============================ EchoSoft/Currys Organ Master ============================ Document created by rstuart@ukonline.co.uk on 8th Feb 00 for World of Spectrum: http://www.void.demon.nl/spectrum.html For use with Sinclair 128 and Echo Keyboard Advanced Software With Record & Playback Facility Currys ECHO Music Systems ------------------------- Sinclair Spectrum 128K MUSIC SYNTHESIZER Software, Version 2.0 USERS GUIDE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contents -------- Page 1 1.0 Introduction to the ECHO Music System 2.0 Getting started 3.0 Loading the Program Page 2 4.0 Introduction to the Synthesizer Software 5.0 The Synthesizer Section Pages 3, 4 & 5 6.0 The Voice Editor section Page 6 7.0 Recording System Pages 7 & 8 8.0 Explanation of Special Terms Used Page 9 9.0 Key Summary 10.0 The Default Voices 11.0 Demonstration Tune -----[Page 1]----- 1.0 Introduction to the ECHO Music System ----------------------------------------- The ECHO music system consists of a range of software and hardware peripherals for the production if sound and music for microcomputers. The range has now been extended to cover the Sinclair Spectrum 128K machine and consists of:- ECHO KEYBOARD - A 3 octave musical keyboard. ECHO SPEC - An interface to allow the ECHO Keyboard to be connected to the Spectrum 128K. ECHOSOUND - A 6 watt boxed audio amplifier incorporating a 6 inch speaker. The software which accompanies this manual enables the user to create and edit different types of sound and then play them using the ECHO KEYBOARD. The sound is produced by driving the machine's internal sound chips directly and thus creates a better and broader sound range. 2.0 Getting started ------------------- Before switching on the machine, the interface and keyboard must be connected. This is done by pushing the interface onto the connector at the back of the Spectrum (it will only fit on one way). The keyboard is connected to the interface by a long piece of ribbon cable. The coloured edge of this cable must be lined up with the arroe on the connector on the interface. The sound produced by the system is played through the speaker in the TV connected to the spectrum, or if a better audio quality is required, a separate audio amplifier is available in the ECHO product range. 3.0 Loading the Program ----------------------- Two versions of the software are available, one to run on a cassette based system and the other for a microdrive dased system. For a cassette system, insert the tape into the recorder, type LOAD "ECHO" followed by return and then set the recorder to PLAY. The program will automatically start running when it is loaded. For a microdrive system, insert the cartridge in microdrive 1, type LOAD *"M";1; "ECHO" and then press return. As with the cassette system, the program will automatically run when loaded. -----[Page 2]----- 4.0 Introduction to the Synthesizer Software -------------------------------------------- The software is split into two distinct modules:- 1. SYNTHESIZER This section allows the user to play the keyboard, select a new voice to play, and adjust the overall pitch to the sound produced. There are also facilities to allow a set of voices to be loaded or saved to tape or microdrive (depending on which version of the software is used). 2. VOICE EDITOR The EDITOR section allows the user to edit the currently selected voice to produce new sounds. Each section will be described sepearately. 5.0 The Synthesizer Section --------------------------- This section of the program is entered automatically when the program is run. On the screen will appear eight voice names and their corresponding voice numbers. On start-up, a default set of voices is present (see section 9.0 for descriptions of these). To select a new voice to play simply hit the numbered key on the keyboard (1-8). The new voice will be highlighted as the current voice and any sounds produced using the ECHO KEYBOARD will use the parameters defined by this voice. The name of the currently selected voice can be changed by simply typing the new name on the computer keyboard. The name must start with any alphabetic character and must not be more than 10 characters long. If more than 10 characters are typed, the name input will end on the 10th and the computer will beep to alert the user. If less than 10 characters are used, the RETURN key must be pressed to terminate the name input. Again, the computer will beep to alert the user he can now play the music keyboard again. Note that whilst entering the voice name, the music keyboard is de-activated. The overall pitch of the sounds being generated may be adjusted by the use of two other facilities. These are PITCH FINE and OCTAVE SHIFT. PITCH FINE allows the pitch to be fine-tuned to a resolution of one quater of a semi-tome, the range being -96 to +96. To increase the pitch, use the UP ARROW key and to decrease use the DOWN ARROW key. -----[Page 3]----- OCTAVE SHIFT allows the 3 octave keyboard to be transported up or down the 7 octave sound range of the computer. The value of the screen displays the offset from the default position and ranges from -2 to 2. The shift is altered by using the RIGHT ARROW key to move up an octave and the LEFT ARROW key to move down. The current set of 8 voices may be saved at any time by pressing the ";" key and entering a filename when prompted. To Load a set of 8 voices, press the '"' key and enter a filename. Note that the current set of voices will be overwritten. A music recording and saving/loading system has also been provided and this will be explained in more detail in section 7.0. The last facility available to the SYNTHESIZER is to enter the VOICE EDITOR. To do this, simply press the SPACE BAR. The currently selected voice may then be edited as described in the next section. On completion of the edit, the SYNTHESIZER section will be re-entered, with the modified voice being the currently selected voice. 