matter of 'evolution' than 'revolution', with only the release of the Prisma, a PC‑based hard disk recording system from Spectral Synthesis, adding anything completely new to the scene. This lack of any great revolutionary change may reflect a maturity in the PC hardware/ software world, or it may just be the calm before the storm.
There were various hints around the exhibition that the next major development in the non‑linear editing world (hard disk recorders to you and me) will be the integration of video into digital audio editors. Both Soundscape (PC) and Digidesign (Mac) were demonstrating systems that played video back from the hard disk, synchronised with audio. In both cases the images were a bit jerky and required video expansion cards to give reasonable performance, but the interesting point is that both systems were using standard desktop computers, rather than the high‑powered workstations usually associated with this kind of operation. Definitely a case of 'watch this space'.
Guitarists Of The World Unite!
On the software side at APRS, the only application that caught my eye was a German program for Windows (and Atari computers) called Guitar Dreams, essentially a guitar tuition or reference application. The main part of the program allows you to display various chord and scales, showing the fingerings in any position on the neck along with the appropriate notation. In addition to the 'normal' guitar layout, Guitar Dreams can also handle open tunings and left‑handed playing. The package also includes a 'lead sheet'‑style sequencer that allows you to 'rough out' an arrangement on guitar and then export it to your production sequencer as a MIDI file. Alternatively you can print out the sequence as a 'chart' to share with other musicians (or even drummers!). The software costs £169 (including VAT); for more information about this useful utility contact David Sanger at Q‑Tek on 0382 200808.
Non‑Linear News
All the major players in the PC hard disk recording world had stands at APRS, with Digidesign showing their new Session 8 ADAT interface and a prototype of the new 882 I/O audio interface. The 882 is designed to reduce the cost of hard disk recording using the Session‑8 by dispensing with everything off the original interface rack unit — now called the Studio Interface — apart from the digital to analogue/analogue to digital converters, which knocks the price of the system down to around £2,730 (including VAT). Digidesign are presenting this as cheaper way of getting into non‑linear recording, but it strikes me that the new interface makes the Session 8 a more attractive proposition for anyone who already has a reasonable desk and just wants to replace their existing 8‑ or 16‑track tape machine with a disk‑based system. For more information contact Digidesign (UK) on 081 875 9977.
Studio Audio and Soundscape were also showing the latest versions of their respective software, with SADiE now up to version 2.2. Studio Audio are also now offering a support contract for systems that are no longer covered by the original 12‑month guarantee, with options for one or five years of coverage. For more information on the details of the service contract, contact Studio Audio and Video Limited on 0353 648888.
Over on the Soundscape stand, there was a demonstration of their eponymous hard disk recorder working synchronised with a digital video (AVI) file. Chris Wright — Soundscape's technical director — was showing a prototype system with the hard disk editor running alongside an AVI (software only) video file. Apparently an hour of digital video 'only' takes up about a Gigabyte of hard disk space, which allows you to dispense with a video tape machine and all the synchronisation headaches that go with it. Even nicer is the fact that the Soundscape will control video playback from the audio software, allowing you to use the disk recorder's transport to control the video location. Obviously the AVI video is not video production quality, but it should be good enough for editing, although if you are producing for PC‑based multimedia application, the quality will be the same. Now you might blanch at the thought of buying a Gigabyte drive just to hold the video, but I've heard persistent rumours that there will be a radical drop in the price of large‑capacity disk drives in the next six months, so I guess we'll have to re‑evaluate our assumptions about hard disk sizes (again!). We've certainly come a long way since the original PC‑XT was introduced with a 10Mb hard drive. Soundscape can be contacted on 0222 450120.
To round off the hard disk world — on PC at least — Spectral Synthesis were showing off their new Prisma system, which seems to have a lot in common with their more up‑market systems. The Prisma uses the same basic technology as the Audio Engine and can play back 12 simultaneous tracks (depending on the speed of the disk). One of the main features of the Prisma is that it has a very powerful Digital Signal Processor (DSP), which gives up to 24 parametric EQ modules and 12‑channel automated mixing, with enough spare power to cope with more features to come in later versions. On the audio side, the Prisma can interface directly to external converters using a stereo S/PDIF or AES/EBU digital interface (say a DAT) or you can use the Spectral's 8‑input/output interface. Spectral are selling Prisma as a turnkey system with one Gigabyte of disk storage for £6,580, or you can buy just the card and software for around £3,500. Call David Shapton on 0442 64205 for more information.
Chirpy Chirpy Cheap Cheap...
