issue12

EMUSIC-L Digest                                      Volume 68, Issue 12

This issue's topics: M and Ovaltune
	
	M (7 messages)
	Ovaltune
	M (6 messages)

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Date:         Fri, 16 Sep 1994 08:31:43 -0600
From:         Joe Grossman 
Subject:      M

Has anyone out there had any experience with the program M? If so, what
do you think of it? Would you recommend it?
                                Curious in Colorado aka Joe G.

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Date:         Fri, 16 Sep 1994 10:50:37 -0400
From:         Bill Matthews 
Subject:      Re: M

>
> Has anyone out there had any experience with the program M? If so, what
> do you think of it? Would you recommend it?
>                                 Curious in Colorado aka Joe G.
>

It's the most fun music software I've ever used, and surprisingly powerful
once you're into it.

Bill Matthews

wmatthew@bates.edu

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Date:         Fri, 16 Sep 1994 12:19:28 EDT
From:         Scott Lehman 
Subject:      Re: M

Whatis program M?  I've never heard of it.

scott

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Date:         Fri, 16 Sep 1994 16:56:10 U
From:         John Lamar 
Subject:      Re: M

        Reply to:   RE>>M

>Dr. T. deals it now, and I
>>*think* it can be gotten for Windows.  Of course, I run it on a Mac.

Dr. T no longer has any copies of the program left. I just called them about
it this week. It's out of print.
They are selling Jam Factory, a similar program also by David Zicarelli for
about $30. This is great deal! It was about $200 when it was  first released
over 6 years ago.
We still use both programs here at Berklee.
Dr. T's also have copies of OvalTune , a Mac MIDI and graphics program (yet
another Zicarelli program) for $30 but don't have any manuals left for it so
they call it an upgrade and only sell to folks who aready have it. However I
have the feeling that they might be talked into selling a copy even if you
didn't already own it.

John Lamar
Computer Systems Coordinator
Music Synthesis Department
Berklee College of Music
617-266-1400 ext 484
jlamar@it.berklee.edu

------------------------------
Date:         Fri, 16 Sep 1994 15:45:29 -0400
From:         Bill Matthews 
Subject:      Re: M

>
> Whatis program M?  I've never heard of it.
>

Written by David Zicarelli, M reflects some of the compositional thinking
worked out by Joel Chadabe (SUNY Albany) and others.  Using MIDI, one
inputs a number of pitch patterns.  Then one specifies rhythmic patterns,
patterns of accent, etc.  There are many, many variables to play with,
including randomizing note order, note density, scale of dynamics, program
and channel changes to output, etc., etc.  It all happens in real time, so
the user responds as a performer, mostly with the mouse.  There's a grand
'conductor' function which enables the user to link together most of the
parameter specs.  It is easy to make great-sounding music with, and
endlessly seductive.  One can sit down, launch it, and suddently it's two
hours later.  Output can be saved as MIDI files, and sets of parameter
settings can be saved as 'snapshots.'  It's a real algorithmic performance
program, with a nifty graphic interface.  Dr. T. deals it now, and I
*think* it can be gotten for Windows.  Of course, I run it on a Mac.

Highly recommended, and not all that expensive, as I remember.

Bill Matthews
wmatthew@bates.edu

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Date:         Fri, 16 Sep 1994 14:10:20 -0600
From:         Joe Grossman 
Subject:      Re: M

On Fri, 16 Sep 1994, Bill Matthews wrote:

> >
> > Has anyone out there had any experience with the program M? If so, what
> > do you think of it? Would you recommend it?
> >                                 Curious in Colorado aka Joe G.
> >
>
> It's the most fun music software I've ever used, and surprisingly powerful
> once you're into it.
>
> Bill Matthews
>
> wmatthew@bates.edu
>
Could you tell me a little more? What do you mostly use it for? What are
it's strengths and weaknesses? What do you wish it could do that it
doesn't? (All this may be academic, since I've heard that it is no
longer being produced for the Atari, but I'm still interested in hear-
ing about it from someone who has actually used it).
                                                        Thanks
                                                        Joe G.

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Date:         Fri, 16 Sep 1994 16:18:40 -0400
From:         Jon Crystal 
Subject:      Re: M

>Highly recommended, and not all that expensive, as I remember.
>
>Bill Matthews
>wmatthew@bates.edu

I'd second everything Bill says about "M" and add the thought that
Zicarelli's related program, "Ovaltune" is also worth looking at.  Very
similar in most regards to M, somewhat less control in some parameters,
more in others, BUT the added dimension is visual.  As you move the mouse
you alter screen images and colors while changing the music output. You can
come up with some very interesting results - often mandala like since you
have adjustable symmetry settings for mirror images. The Music & Sound
Bible has a good write-up on it.