6.0 The Voice Editor section ---------------------------- The Voice Editor section is entered by pressing the SPACE BAR whilst in the SYNTHESIZER section. Exit back to the SYNTHESIZER is made by pressing the SPACE BAR again. A voice is made up of two distinct parts, the AMPLITUDE ENVELOPE and the PITCH ENVELOPE. These envelopes consist of a number of parameters, each of which may be modified by the user. On entering the EDITOR, the AMPLITUDE envelope parameters are displayed and may be modified by simply using the UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW keys to select a parameter and then using the LEFT ARROW and RIGHT ARROW keys to adjust its value. To switch to the PITCH envelope, press the "," key. Its parameters can then be changed in a similar manner. The "," key will switch between the two envelope screens at any time without changing any modified parameter values. -----[Page 4]----- Parameters for AMPLITUDE envelope. ^ AA | | /.\ | / . \ V | / . \ O | / . \ L | / . +-----------------------------+ SA U | / . . . \ M | / A . D . S . R \ E |/ . . . \ +------------------------------------------------------------------> TIME < AT > < DT > |< RT > | ^ key released at this point (a) ATTACK AMPLITUDE (AA) This is the maximum volume which the sound will reach during the attack phase A. It has a range of 0 to 15, there being 16 levels of volume available from the sound chip in the computer. (b) ATTACK TIME (AT) This is the time taken to reach the maximum volume (AA). It is measured in 50th second periods and has a range of 1 to 255. (c) DECAY TIME (DT) This is the time taken to decay from the maximum volume to the volume defined by the SUSTAIN AMPLITUDE parameter. It is also measured in 50th second periods and has a range 1 to 255. (d) SUSTAIN AMPLITUDE (SA) This is the volume reached after the decay phase D of the envelope. It has a range of 0 to 15, but is limited to a maximum of AA. (e) RELEASE TIME (RT) This is the time taken to reach a zero volume level after the key has been released. It is measured in 50th second periods and has a range of 1 to 255. -----[Page 5]----- Parameters for PITCH envelope. | + PD | + | / . \ | / \ | / . \ | / \ P | / . \ | / \ I | / . \ | / T +--------+-------------------\-------------------/------------------> TIME C |< DT > < T1 > < T2\ >.< T3 />| H | \ . / | Cycle repeats while | \ . / | key remains pressed. | \ . / | | + -PD | (a) DELAY TIME (DT) This is the delay between pressing a note on the keboard and the start of the pitch envelope cycle. It is measured in 50th second periods. (b) TIME 1 (T1) This is the time taken to reach the upper value of the pitch defined by the pitch depth (PD). It is measured in 50th second periods. (c) TIME 2 (T2) This is the time taken for the pitch to drop below its starting value by a value defined by the pitch depth (PD). Note that the total pitch change from the end of T1 will be twice the pitch offset. (d) TIME 3 (T3) This is the time taken for the pitch to rise up to the original value, i.e. the value has before time T1 started. (e) PITCH DEPTH This is the distance in quater semitones that the pitch will vary above and below the origional pitch of the note. -----[Page 6]----- 7.0 Recording System -------------------- To Record/Playback a piece of music you should press the ' ' key on the Spectrum - this will take you into the Record/Playback menu and you will be greeted with the following options:- RECORD MUSIC, PLAYBACK MUSIC, REPEAT MUSIC, ADD TO MUSIC, SAVE MUSIC, LOAD MUSIC, RETURN TO SYNTHESIZER. Also displayed will be RECORD LIMIT - This tells you how much time you have to RECORD and ADD Music. To choose one of these options, use the UP + DOWN Cursor Key's to highlight your choice, then press the 'RETURN' Key to make your selection. RECORD MUSIC When you are ready to start recording select this option: Recording starts immediately. The Computer will register the precise length of each note and each pause including any pause before starting to play and any pause at the and before pressing 'STOP'. You will see that you are back in the Synthesizer again, but this time a flashing 'Record Now' will have appeared on the screen - you may change any of the options, select a new voice, change the pitch, alter the sound parameters etc. To finish Recording, press STOP and you will find yourself back at the Record/Playback menu, (if you go over the Record Limit during Recording, the same thing will happen). PLAYBACK MUSIC To play back the notes previously recorded in the computer's memory select the playback option - the Computer will Play back all that you have recorded up till the time you pressed STOP (or ran out of Recording time). Everything that you have entered will be Played, including Pauses and all Voice changes. To stop Playback before the end of the MUSIC press STOP. REPEAT MUSIC To allow Playback to be continuously repeated this option should be selected. The music you have previously recorded will be Played back and then repeated again and again, until you press STOP. This facility allows ECHO to be used as an accompaniment, either to someone playing a musical instrument, or even to music on another ECHO system. ADD TO MUSIC Whenever you select the 'RECORD' Option, whatever you recorded previously will be lost as the new music takes its place. With this option you may add to the music in memory (if there is enough space left). This option is ideal if you wish to change a Voice, but do not want the delay involved while you do so, or to record complicated pieces of music in short lengths. 