Author Topic: The Advanced Music System - The Rob Baxter Files (1987 to 1989) (Read 14907 times)

ComSoft6128 · « **on:** 16:19, 21 September 19 »

Video 1 of 3.

The Brandenburg Concertos 1 and 2.
Transcribed on the CPC by Rob Baxter in 1987.

I would highly recommend using 4K Video Downloader (easy to use/takes minutes) to strip the audio to MP3 so that you can play it on other devices - MP3 file size is 19.1MB.

https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/4k-video-downloader

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiquNYqqvH0&t=184s

Links:

Amstrad Computer User and Amstrad Action reviews of The Advanced Music System:
https://archive.org/details/AmstradComputerUser23-1086/page/n29

https://archive.org/details/amstrad-action-013/page/n23

Rob Baxter letters to ACU and AA:
https://archive.org/details/AmstradComputerUser38-0188/page/n13

https://archive.org/details/AmstradComputerUser41-0488/page/n9

https://archive.org/details/amstrad-action-045/page/n9

Other info:

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/The_Advanced_Music_System

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=staff&lenom=Rob%20BAXTER

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandenburg_Concertos

With thanks to @Nich

Not emulated - original hardware and software.
Please note that the aspect ratio for this YouTube video is 16:9 but the CPC monitor has an aspect ratio of 4:3 so you may wish to adjust your viewing device accordingly.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #1 on:** 19:16, 22 September 19 »

Video 2 of 3.

The Brandenburg Concertos 3 and 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwoAC6Bv1HE&t=561s

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #2 on:** 20:22, 23 September 19 »

Video 3 of 3.

The Brandenburg Concertos 5 and 6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irkdhBghlnU

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #3 on:** 15:00, 28 September 19 »

A little ragtime music for the weekend.
You might be familiar with this piece of music as the theme for the movie "The Sting".

Music starts at 2.53 and finishes at 7:57

From the Rob Baxter music disc 5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8qVSl66WOE&feature=youtu.be

Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Entertainer_(rag)

Amstrad Computer User and Amstrad Action reviews of The Advanced Music System:
https://archive.org/details/AmstradComputerUser23-1086/page/n29

https://archive.org/details/amstrad-action-013/page/n23

Rob Baxter letters to ACU and AA:
https://archive.org/details/AmstradComputerUser38-0188/page/n13

https://archive.org/details/AmstradComputerUser41-0488/page/n9

https://archive.org/details/amstrad-action-045/page/n9

Other info:

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/The_Advanced_Music_System

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=staff&lenom=Rob%20BAXTER

Not emulated - original hardware and software.
Please note that the aspect ratio for this YouTube video is 16:9 but the CPC monitor has an aspect ratio of 4:3 so you may wish to adjust your viewing device accordingly.

mr_lou · « **Reply #4 on:** 22:10, 28 September 19 »

I know I tried this application once back in the day, but I don't remember much from it. I'm sure I concluded it was too complicated for me, but I must have heard "The Entertainer" at the time.

The one thing our modern CPC tracks are missing nowadays, is that oldschool feel. The simplicity... It's very cosy.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #5 on:** 18:26, 30 September 19 »

KONZERT1.LNK and KONZERT2.LNK - J S Bach's Concerto for violin and oboe - from the Rob Baxter music disc V.

Video 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGW9S4WHKRA&t=22s

Video 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjYkfEnfo9s

Not emulated - original hardware and software
Please note that the aspect ratio for this YouTube video is 16:9 but the CPC monitor has an aspect ratio of 4:3 so you may wish to adjust your viewing device accordingly.

ervin · « **Reply #6 on:** 08:58, 01 October 19 »

There is something relaxing and pure (for lack of a better word) about listening to classical music through basic AY tones.
Very nice.

Incidentally, does anyone know what the music on Tempest's main screen was?
That was a glorious piece of music.

And how about Sabre Wulf's main menu music?

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #7 on:** 18:08, 01 October 19 »

From the Rob Baxter music disc V.

