Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!decwrl!wuarchive!psuvax1!psuvm!auvm!st00482
From: ST00482@auvm.auvm.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.tech
Subject: a new music standard
Message-ID: <90304.092652ST00482@auvm.auvm.edu>
Date: 31 Oct 90 14:26:52 GMT
Organization: The American University - University Computing Center
Lines: 53

I would like to start a discussion on the replacement of the SMUS
standard.  The main reason for this is that the quality of SMUS files
is horrible compared to some of the SoundTracker modules that I have
heard.  I cringe when I see an AmigaVision module running and hear the
soundtracks they have.

   I realize that this sounds quite unorthodox, but then we all own
Amigas. :-) And I'm serious about this.  Using SMUS files for real
products, multi-media and otherwise, it's kind of like running a
Corvette on Sunoco Economy grade gas.  It works, but you don't get
near the performance that it is capable of.

Another reason why I think that a change would be good is that there
are no freely distributable programs, that I know of, that will write
SMUS files.  The only programs that I know of are DMCS and SONIX.
Having owned DMCS for several years, and a music background, I see
much to be desired.  Also these programs are quite old and have not
been updated for quite a long time. (correct me if I'm wrong)

On the other hand, MED is public domain and writes out SoundTracker
modules.  It can be located in one of the Amiga archive sites, and
everybody can get can get a copy. (Is it on a Fish Disk?) Also, there
are various versions of Sound/Noise Tracker out there, though of
dubious lineage and legality.

There are also hundreds of SoundTracker modules out there that can be
used.  Some of these are of very high quality; e.g. some of the 17bit
songs are the best I've ever heard.  There are also at least 15-20
disks of samples available.

Last, the players that I've seen for these modules work in the
vertical blank period, and so affect the CPU less than SMUS players.

                SO WHAT IS MY POINT?
I think that there should be a new standard for songs that resembles
the format that the SoundTracker modules are in.  It will offer higher
quality music, allow more people to become musicians, and be easy to
play.  The main point is that the quality of the music will be a lot
higher.

What I'm hoping is that the more traditional composers, who like and
need the standard notation will be able to get software that they can
use, but outputs files of the new standard.  Of course, this is for
the future.

So agree, disagree, but put flames in /dev/null. I just want to start
a discussion on a possible way to correct a serious deficiency that I
think exists.

dan.

chopin!dan@uunet.uu.net    --> please use.
st00482@auvm.bitnet        --> yeeeech