Ready for some serious Atari action, then check this one out
Really neat software that you can download right here >>
A little background:
The Atari ST was a notable home computer, based on the Motorola 68000 CPU, with 512 KB of RAM or more, and 3½” floppy disks as storage. It was similar to other contemporary machines which used the Motorola 68000, the Apple Macintosh and the Commodore Amiga. Although the Macintosh was the first widely available computer with a graphical user interface (GUI), it was limited to a monochromatic display on a smaller built-in monitor. The Atari ST was the first computer with a fully bit-mapped color GUI. It had an innovative single-chip graphics subsystem (designed by Shiraz Shivji) which shared the full amount of system memory, in alternating clock cycles, with the processor, similar to the earlier BBC Micro and the Unified Memory systems that have become common today. It was also the first home computer with integral MIDI support.
The ST was primarily a competitor to the Apple Macintosh and the Commodore Amiga systems. This platform rivalry was often reflected by the owners and was most prominent in the Demo Scene. Where the Amiga had custom processors which gave it the edge in the games and video market, the ST was generally cheaper and had a high-resolution monochrome display, ideal for business and CAD. Thanks to its built-in MIDI ports it enjoyed success as a music sequencer and controller of musical instruments among amateurs and professionals alike, being used in concert by bands such as Tangerine Dream and 90s UK dance act 808 State. In some markets, particularly Germany, the machine gained a strong foothold as a small business machine for CAD and Desktop publishing work.
The ST was later superseded by the Atari TT and Falcon computers.
Since Atari pulled out of the computer market there has been a market for powerful TOS-based machines (clones). Like most “retro” computers the Atari enjoys support in the emulator scene.
Music / Sound
The ST’s low cost, built-in MIDI ports, and fast, low-latency response times made it a favorite with musicians.
The ST was the first home computer with built-in MIDI ports, and there was plenty of MIDI-related software for use professionally in music studios, or by amateur enthusiasts. The popular Windows/Macintosh applications Cubase and Logic Pro originated on the Atari ST. Even today some people (such as Fatboy Slim) are still using the Atari ST for composing music.
Music tracker software was popular on the ST, such as the TCB Tracker, aiding the production of quality music from the Yamaha synthesizer (‘chiptunes’).
An innovative music composition program that combined the sample playing abilities of a tracker with conventional music notation (which was usually only found in MIDI software) was called Quartet (after its 4-note polyphonic tracker, which displayed one monophonic stave at a time on colour screens).
Due to the ST having comparatively large amounts of memory for the time, sound sampling packages became a realistic proposition. The Microdeal Replay Professional product featured a sound sampler that cleverly used the ST cartridge port to read in parallel from the cartridge port from the ADC. For output of digital sound, it used the on-board frequency output, set it to 128 kHz (inaudible) and then modulated the amplitude of that.
In addition to the sound sampling functionalities, the availability of software packages with MIDI support for music composition and efficient sound analysis contributed to make the Atari ST a forerunner of later computer-based all-in-one studios.
Gristleism with Atari-joystick control
circuit bent FM3 Gristleism with atari joystick control and light censer extra low pitch wobble wobble
Oldschool Atari games comes to iOS
I know there many chiptunes lovers out there and many of you have fond memories of Atari arcade and console games of the 80s. Now here’s a chance to play them again!
Atari has released a new emulator for the iPhone and iPad called Atari’s Greatest Hits [iTunes]. The free universal download comes with Pong and also offers a selection of 100 classic Atari arcade and 2600 console games for in-app purchase. The full list of games can be seen here but include Asteroids, Centipede, Crystal Castles, Gravitar, Star Raiders, Missile Command, Tempest, Battlezone, and much more. Each 4-pack is offered for $0.99 or all 100 games can be purchased for $14.99
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APC – a virtual re-creation of the popular DIY circuit the Atari Punk Console
Tek’it Audio has introduced APC – a virtual re-creation of the popular DIY circuit the Atari Punk Console. Unfortunately it is not freeware as we have come to be accoustemed to when it comes to plug-ins made by Tekít
APC is a square wave synthesizer that creates fun “low-fi” sound, and comes with users MODs.
