PLAY - REDUX

[Jbizzel]

Nearly 2 years ago, @TMD2003 set out a challenge to use the PLAY command in 128k to produce a song. I have lost the post, and cannot find it - so I have made another post - this!

Well sir - I say to thee:

Code: Select all

10 PRINT "Challenge accepted...": GO TO 10

Code: Select all

5 REM Little Whale Explores the Calm Sea
10 LET a$="T160O4N 8&&5g&G7#F5D7E5b8a 8&&5g&G7#F5A8BE 8DD3DagabC8b&5&&EBAG 3#FEDCba7D5g7#f5d7e5&8g&G"
20 LET b$="T160O3N 8gDA&&& gDA&&& DDD&cd#F ECb5aB8Ag&"
30 LET c$="T160O4N 8&&5d&&8&&& &&5d&&8&&& 8Ca3b&&&&&8b&&& 8&7g5&8&d&D"
200 PLAY a$,b$,c$\#013

which is this....



Although I've messed up a bit at the end.

What I learnt

Play is a lot better than I realised.
These pages help a lot https://worldofspectrum.org/ZXSpectrum1 ... 28p12.html
And it was quite a fun challenge.

The piece I choose should be played with the peddle pressed down the whole time. I'm not sure how to achieve that. So any advice for how to improve this music - with the introduction of dynamics or simulating the peddle?

Also - It could be a fun challenge, so I invite anyone to share some play sound effects of music examples - It would be nice to see them.

FINALY

Are you like me, and have a 48k with an AY chip and fear you will miss out?? Well fear not! because this challenge is for you too.

I searched high and low for the .PLAY ESXDOS command - but it seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth (If you can share it, please DM me). However, I found SOFT PLAY which is some ways is better:

https://worldofspectrum.org/forums/disc ... 8-basic/p1

[ParadigmShifter]

Looks like you need to use U. V and W commands according to this for pedal effects

http://fizyka.umk.pl/~jacek/zx/doc/man128/sp128p13.html

You probably want the W3 effect on everything if you want the sustain pedal on all the time? The pedal you are after does not dampen the note when you release a key I think (that's what it sounds like from the video).

I think the notes on each channel don't sustain once you start playing another one on the same channel though (in Basic anyway?) so maybe it's useless for that. I never had a 128K or an AY chip.

I dunno if you can set up a reverb buffer using MIDI or anything.

[Jbizzel]

Thanks - I think a little use of that function improves things...

anyway - here is a chilled tap file that will play AY on your favorite 48k (AY enabled) computer - merry charismas

https://jbizzel.itch.io/little-whale-ex ... e-calm-sea

[+3code]

Nice. Time ago I started with a "mid2play" utility project, but abandoned it. Still I think could be an interesting thing.

[Jbizzel]

I just updated the Tubular Bells from 1988 by Ignacio P. Garcia - I've uploaded it to the same itch page.

It now works on 48k

I've had it on my divide for years and not been able to listen to it until now.

Who needs 128k anyways??

[1024MAK]

Nearly 2 years ago, @TMD2003 set out a challenge to use the PLAY command in 128k to produce a song. I have lost the post, and cannot find it

Do you mean here? Or over on t'other forum?

Mark

PS count me out, I can't even manage to play the triangle in tune

[Jbizzel]

Hehe you found it - yes that's it!

Sound effects also welcome;)


Am I right in thinking that Play is like beep in that you can't do other things while the music is playing?

Merry Christmas

[1024MAK]

The AY sound chip is quite happy to play a note per channel or make a noise without bothering the processor (well until the next change of note or change of attenuation level) unlike the ULA bleeper.

However, not having played with the PLAY command much, I can't remember if that has an interrupt driven system or not.

Mark

[Jbizzel]

given that it doesn't want to break into basic while a tune is playing - I assume you can't?!




lol.

[AndyC]

However, not having played with the PLAY command much, I can't remember if that has an interrupt driven system or not.

No, PLAY blocks until the tune is complete, which is a bit crappy but probably the result of trying to bodge it onto the existing BASIC system without changing the interrupt handling massively.