Welcome to AMPLINEX 002

Welcome to the second issue of AMPLINEX. In a sense, this is the first real issue as this is the first one to include member's contributions - and this was the real purpose of AMPLINEX.

We have decided to make this a Music issue and have included ten original pieces of music submitted by members. The standard is satisfyingly high with a wide variety of musical styles and imaginative use of the medium. It has been a pleasure to listen to each disc as it arrived. A particular favourite of ours is 'The Terracotta Army' (filename 'Terracb') by Michael Mellor - especially since Mr Mellor's accompanying letter expressed some worries that it might not 'reach the standard' of other contributions. The message is, don't hesitate - let your compositions be heard.

Also of particular note are two short atmospheric pieces by Jim Redfarn ('Whale' and 'Storm') - both excellent examples of concise and effective AMPLE composition.

In addition, we have another promotional track supplied by Hybrid Technology from their AMPLE compilation disc 'AMPLE Bytes Back' (reviewed in the September issue).

One appeal to all music contributors - wherever possible, please put some comments in your music programs. These could be information about the structure of the piece, how or why you wrote it or how it could be changed. Good examples in this issue are 'Fyer' by Roy Atkins and 'Nitrawl' by Richard Bettis.

Use of the word 'info' to contain such text seems to be an accepted standard and we would suggest that it is NOT displayed automatically every time the music is played. Please note that the words '?info' and '?' are AMPLINEX control words added to each program and not the author's comments.

Several members have queried the position of AMPLINEX and copyright. The latest information about this is contained in the Update part of this section, but the main message at the moment is - please send in music even if it is not your own copyright but please ensure you credit the copyright owner(s).

The good response in music programs has persuaded us to postpone the BBC keyboard utility mentioned in the previous issue, but the utility for creating title screens is included in this issue.

There is also an interesting feature on the ACT command by Andy Thomas with an example program to illustrate the points made.

We hope you enjoy this issue as much as (or more than) the first, and look forward to your contributions to the first issue of 1988.

Kevin Doyle, Roy and Jackie Follett