PC Services in Kent have added two new software packages to their range of low‑cost Windows software: Audition GS and PC Soundstation. The first is a budget MIDI sequencer which — as you can guess from the name — is designed to be used with Roland's GS sound modules, as well as General MIDI devices. Audition GS uses standard music notation for editing the MIDI data and allows you to create new GS voices as well as controlling the effects on GS or GM sound modules. PC Soundstation allows you to assign samples — recorded using your MPC soundcard — to MIDI note values, so that you can control them from a MIDI keyboard or a sequencer. Additional features include the ability to loop samples, tools for editing and/or creating new samples — and PC Services say that you can even convert a MIDI file into a .WAV file. Both packages cost just under £100 and are available from PC Services on 081 658 7251.
Stop Press Exclusive
Lyrrus have just announced a Windows driver, The Bridge, for their PC‑based guitar pickup system. The pickup, which is part of the G‑Vox system, can be fitted to any steel string or electric guitar, and connects to a spare serial port on the PC via a belt pack. The Bridge allows you to use the G‑Vox pickup with any Windows MIDI software that uses the time‑stamping information provided by the Windows MIDI API [for a full explanation of how G‑Vox operates, see Brian's PC Notes column in the May issue of SOS]. I've been using a beta version of The Bridge with Howling Dog's Power Chords software, with good results, monitoring acoustically during recording and then editing the performance in the MIDI domain. The new system looks to be the cheapest way for guitarists to get into computer‑based MIDI — watch further columns for more information. For more information, call Lyrrus' UK distributor, Optech, on 0252 714340.
Special Offer 2: Pan
Last month I covered how to go 'on‑line' in the UK with a free sign‑up for CIX. For anyone who wants to go further afield, PAN is based in the USA and is probably the original electronic system dedicated to musicians. PAN stands for Performing Artists Network and is the official email system for the MIDI Manufacturers Association, which is the US end of the committee that defines the MIDI specification — along with the Japan MIDI Standards Committee (JMSC).
Established in 1981, the PAN Network is the oldest and largest music network serving professionals in all aspects of the music business. While some other computer networks have jumped on the MIDI bandwagon in recent years, the PAN Network has remained dedicated to just one thing and one thing only — music! Of interest to the musician 'cybernaut' is the fact that PAN is also the only network designed for its members to turn a profit (literally and figuratively) instead of being a black hole in your wallet. It does this by giving users rebates on files that are uploaded onto the system as other users download them. PAN is also one of the homes of CMC, an alternative distribution network for new and 'non‑mainstream' music, which looks like a good way for UK musicians to gain access to the massive US market.
Obviously PAN has a strong US 'flavour' but it does have a European presence as well. The system revolves around special interest areas, called 'Forums', which allow you to exchange information and download files. As well as the general interest forums, there are also a number of active user support forums, including ones for Kurzweil, Lone Wolf, Opcode, Digidesign and Passport Designs.
PAN FEATURES:
- Thousands of members, all professionals, from over 40 countries worldwide.
- Thousands of downloadable files.
- Direct Hotlines to over 225 companies.
- Free 'front‑end' software to completely automate your usage.
- Free Classified Ads.
- On‑line Job Centre (Gig Bank).
- On‑line Entertainment Law Centre.
- Local access world‑wide (over 900 cities) via Tymnet, Telenet, and Internet.
- Dozens of Special Interest Groups and Bulletin Boards.
- UseNet archives, Internet gateways, and FTP transfers.
- The most sophisticated and least expensive fax services in the world.
- Travel Services with the lowest airfares, guaranteed.
- Optional delivery of the entire network on disk each month.
- Optional auto‑forwarding of messages directly to your fax machine, instantly.
- Connect‑Free conferences and 'Free Zones' each month.
- Connect‑Free months for people who upload files or recruit new members.
- New low rates... as little as $3.60 per hour.
ON‑LINE SIGN‑UP PROCEDURES
PAN can be reached by either dialling direct or via Telenet, Tymnet, or Internet. To sign‑up, please do the following:
1: Dial into the PAN computer using your preferred access method. PAN can be accessed in a number of ways, but the cheapest way from Europe is either to dial direct (0101‑617‑492‑9600) using a high‑speed modem (9600 baud) or connect via the Internet (type 'run internet' on CIX).
2: Depending whether you call in through Tymnet, Telenet, Direct, Internet, or Overseas, do the following:
• Direct: at the 'Local' prompt type 'C (CR)' (that is: hit the 'C' key followed by return)
• Internet: telnet pan.com
3: In both cases, at "Username:" type: PANJOIN
4: At "Password:" type: ADVANTAGE
You will then be welcomed to PAN's On‑line Sign‑up area, and prompted for all billing information needed to set up your PAN account. During the sign‑up, you will also be asked to choose a "Username" and will be given a temporary "Password."
If you have any questions, or require further information, contact PAN at 0101‑610‑584‑0300, or write PO Box 162, Skippack, PA 19474 USA, or Fax: 0101 610 584 1038