"DEBUSSY.LNK - This is a medley of well known piano works by Claude Debussy. They are The Snow Is Dancing, Golliwogs Cakewalk, The Girl With The Flaxen Hair and Arabesque Number 1."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHPVjDDJDI8

Not emulated - original hardware and software
Please note that the aspect ratio for YouTube is 16:9 but the CPC monitor has an aspect ratio of 4:3 so you may wish to adjust your viewing device accordingly.

Link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Debussy

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #8 on:** 15:58, 02 October 19 »

Delightful short (2:10) piece - which you just might have heard at a wedding.

From the Rob Baxter music disc V. (1988)

"PURCELL.LNK - The 'Trumpet voluntary' , attributed to Purcell but was actually written by Jeremiah Clarke. For interest it was originally entitled 'The Prince of Denmarks March' and was written for harpsichord."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VZ14dZmNB4

Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_of_Denmark%27s_March

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trumpet_voluntary

Not emulated - original hardware and software
Please note that the aspect ratio for YouTube is 16:9 but the CPC monitor has an aspect ratio of 4:3 so you may wish to adjust your viewing device accordingly.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #9 on:** 19:42, 03 October 19 »

Two "modern" pieces from The Rob Baxter music disc V. (1988)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGsUkn-K4xA&feature=youtu.be

"SAVERS.LNK - A loose arrangement of Jean Jacques Perrey's 'The Savers' - originally composed in the seventies for the Moog synthesiser.

TAKEFIVE.LNK - Take Five by Dave Brubeck"

Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perrey_and_Kingsley

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Five

Not emulated - original hardware and software
Please note that the aspect ratio for YouTube is 16:9 but the CPC monitor has an aspect ratio of 4:3 so you may wish to adjust your viewing device accordingly.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #10 on:** 18:22, 05 October 19 »

Deleted post - Duplicate video

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #11 on:** 09:35, 08 October 19 »

From the Rob Baxter music disc II.

Rob Baxter 1987 - "I was astonished at how well Mozart's Eine kliene Nachtmusik turned out. I had originally intended it as an experiment. Just a little tryout as I had never attempted any Mozart before!
Anyway here it is. You can judge for yourself if the experiment worked or not!"

The music starts at 2:00 and finishes at 18:12.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iE5jhuzqKI&feature=youtu.be

Links:
https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=14031

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eine_kleine_Nachtmusik

Not emulated - original hardware and software
Please note that the aspect ratio for this YouTube video is 16:9 but the CPC monitor has an aspect ratio of 4:3 so you may wish to adjust your viewing device accordingly.

GUNHED · « **Reply #12 on:** 17:42, 08 October 19 »

Got the origninal at home... time to use it.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #13 on:** 10:39, 11 October 19 »

From the Rob Baxter music disc II.

Music starts at 0:09 and finishes at 3:28.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nbv503wROEE&feature=youtu.be

Not emulated - original hardware and software
Please note that the aspect ratio for this YouTube video is 16:9 but the CPC monitor has an aspect ratio of 4:3 so you may wish to adjust your viewing device accordingly.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #14 on:** 07:53, 18 October 19 »

Bach's Ricercar from the 'Musical Offering'

From the Rob Baxter Music Disc V.

These discs were available from various PD libraries in the eighties and nineties but the
Advanced Music System by Rainbird Software was required to listen to them.
Music starts at 0:19 and ends at 6:17.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSQPUlc8mZc

Links:

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/The_Advanced_Music_System

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=staff&lenom=Rob%20BAXTER

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Musical_Offering

Not emulated - original hardware and software
Please note that the aspect ratio for this YouTube video is 16:9 but the CPC monitor
has an aspect ratio of 4:3 so you may wish to adjust your viewing device accordingly.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #15 on:** 18:41, 25 October 19 »

"ORFEO.LNK - Instrumental selections from Monteverdi's opera L'Orfeo."

From the Rob Baxter music disc V.

Music starts at 0:26 and finishes at 5:58.

