Message-ID: <238@eneevax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 12-Feb-85 21:35:03 EST
Article-I.D.: eneevax.238
Posted: Tue Feb 12 21:35:03 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 16-Feb-85 06:22:06 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: U of Maryland, EE Dept., College Park, MD
Lines: 37

The latest creative computing magazine had a description of
Atari's new AMY music chip as well as descriptions of their new
machines. Here is an excerpt about the AMY music chip.

       "Features 8 fully independent multi-timbre voices
	comprised of 64 seperate and software-configurable
	oscillators which can easily change sonic
	characteristics on the fly. AMY handles 10.75 octaves
	from 4.8Hz to 7.8KHz which encompasses the range of an
	88-key piano.
	   In contrast to more conventional sound synthesis
	devices like Commodore's SID chip, AMY is based on
	digital sampling. This approach "recreates" the waveform
	rather than attempting to imitate it. AMY has a 30KHz
	digital sampling rate and a 60dB dynamic range, and runs
	of the internal clock of the XEM at 7MHz.
	   Those who have heard AMY confirm that it can
	realistically portray a wide range of musical sounds.
	Listeners report, for example that AMY simulates the
	highly distinctive "bow attack" of the cello sound with
	almost discomfiting accuracy."

I originally bought the c64 based on it's sound capabilities and
the promise of a multi SID keyboard( they never produced the
keyboard though ). This AMY chip though looks like it is 10 times
better than the SID. Some of the features are comparable to
board level products like the Mountain music system or the
Casheab music synthesizer that cost from $300 up to several thousand
dollars. If atari would come out with a keyboard based on a few of
these chips and a midi interface so that it could be controlled
by the new ST computers it would be a big hit.

BTW in the outpost atari section is a remark by sam tramiel that
the new 32 bit machine will use the 32032.
-- 
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