Unfortunately, it may be out of distribution. . . .worth looking for an old
copy someone is willing to part with, though.


Jon

------------------------------
Date:         Fri, 16 Sep 1994 16:58:59 -0400
From:         Bill Matthews 
Subject:      Re: Ovaltune

>
> >Highly recommended, and not all that expensive, as I remember.
> >
> >Bill Matthews
> >wmatthew@bates.edu
>
> I'd second everything Bill says about "M" and add the thought that
> Zicarelli's related program, "Ovaltune" is also worth looking at.  Very

> Unfortunately, it may be out of distribution. . . .worth looking for an old
> copy someone is willing to part with, though.
>
>
> Jon
>
Well, this is interesting.  Attracted by that 'Bible' citation, I acquired
Ovaltune, and have never gotten it to run.  It locks up and crashes my
system (7.1) on both the Quadra 700 and 840av we have.  I might have
overlooked the tech number or something, but never got around to pursuing
getting it right.  Any hints, Jon?

Bill Matthews
wmatthew@bates.edu

------------------------------
Date:         Sat, 17 Sep 1994 10:59:46 +0100
From:         Nick Rothwell 
Subject:      Re: M

>It's the most fun music software I've ever used, and surprisingly powerful
>once you're into it.

No idea if it's still supported or available. Zicarelli went on to work on
MAX, of course.


    Nick Rothwell     CASSIEL Contemporary Music/Dance     nick@cassiel.com

------------------------------
Date:         Mon, 19 Sep 1994 12:52:11 PDT
From:         Casey Dunn 
Subject:      Re: M

M "out of print"? what a shame.

------------------------------
Date:         Wed, 21 Sep 1994 12:26:32 U
From:         John Lamar 
Subject:      Re: M

        Reply to:   RE>>M



>>just thinking...... if M is truly no longer available, and thereby no one
is >>any longer making profits by distributing this software, would it be
>>ethical...
No because Dr. T's or whoever still owns the software.
Just because it is no longer sold,  has it become public domain software.
You could still be sued for posting the software.
Now one might ask them or whomever owns the rights if this is OK but would
suspect that they would say no. Why?, because they could still sell the
program to some else to distribute. If they release it, it has no value.
You may argue if anyone could really make any money selling to the very
limited market for the program, but still I doubt they'll release it.

John Lamar
Computer Systems Coordinator
Music Synthesis Department
Berklee College of Music
617-266-1400 ext 484
jlamar@it.berklee.edu

------------------------------
Date:         Wed, 21 Sep 1994 07:54:05 PST
From:         steven 
Subject:      Re: M

just thinking...... if M is truly no longer available, and thereby no one is any
longer making profits by distributing this software, would it be ethical and
 would
anyone be willing to post it to an anonymous ftp server?
s.

steven l. cantor                               steven@dynasty.cc.pdx.edu
_________________________________________________________________________
          the wild geese do not intend to cast their shadow
           the water has no mind to receive their image

------------------------------
Date:         Wed, 21 Sep 1994 11:27:23 -0500
From:         Joe McMahon 
Subject:      Re: M

>just thinking...... if M is truly no longer available, and thereby no one is
>any
>longer making profits by distributing this software, would it be ethical and
> would
>anyone be willing to post it to an anonymous ftp server?

It unfortunately would not be ethical or legal to do so. I'd love a copy
too, but I can't advocate breaking the law to do it... Perhaps the
copyright holders might want to consider releasing it as unsupported
shareware?

 --- Joe M.

--
"This trumpet is flatlining!" (MST3K, "Mr. B. Natural")

------------------------------
Date:         Wed, 21 Sep 1994 20:37:23 -0500
From:         Arne Claassen ISE 
Subject:      Re: M

> >>just thinking...... if M is truly no longer available, and thereby no one
> is >>any longer making profits by distributing this software, would it be
> >>ethical...
> No because Dr. T's or whoever still owns the software.
> Just because it is no longer sold,  has it become public domain software.
> You could still be sued for posting the software.
> Now one might ask them or whomever owns the rights if this is OK but would
> suspect that they would say no. Why?, because they could still sell the
> program to some else to distribute. If they release it, it has no value.
> You may argue if anyone could really make any money selling to the very
> limited market for the program, but still I doubt they'll release it.

A similar situation happened with Alchemy. Passport stopped selling it, but
after continual requests from people has now decided to sell it again. I
think that the best way to get M is to bug Dr. T abou it.

--
Arne F. Claassen             
On the Web:           
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"Somebody's got his finger on a DX7!"                             

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