Hybrid Technology Q&A

In the previous issue of AMPLINEX we asked members to send in questions to be put to Hybrid Technology in a special Questions and Answers feature. We received questions on a wide variety of subjects and we are grateful to Chris Jordan of Hybrid Technology for his rapid response.

Question: When do Hybrid plan to support the Music 2000's MIDI IN facility? Will this support include the ability to send system-exclusive messages to request the MIDI instrument to dump voice or pattern data, via the MIDI IN socket, to disc?

Answer: We don't currently have definite plans for MIDI IN support software. Any low-level support words should certainly be able to receive system exclusive dumps, and voice storage would be an important utility application of the Music 2000.

We still want to hear from users who have developed their own MIDI IN routines.

Question: Will Hybrid ever bring out a ROM containing the standard fixed modules or produce a Sideways RAM version of the software to free up the main memory for user programs?

Answer: Complete Nucleus modules in ROM are just not possible, just as BASIC program ROMs are not. We do hope to make use of Sideways RAM for some increase in user memory in the future.

Question: Have there been any up-issues to the AMPLE Nucleus ROM?

Answer: No, though the Electron Music 5000 has a different version.

Question: Have Hybrid any plans to add a facility to allow drum parts to be entered via pads direct into the Recorder?

Answer: No.

Question: Have Hybrid considered the possibility of running a weekend course on the Music System - something practical rather than technical?

Answers: We have run courses for hundreds of teachers in school consortia and education authorities, but don't see a place for Hybrid-run users’ courses (note Acorn's recent blunder in this department).

Question: Is there enough room in the BBC B's memory for any more add-ons such as a sampler?

Answer: Though the Master, and BBC B with Sideways RAM, have considerable further potential for music, certainly there is insufficient RAM for sample storage - even 1Mb is not enough for real musical applications (as the Archimedes illustrates very well).

Question: Will Hybrid ever let us into the secret of creating our own modules from AMPLE programs?

Answer: Probably to a limited extent, for instrument libraries etc., but this will not include the additional non-user-program facilities of the full AMPLE Development System, for reasons of commercial competition.

Question: Are there any plans to make the Hybrid Music System compatible with the Archimedes?

Answer: No. I don't think many would seriously expect us to even consider it until the machine is somewhere near finished - 12 months? 18? Those who remember the 'musical OS ROMs' game of 1981 can no doubt guess what is in store for brave front-line Arc purchasers!

Question: Would it be possible to use the synthesiser to create human speech?

Answer: Yes, at least by compressed-sample replay, but not, I think, by true modelling.

Question: Can you please explain the capabilities and advantages of the Music 2000 in relation to other products (e.g. the EMR MIDI system) given that the prospective buyer already has knowledge of AMPLE.

Answer: Generally, the Music 2000 allows MIDI instruments to be used as expansions to a computer, whereas the other type of MIDI interface product aims to employ the computer as an expansion of a MIDI instrument. Probably the only useful comparison is between systems as a whole rather than individual boxes - but does it make sense to compare a computer (plus extras) to an instrument (plus extras)? Interestingly, the MIDI interface itself only makes its presence felt through its limitations: an ideal MIDI interface would be of no more importance to a music system than a RS232 interface is to a DTP system.

In particular, if the Hybrid Music System suits a given user better than a MIDI keyboard, a System with a Music 2000 will do so even more than an instrument-based MIDI 'system'. I doubt any satisfied Hybrid user would consider the latter a satisfactory substitute, but don't take my opinion - ask other AMPLINEX members (especially about the particular brand you mention).

For a fuller answer see the review of the Music 2000 by Ian Waugh in the October 1988 edition of Sound on Sound magazine.

Question: On the Music 500 one could design one's own waveforms - when will this facility be available on the Music 5000?

Answer: One day, one day.

Note: we have ceased promotion of the SoundSculptures Wave Designer due to unanswered evidence of problems of supply, but the product itself is still to be recommended.

Question: Is there any possibility of Hybrid offering AMPLINEX members a discount on its products?

Answer: Sorry, no. However, we would very much like to sell the AMPLINEX music albums, which could (in theory) have some of the same net effect. I'm sure this would not reduce the desirability of membership, and would in fact promote the idea very effectively.

Question: Early versions of the Music 5000 promotional literature showed screen shots of a menu with an option called 'Microphone Input'. There was also a magazine article mentioning Hybrid's development of a microphone tracking option for the Music 5000 to allow synthesiser voices to follow the pitch of external instruments (or the voice). Does Hybrid have any plans to resurrect this idea?

Answer: We made and demonstrated a working microphone input add-on prototype, but development was halted in 1986, and this is unlikely to appear as a product in this form. Frankly, though the unit works well, the whole principle is not as useful as you might expect.

Question: Over the last few months, attention has been drawn through AMPLINEX to some inaccuracies and lack of full explanations in the Music 5000 and Music 4000 User Guides. Does Hybrid intend to issue revised editions of, or supplements to, these manuals?

Answer: Inaccuracies? Why does no-one tell us of these? I still haven't found AMPLINEX's reported lexicographic error in the AMPLE Nucleus Programmer Guide!

We correct errors at the very next opportunity - the 5000, 4000, 2000 guides and ANPG are now in issues 6, 3, 3, and 2. Only once has an erratum sheet been necessary (5000 User Guide issue 1), and the other amendments are not enough to justify replacement copies (F.O.C. or otherwise).

There will inevitably be places where fuller explanations may be wished for, but most are beyond the scope of the (existing) respective publications. However, it seems that many users don't read all of what IS there - many recipients of early 'Studio 5000' discs still seem unaware of the auto-RUN/auto-mix facility added by, and documented with, their subsequent Studio 5000-4 discs - I hope AMPLINEX can help put this to rights.

Editor's note: Thank you to all those members who contributed questions for this feature. On the question of publishing AMPLINEX music discs which is raised above - we shall be making an announcement on this in a future issue of AMPLINEX.