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The Advanced Music System - The Rob Baxter Files (1987 to 1989)

Started by ComSoft6128, 14:19, 21 September 19

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Zoe Robinson


GeoffB17

Hello,

All interesting info about TMS and AMS, but I'm wondering if there's any info about the .MUS file format?   Tried searching for things, but there are other things AMS that keep coming up.

Geoff

ComSoft6128

#27
Hi @GeoffB17 ,

Unfortunately there is no information in either the Music System or the Advanced Music System manuals regarding the file format.

An entry from cpc-power on what I think is a missing disc from the WACCI PD library contains this info:

"AMS-MIDI: converts disc files created by Rainbird's Advanced Music System (AMS) into a form useable by the program Perform. Perform then transmits the files over the MIDI interface in the RAM Music Machine. If suitable equipment (a MIDI instrument) is connected to the MIDI OUT socket of the Music Machine then the music will be played."

So it looks like someone managed to decipher the file format.

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=15492


GeoffB17

Hmm.   I assumed it was possible, the question is more how practical it might be.   

There are a number of considerations, for example, there must ne thousands of midi files about, and some of them are pretty good.   If converting a .MUS file is complicated, and there's a .MID already, then there's no point, unless there are aspects of the 'preformance' in the .MUS that is better than that in available .MID files.   And the .MUS files that you've kindly presented suggests that there are aspects of the 'performances' here that do transcend the mere sound (which by modern standards isn't too great).

I'll have to dig about and see if I can find anything about AMS-MIDI.   Otherwise I'll have to study the .MUS files I've got and see if I can 'decode' them.   I've looked inside some already, and they're nothing like midi, but I can see some data that MIGHT relate to something.

As I understand it, the .MUS files are no more than 3 part (as in left, right and center) but usually just the one 'sound' (instrument).   The system I think allowed some different sounds, but I don't think they could be played at the same time?

Geoff

ComSoft6128

#29
As these CPC files are over three decades old "modern standards" don't interest me - YouTube is awash with every possible variation of these pieces. Some good some bad - it is only the CPC output that I find of interest.

As to how Rob Baxter recorded these, reading both manuals may be of help.
I have looked for more information myself but aside from some info on his Amiga PD disks I can find nothing.


Peter

ComSoft6128

#30
The William Tell Overture Finale (March of the Swiss Soldiers)
From the Rob Baxter Music Disc 4

Another excellent transcription to the CPC - music starts at 4:29 and finishes at 7:24


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnN-j-PgBlM

With thanks to @tjohnson

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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Tell_Overture#Cultural_references

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

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=14033

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

From the Rob Baxter Music Disc 4 (May 1988)

My personal favourite here is the, familiar (and frantic), Hall of the Mountain King.

The extracts:

1. Anitra's dance - 2:43 to 6:55
2. Hall of the Mountain King - 7:00 to 9:16


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV77dZb0sa0

With thanks to @tjohnson

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=14033

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer_Gynt_(Grieg)

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

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=14033

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.

tjohnson

Good stuff, that hall of the mountain King is good, I like the ending part.

ComSoft6128

From the Rob Baxter Music Disc 4 (1988)

Background text/info 1:10 to 1:24

Music starts at 2:55 and finishes at 17:29


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMDj0wtwymc


With thanks to @tjohnson

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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhapsody_in_Blue

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

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=14033

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

#34
From the Rob Baxter Music Disc 3 (1987)

Instantly recognizable................


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdT5jun-UaE

From Wikipedia:

"In Popular Culture

The "Sabre Dance" has been used in numerous films, animated films, television series, video games, and commercials over the years, oftentimes for humorous effects. The piece's popular familiarity has been enhanced by its traditional use as accompaniment by travelling circuses and on television variety shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show when novelty acts such as plate spinners appeared.

Some notable television shows that have used it include The Jack Benny Program (1961), A Piano in the House from The Twilight Zone (1962), The Onedin Line (1971 and 1972), The Benny Hill Show (1985), Our Very First Telethon episode of Full House (1990), The Simpsons (1991), Two and a Half Men (2004), What's New, Scooby-Doo? (2004), "Peterotica" episode of Family Guy (2006), SpongeBob SquarePants (2007), and The Big Bang Theory (2009).