This piece and all the other music files previously shown were available from UK PD libraries in the eighties/nineties.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPHJuAb7scY

Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Orfeo

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/The_Advanced_Music_System

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=staff&lenom=Rob%20BAXTER

Not emulated - original hardware and software
Please note that the aspect ratio for this YouTube video is 16:9 but the CPC monitor
has an aspect ratio of 4:3 so you may wish to adjust your viewing device accordingly.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #16 on:** 07:30, 31 October 19 »

From the Rob Baxter music disc V.

When I first listened to this I was hoping for the CPC version of the theme from John Carpenter's Halloween movie

- but unfortunately it isn't that.
It seems familiar but I can't pin it down, if anyone has any info on this please share.

However, whether it is an original piece by Rob Baxter or an adaption of someone else's work doesn't lessen the fact
that it is a lovely piece of CPC music with good use of stereo throughout.

Music starts at 0:15 and finishes at 5:26. - Turn up the volume!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-U5naV5EUI

Links:

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=15042

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=staff&lenom=Rob%20BAXTER

https://archive.org/details/AmstradComputerUser23-1086/page/n29

https://archive.org/details/amstrad-action-013/page/n23

Not emulated - original hardware and software.
Please note that the aspect ratio for this YouTube video is 16:9 but the CPC monitor
has an aspect ratio of 4:3 so you may wish to adjust your viewing device accordingly.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #17 on:** 19:40, 09 November 19 »

From the Rob Baxter music disc V.

An original composition by Rob Baxter

" 'The Lost Concerto' - a piece in concerto form (i.e. a slow movement surrounded by two outer fast movements)"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7-rdHvR-f4

Links:

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=15042

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=staff&lenom=Rob%20BAXTER

https://archive.org/details/AmstradComputerUser23-1086/page/n29

https://archive.org/details/amstrad-action-013/page/n23

Not emulated - original hardware and software.
Please note that the aspect ratio for this YouTube video is 16:9 but the CPC monitor
has an aspect ratio of 4:3 so you may wish to adjust your viewing device accordingly.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #18 on:** 19:34, 10 November 19 »

From the Rob Baxter music disc 2.

"As far as the suite in B minor was concerned, all I intended to do with this work was to transcribe the delightful Badinerie. This I did.
Then I tried the Rondo and before I knew where I was, I had transcribed the whole suite of dances! So I decided to present the entire work and completed the overture. In effect the work was transcribed in reverse order!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqoo3lAByiI

Links:

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=15042

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=staff&lenom=Rob%20BAXTER

https://archive.org/details/AmstradComputerUser23-1086/page/n29

https://archive.org/details/amstrad-action-013/page/n23

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchestral_suites_(Bach)#Suite_No._2_in_B_minor,_BWV_1067

Not emulated - original hardware and software.
Please note that the aspect ratio for this YouTube video is 16:9 but the CPC monitor
has an aspect ratio of 4:3 so you may wish to adjust your viewing device accordingly.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #19 on:** 15:45, 11 November 19 »

From the Rob Baxter music disc II (1987)

This is good, this is very good.
Even if you're not a great fan of classical music (like myself) you should recognise this from movies and adverts.
Excellent use of stereo throughout the piece - you might be surprised how good the CPC can sound.

"My version of the mighty Dorian Toccata and Fugue is probably my most ambitious transcription I have ever attempted. Obviously, the great Toccata sounds a bit thin when reduced to three voices but the Fugue (I feel) works very well. Listen out for some frantic stereo switching! In the Prelude No. 2, I make extensive use of what I call my 'celestial harp' effect. I developed this technique while working on the Brandenburg Concertos and used it fairly sparingly throughout that disc. It only appears to any great extent in the final movement of No. 5. On this present disc, I have used this effect more widely. See if you can guess how it works. It is really very simple (Hint - if you listen over stereo headphones the effect is completely lost but the method becomes quite clear. This is due to the very sharp stereo separation produced by the Amstrad.) "

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzzHIgI8wjA

Links:

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=staff&lenom=Rob%20BAXTER

https://archive.org/details/AmstradComputerUser23-1086/page/n29

https://archive.org/details/amstrad-action-013/page/n23

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toccata_and_Fugue_in_D_minor,_BWV_538

Not emulated - original hardware and software.
Please note that the aspect ratio for this YouTube video is 16:9 but the CPC monitor
has an aspect ratio of 4:3 so you may wish to adjust your viewing device accordingly.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #20 on:** 08:27, 15 November 19 »

From the Rob Baxter music disc 2.