Key Features
- Comes with modifications of the original circuit, the tone push buttons that change the tone by +/- 1 octave, a resonant highpass filter that self oscillate and a gate controller with a hold function.
- Submit new MODs online. Registered users can submit online new ideas to mod APC, based on modifications existing in the DIY scene, or their imagination.
- Easy assignation of all parameters to MIDI controllers. Click on “Learn” on the parameter, move the control on your MIDI controller, and that it.
Features:
- Square waves “low-fi” sound
- Gate MOD with hold function
- Users can submit new MODs online
- 2 users MODs available: Pitch up & down, Highpass resonant filter
- Full MIDI automation support
- Easy MIDI learn on all parameters
- Use 7-bit MIDI Continuous Controller or High resolution 14-bit MIDI NRPN and RPN
- Comes with users manual
- Easy installer
Here’s an audio demo of the APC in action:
TKA – APC “audio sample demo” by Tek’it Audio
System Requirements
- 1GHz CPU or higher with SSE
- 512MB RAM or higher
- Microsoft® Windows® 7, XP (SP2 or later), or Vista™
- VST™ 2 compatible host
Pricing and Availability
APC is available now for €10,00EUR/US $10.
Link:
iCade Brings Retro Arcade Experience to iPad
Perhaps slightly off topic but this is pretty cool, I must say, enjoy
ION Audio, ThinkGeek and Atari teamed up to create an actual retro arcade gaming experience on the iPad.
Atari Fuzz Bazooka
Get ready to be blasted by the Atari Bazooka
Stepped tone generator circuit (Atari Punk Console), fuzz circuit, LM386 amp circuit, cardboard tube, 59p toy gun
Shared by eddie23a
Cubist effects – Atari
Techno-tari 2600 Analog Synthesizer
Glitch and morph with Atari
A demonstration of our set of custom modifications for the Atari Video Music video synthesizer/audiovisualizer. The modifications involve controls to glitch out and morph the output shape/pattern, a composite video output, operation as a static image synthesizer, upgraded 1/4″ input and thru jacks for both audio inputs, and a distortion output (in which the guitar is run through in some of these clips.) For more information on purchasing a modified video music, or getting yours modified, please visit http://switchedonaustin.com/other-ins…”
Be sure to see the rest of Switched On for more. “We specialize in vintage synths, drum machines, effects, full service repair & modifications as well as computer music tools & accessories. Not to mention workshops & classes!
Pure NES and Atari
Two square-wave oscillators built into a NES advantage controller with turbo.
This is a square-wave generator with a pulsing effect, hand built into an Atari paddle controller. When you press the trigger it plays the pitch controlled by the large original knob. When you flip the switch a LFO will start to pulse on and off. The speed of the pulse is controlled by the additional smaller knob and at high speeds you can get some interesting throaty sounds.
A red LED lights with the sound. It can easily be connect to amps, effects, recording equipment, etc. At the end of the original cord is a 1/4″ plug and running from there is a wall adapter for power.
This classic feels great in your hands and residue in the old knob (that once caused annoying skips during your game) now gives you nice little distortions.
Vintage game controller and analog synthesizer all-in-one
This is a square-wave generator with a pulsing effect, hand built into an Atari paddle controller. When you press the trigger it plays the pitch controlled by the large original knob. When you flip the switch a LFO will start to pulse on and off. The speed of the pulse is controlled by the additional smaller knob and at high speeds you can get some interesting throaty sounds.
A red LED lights with the sound. It can easily be connect to amps, effects, recording equipment, etc. At the end of the original cord is a 1/4″ plug and running from there is a wall adapter for power.
This classic feels great in your hands and residue in the old knob (that once caused annoying skips during your game) now gives you nice little distortions.
DATAMASKIN