On June 6, 2013 on the 110th anniversary of Khachaturian's birthday a modern take of the Sabre Dance—Sabre Dance on the Street—was performed at Yerevan Cascade by Barekamutyun dance ensemble and Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra.

Films

Films in which the "Sabre Dance" was used include The Barkleys of Broadway (1949), One, Two, Three (1961), The System (1964), Amarcord (1973), Nu, pogodi! 6th episode "Countryside" (1973), Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985), Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986), Repentance (1987), Punchline (1988), Hocus Pocus (1993) Radioland Murders (1994), The Hudsucker Proxy (1994),[71] Don't Drink the Water (1994), I Married a Strange Person! (1997), Vegas Vacation (1997), A Simple Wish (1997), Blues Brothers 2000 (1998), The Lion King 1½ (2004), Kung Fu Hustle (2005), Scoop (2006), Sicko (2007), Ghost Town (2008), Witless Protection (2008), Le Concert (2009), Pájaros de papel (2010), Sabre Dance (2015).[66] In his frenzied comedy One, Two, Three, director Billy Wilder used the dance repeatedly for comic effect, including a crazed chase through East Berlin, and the chaotic closing ride to the airport featuring James Cagney and Horst Bucholz. It was also played briefly in Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted.

Video games in which the "Sabre Dance" was used include:

Road Runner (the 1985 Atari System 1 arcade version).
Sleeping Dogs on the classical Boosey and Hawkes radio station.
Final Fantasy IV, as background music for the dancing girls' routines.
Aero the Acro-Bat, as the music that plays when Aero is invincible for a short time."


With thanks to @tjohnson

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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabre_Dance

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

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=14033

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

#35
Bach - Prelude & Fugue Nos. 2 & 11

From the Rob Baxter Music Disc 2

As ever excellent use of stereo throughout.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBsiJWx17ys

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[/f

ComSoft6128

#36
A sample file from 1987 by Rob Baxter

3.5 minutes of stereo CPC bliss. Music starts at 2:19.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtCdbsAGtN4&t=11s


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

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

#37
The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba by Handel

From the Rob Baxter Music Disc 3 (1987)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vmYz5lAA44

With thanks to @Gryzor  and   @tjohnson

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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_(Handel)#Act_3

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

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

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

THREE DANCES FROM THE NUTCRACKER SUITE - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 -93)

Recorded by Rob Baxter in 1988 and played using the Advanced Music System - From the Rob Baxter Music Disc 4 (1988)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ug3c2b-89g

"These characteristic dances are some of the best known tunes from this much loved concert version of the ballet bearing the same name. Presented here are the Danse Russe Trepak (Russian Dance), Danse de la Fee-Dragee (Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy) and Danse des Mirlitons (Dance of the Reed Pipes)."

1. Russian Dance - 0:50 to 1:58

2. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy - 2:02 to 3:48

3. Dance of the Reed Pipes - 3:51 to 5:38

With thanks to @tjohnson

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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nutcracker#In_popular_culture

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

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

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

VIVALDI - The Four Seasons - Spring

Video 1 of 4

From the Rob Baxter Music Disc 3 (1987)

Recorded and played on the Advanced Music System by Rainbird Software.

Music starts at 3:48 and finishes at 14:50


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8HP5BTCju0

With thanks to @tjohnson

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:

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

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Seasons_(Vivaldi)

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

VIVALDI - The Four Seasons - Summer

Video 2 of 4

From the Rob Baxter Music Disc 3 (1987)

Recorded and played on the Advanced Music System by Rainbird Software. Music starts at 1:10 and finishes at 9:52


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNw5A7P9OQQ&t=5s


With thanks to @tjohnson

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:

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

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Seasons_(Vivaldi)

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

VIVALDI - The Four Seasons - Autumn

Video 3 of 4


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAroNOESC9I

From the Rob Baxter Music Disc 3 (1987)

Recorded and played on the Advanced Music System by Rainbird Software.

Music starts at 1:03 and finishes at 11:43

With thanks to @tjohnson

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

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Seasons_(Vivaldi)

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

VIVALDI - The Four seasons - Winter

Video 4 of 4


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWhbdDurxQM&t=31s


From the Rob Baxter Music Disc 3 (1987)

Recorded and played on the Advanced Music System by Rainbird Software.

Music starts at 1:37 and finishes at 10:02

With thanks to @tjohnson


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:

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

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Seasons_(Vivaldi)

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.