'Adding to Music' will appear flashing on the screen, and recording will start from where you last left off - use STOP to finish adding music and return to the Record/Playback menu. -----[Page 7]----- SAVE MUSIC Select the option to save the music (which must first be Recorded in the Computer's Memory) to tape or microdrive. At this stage you will be requested to give a filename under which to save the music - a maximum of 9 alpha- numeric characters are allowed. Type your file name then press 'ENTER'. Just press 'ENTER' if you wish to skip this option. The code that goes to make up the music will now be saved to tape or microdrive in a number of blocks. LOAD MUSIC Select the option to load a previously 'SAVED' block of music from tape or microdrive. The filename under which it was SAVED will be requested and you should enter this - up to a maximum of 9 letters - and press ENTER. If you cannot remember the filename then pressing 'ENTER' with no filename will make the computer load the next block of music regardless of what its filename is. All blocks previously recorded will be loaded into memory. NOTE: For more information on Loading and saving to tape or microdrive consult your Spectrum User Guide. STOP Press the '0' key to STOP Recording, Playback, Repeating and Add to Music. 8.0 Explanation of Special Terms Used ------------------------------------- ORGAN MASTER is advanced software on disc or tape for the Sinclair Spectrum Microcomputer Model and the ECHO keyboard, and provides the following facilities: Synthesizer: Play music on the ECHO keyboard, change octave, adjust tuning, select different musical sounds e.g. piano, Organ, Hawaian guitar. Record music in the computer's memory and play back. Save music from memory to disc or tape storage. Voice Editor: Create other sounds by defining the note's variation in volume and pitch. Save these sounds in the computer's memory or on disc or tape. ECHO is a computer LANGUAGE - this means this its capabilities are not limited by using the 128 standard source commands - ECHO itself controls the sound generator in the computer. -----[Page 8]----- Moreover, the software is 'interrupt' or event-driven, which in effect, allows you to do what you like at any given time, for example, adjust the pitch or change the volume whilst playing. ORGAN MASTER is part of the Currys Musical Package, the current range of associated products consists of: ECHO KEYBOARD including ECHOSOFT Organmaster (cassette or disc) software. ECHO SPEC to provide an interface socket for the Sinclair 128 Micro computer, for use with ECHO keyboard. ECHOSOUND a 6 watt amplifier and 6 inches speaker. The range has been designed to take full advantage of the computer's sound generation facilities and is undergoing continual development, with new products and software becoming available from time to time. The concept of its design ensures, as far as possible, that all future products will be compatible with the product range now available. ECHO SPEC 1. ECHO SPEC interface provides the means by which the Sinclair 128 'talks' to the ECHO keyboard. It contains TTL logic specifically designed for this purpose. It is a fundamental part of the Currys musical package. IN YOUR TV The small speaker while suitable for practice purposes, is not ideal for the production of 'real' music. For this the addition of ECHOKIT and an amplifier and speaker such as ECHOSOUND is recommended. In this manual the terms 'voice' and 'envelope' will be used with specialised meanings: a 'voice' is a particular sound with its own individual characteristics, which may imitate the sound of a musical instrument or other sound; for example a voice can be generated by the computer which reproduces the sound of a piano. The ECHO system already has 8 voices available, which you can use in the Synthesizer section, and you may create many more of your own. In order to create a particular voice, the computer must be able to vary the volume and the pitch of the note while it is playing. The method it uses to do this is called an 'envelope'. To create a new voice the computer must create an Amplitude (volume) Envelope (to determine how the volume of the note will vary) and Pitch Envelope (to determine how the pitch of the note will vary). This is what you are doing when you use the Voice Editor section of the ECHO system. -----[Page 9]----- 9.0 Key Summary --------------- Synthesizer Section """ Load voices ";" Save voices SPACE BAR Enter voice editor DOWN ARROW Pitch fine down UP ARROW Pitch fine up LEFT ARROW Octave shift down RIGHT ARROW Octave shift up Voice Editor Section SPACE BAR Return to Synthesizer DOWN ARROW Select next parameter downwards UP ARROW Select next parameter upwards LEFT ARROW Reduce current parameter by 1 unit RIGHT ARROW Increase current parameter by 1 unit 10.0 The Default Voices ----------------------- Selection Number Name 1 PIANO 2 STRINGS 3 ORGAN 4 POPCORN 5 EVOLUTION 6 SIREN 7 SYNTH 8 HAWAIIAN 11.0 Demonstration Tune ----------------------- A demonstration tune is included on the end of your Master tape titled DEMO. To load, enter the Record/Playback menu and select the LOAD MUSIC option. When asked for a filename, enter DEMO and load the Demonstration Tune, selecting the PLAYBACK MUSIC option to play.