"The concerto form seems to bring out the best in me! The E Major Violin Concerto and the F minor Harpsichord concerto are in my opinion the best works on this disc! Especially the Violin Concerto. This one really makes the AY chip sing!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0Xu8vb5tUQ

Links:
https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=15042

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=staff&lenom=Rob%20BAXTER

https://archive.org/details/AmstradComputerUser23-1086/page/n29

https://archive.org/details/amstrad-action-013/page/n23

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violin_Concerto_in_E_major_(Bach)

Not emulated - original hardware and software.
Please note that the aspect ratio for this YouTube video is 16:9 but the CPC monitor
has an aspect ratio of 4:3 so you may wish to adjust your viewing device accordingly.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #21 on:** 07:16, 20 November 19 »

From the Rob Baxter music disc V.

Music begins at 2:04 and ends at 6:16

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMaExc0mQY0

Links (1):

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=15042

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=staff&lenom=Rob%20BAXTER

https://archive.org/details/AmstradComputerUser23-1086/page/n29

https://archive.org/details/amstrad-action-013/page/n23

Links (2):
Interestingly "Baa Baa Black Sheep" was also part of the earliest recorded computer music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLwjz0UR5_A

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jun/19/news.culture2

https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-37507707

Baa Baa Black Sheep
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baa,_Baa,_Black_Sheep

Not emulated - original hardware and software.
Please note that the aspect ratio for this YouTube video is 16:9 but the CPC monitor
has an aspect ratio of 4:3 so you may wish to adjust your viewing device accordingly.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #22 on:** 18:00, 24 January 20 »

The Blue Danube

Glorious.

A treat for the ears - shows the audio output of the CPC at its best.
Best to listen to using external speakers - laptop speakers just don't do it justice.

From the Rob Baxter Music Disc 3 (1987)
Music starts at 3:01 and finishes at 14:34

"THE BLUE DANUBE by Johann Strauss (1825-99) was composed in Vienna in 1867. The waltz's
full german name is- 'An der Schonen Blauen Donau' ( By The Beautiful Blue Danube ).

The version on this disc is from a piano edition.

Whenever I hear this waltz I cannot help visualizing outer space.
It might be the graceful ballet sequence in the film 2001 A Space
Oddysey which used this waltz so well... or perhaps it is just from
playing 'Elite' too often on the computer. Whatever it is, the
association is forever fixed in my mind."

Rob Baxter, September 1987

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWUNVGp9RJc

Reviews:

https://cpcrulez.fr/applications_music-the_advanced_music_system.htm?t=Vg==

https://cpcrulez.fr/applications_music-the_advanced_music_system.htm?t=VQ==

Links:

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=14032

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/The_Advanced_Music_System

Not emulated - original hardware and software.

Please note that the aspect ratio for this YouTube video is 16:9 but the CPC monitor
has an aspect ratio of 4:3 so you may wish to adjust your viewing device accordingly.

With thanks to @tjohnson

Zoe Robinson · « **Reply #23 on:** 18:34, 24 January 20 »

This is wonderful. I used to make a lot of use of The Music System back in the 8-bit era, as it was just so good. Never had the Advanced version but I think I'll have to give it a try.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #24 on:** 20:05, 24 January 20 »

Glad you like it Zoe - The William Tell Overture tomorrow

and though shorter it is also well worth listening to.

News:

Author Topic: The Advanced Music System - The Rob Baxter Files (1987 to 1989) (Read 14907 times)