Gryzor

Heheh as I've been listening to some Vivaldi lately I really enjoyed this :)

ComSoft6128

BACH - the Goldberg Variations - Video 1 of 2

The Variations should be one video but unfortunately due to a "technical issue" has to consist of two videos.

From the Rob Baxter Music Disc IV

Transcribed to the CPC in 1988 by Rob Baxter and played using the Advanced Music System by Rainbird Software.

Music starts at 1:07 and finishes at 26:06

"About Music IV - why more Bach?
Since I completed my previous collection for the Advanced Music System, Music III, I have spent a little time thinking what I could do with the AMS that was a bit different. I suppose you could say that I was looking for a new sound. After a little soul-searching I found exactly what I was looking for in the keyboard music of my old favourite, J. S. Bach. While transcribing the Goldberg Variations, the Italian Concerto, the Chromatic Fantasia and the Two Part Inventions I discovered a lightness of tone in the Music System and the Amstrad's sound chip that I had not really been aware of before. This also comes over in the delightful Rameau suite on side two. With this disc, more than any other I've done, you MUST listen in STEREO if you possibly can.

The GOLDBERG VARIATIONS
This beautiful, transcendental work was composed in 1742. It was written (according to Forkel, Bach's first biographer) for J. T. Goldberg, a pupil of Bach's, to play to one Count Kaiserling who,it is said suffered from insomnia. Written for harpsichord with two manuals, the work comprises a highly ornamented opening Aria which is followed by thirty variations. The work should really be listened to in sequence, as a complete entity to be fully appreciated - although each individual variation will quite happily stand on its own as a work in its own right. The final variation (No. 30) is a "Quodlibet", which incorporated a couple of popular songs of the day, showing Bach, maybe, was writing with a twinkle in his eye!
The work concludes with the return of the Aria." - Rob Baxter May 1988.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftUNyi5eGWA


With thanks to @tjohnson

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 and thread at CPCWiki:

https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/applications/the-advanced-music-studio-brandenburg-concertos-1-and-2/

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

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/The_Advanced_Music_System https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=14033

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

BACH - the Goldberg Variations - Video 2 of 2

Music starts at 0:15 and finishes at 25:03


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNAwIfsI_DY&t=39s

ComSoft6128

CPC tranquility.

BACH - Sheep may safely graze


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiamAMfGQBA&t=4s


With thanks to @tjohnson

"Sheep may safely graze:-

Aria for Soprano with two recorders and figured bass from Bach's earliest Secular Cantata, entitled WAS MIR BEHAGT which was composed in 1716.
The text of the Aria compares the sense of security felt by a people governed by a wise ruler to that of sheep in the care of a reliable shepherd.
It was composed to celebrate the birthday of Duke Christian of Sachsen-Weissenfels.
In my arrangement I have chosen to, I have chosen to accentuate a particular "march" like quality in this work, which may have not been apparent before. "  - Rob Baxter May 1988.

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.cpcwiki.eu/forum/applications/the-advanced-music-studio-brandenburg-concertos-1-and-2/

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

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

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=14033

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.

tjohnson

I must say this Rob baxter chap was very talented with the advanced music system, some great tunes.  It's he still around and making musi ?

ComSoft6128

@tjohnson

I 100% agree with you that he was a very talented individual and indeed considering the limitations of the software (AMS operated in 64K) and the CPC hardware he produced some remarkable transcriptions to the CPC. He was active on the CPC scene between 1987 to 1989 before moving to the Amiga sometime in 1989 when he released his first PD disk for that machine, between 1989 - 94 he released fifteen disks of classical music for the Amiga.
Sadly, he died in 1996 at the age of just 39.
Below are some links which may be of interest:

Internet Archive

https://archive.org/search.php?query=creator%3A%22Rob+Baxter%22

Amiga

http://janeway.exotica.org.uk/author.php?id=35941

https://demozoo.org/sceners/96827/

https://www.amigapd.com/amospdmusic1.html

http://megaburken.net/~patrik/17bit-1/unpacked/540/Classix2/S/text

A tribute to Rob Baxter
http://aminet.net/package/mods/misc/Dedication1

tjohnson

Thanks, it's sad to hear he died when he was still so young.   I will look up some of his amiga music, I have one in the loft.

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